No. H106/05
For release May 13, 2005

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND NEW BRUNSWICK 
TO FUND INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

OTTAWA — Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, along with New Brunswick Transportation Minister Paul Robichaud, today announced the signing of a contribution agreement between the Governments of Canada and New Brunswick for the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems.

Intelligent Transportation Systems consist of a broad range of technologies designed to make transportation safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.

"The implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems in New Brunswick will help improve the efficiency of our highway system," said Minister Scott. "This is great news for businesses who are dependent on getting their goods to market in a cost-effective and timely manner."

"Intelligent Transportation Systems can improve the safety and security of our transportation system while enhancing economic productivity and minimizing negative impacts on the environment," said Mr. Lapierre. "This agreement demonstrates both the Government of Canada’s and the Government of New Brunswick’s commitment to improving the transportation system in Atlantic Canada."

"The use of Intelligent Transportation Systems technology provides for innovative solutions that enhance highway safety and efficiency for users in New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada," said Mr. Robichaud. "The department has taken a positive approach with ITS deployment within our transportation system. The installation of weigh-in-motion technology is a key component of our overall scale strategy and plays a significant role in assisting enforcement officials in the protection of public infrastructure."

Under the agreement, $416,000 of federal funding has been allocated for the installation of weigh-in-motion systems at two locations along the National Highway System in New Brunswick. The Province of New Brunswick will contribute $978,703 to the project.

This new technology weighs and measures commercial vehicles without requiring them to stop at roadside weigh stations and allows enforcement agencies to pre-screen for compliance with roadside clearance requirements. It will also provide the base technology for data collection required to begin implementation of the Intelligent Transportation Systems/Commercial Vehicle Operations Deployment Plan for New Brunswick. This plan will define strategies for a coordinated approach to the deployment of commercial vehicle operations technologies throughout the province.

Federal funding will be provided under the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, a $600 million program to improve highway infrastructure across Canada. Part of this funding – $100 million – is for initiatives that better integrate the country’s transportation system. One of these is the Intelligent Transportation Systems initiative, which includes applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response management and vehicle safety.

Funding for this program is provided for in the existing financial framework.

A backgrounder with further information on Intelligent Transportation Systems is attached.

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BACKGROUNDER

INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

Intelligent Transportation Systems are a broad range of diverse technologies applied to the transportation system to make it safer, more efficient, more reliable and more environmentally friendly, without necessarily having to physically alter existing infrastructure. Since 1999, Transport Canada has been promoting these systems aggressively and has committed more than $20 million in support of projects and research in Canada.

The field of Intelligent Transportation Systems encompasses new products and information and communications technologies for the development, operation and management of the transportation system. They include applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response management and vehicle safety. They all have in common the application of advanced technologies, including information processing, communications, and sensing and control — technologies that put transportation systems at the core of an innovation revolution.

The Government of Canada’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Plan for Canada: En Route to Intelligent Mobility (1999) sets out the strategy for stimulating the development and deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems across urban and rural Canada. More information on that plan can be found on the Intelligent Transportation Systems website http://www.its-sti.gc.ca/en/its_plan_for_canada.htm. The goals are to maximize the use and efficiency of existing infrastructure and meet future mobility needs more responsibly. The Intelligent Transportation Systems Plan provides leadership and support to advance the application and compatibility of Intelligent Transportation Systems technologies and to increase the safety, integration, efficiency and sustainability of Canada's transportation system.

For further information, please visit the Intelligent Transportation Systems website. www.its sti.gc.ca.

May 2005