No. H067/00
For release September 28, 2000

TRANSPORT MINISTER ANNOUNCES 
$3 MILLION FOR INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION 
SYSTEMS PROJECTS AND STRATEGIC PLANS

OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette today announced that the federal government has committed approximately $3 million to 19 cost-shared projects under Transport Canada’s Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Deployment and Integration Plan.

“Canada has been a leading player in the development of ITS applications for many years and continues to be a key player in this fast-growing industry,” said Mr. Collenette. “The ITS Plan provides the leadership and support needed to help to make Canada’s transportation system safer and more integrated, efficient, productive and environmentally responsible.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) include advanced systems for: traffic management, traveller information and vehicle control; commercial vehicle and fleet management; public transit and rural transportation. They all include the application of advanced technologies, including information processing, communications, and sensing and control, that enhance Canada’s transportation system.

As part of the 19 projects selected for funding, five regions across Canada will receive a total of $663,050 to fund the development of ITS strategic plans by provincial and territorial governments. The Atlantic provinces, who are preparing a coordinated strategy, will receive $250,000, Quebec will receive $250,000, Manitoba will receive $75,000, Saskatchewan will receive $38,050, and the Yukon will receive $50,000.

“The Government of Canada is committed to the implementation of a comprehensive ITS strategy for Canada,” said Mr. Collenette. “Stimulating deployment of ITS through partnerships among the public, private and academic sectors is an important step forward in demonstrating how Canada can benefit from these innovative advances in transportation technology.

Funding for these projects comes as part of the federal government Intelligent Transportation Systems Plan for Canada: En Route to Intelligent Mobility, which was announced in November 1999. The plan sets out the Government of Canada’s strategy for stimulating the development and deployment of ITS across urban and rural Canada. Final approval is subject to the successful conclusion of a contribution agreement. The eligible recipients include Canadian provinces and territories, municipalities, private enterprises, and not-for-profit organizations.

For more information, refer to Transport Canada’s web site at www.tc.gc.ca/pol/en/its/menu_e.htm.

A summary of the successful projects and level of cost-shared funding is attached.

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Contact: 

Robert Greenslade
Communications, Ottawa
(613) 990-6055

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca.
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BACKGROUNDER

PROPOSALS SELECTED FOR ITS 
FUNDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000/2001

ITS Strategic Plans and Planning Studies

A total of $663, 050 will be provided to five regions across Canada for the development of ITS strategic plans by provincial and territorial governments, including $250,000 for a regional plan by the Atlantic provinces, $250,000 for Quebec, $75,000 for Manitoba, $38,050 for Saskatchewan, and $50,000 for the Yukon.

The Greater Toronto Services Board will receive $60,000 for the development of an ITS strategic plan for the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton-Wentworth.

The Manitoba Department of Highways and Government Services will receive $11,100 for Phase II of the Mid-Continent International Trade Corridor Intelligent Transportation Systems/Commercial Vehicle Operations Assessment and Deployment Study. This project will examine the feasibility of a corridor transportation information system.

TransLink (British Columbia) will receive $75,000 to conduct an evaluation of ITS to be used in a 20-km bus rapid transit system (Richmond-Vancouver Bus Rapid Transit — 98B Line).

Deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems

St. John’s Transportation Commission (Metrobus) will receive $250,000 for the design and implementation of a global positioning system (GPS)-based automatic vehicle location system for the city’s transit system.

The City of Regina will receive $249,400 to install new traffic control equipment at certain intersections along the section of the TransCanada Highway passing through Regina.

The Regional Municipality of York will receive $250,000 for the design and pilot deployment of a corridor traffic management system for the key arterial corridors across York region.

The City of Peterborough will receive $250,000 for the design and pilot deployment of an integrated traffic signal control and bus priority system.

The City of Calgary Police Service Traffic Section will receive $250,000 for the implementation of the automated red-light enforcement safety initiative, which will use cameras installed at priority intersections in Calgary to monitor drivers who run red lights.

Strait Crossing Development Inc. will receive $12,400 for the implementation of the Confederation Bridge Traveller Information Radio System to disseminate information concerning travel conditions to motorists on the bridge.

System Integration Projects

The City of Toronto will receive $250,000 to deploy a centre-to-centre data exchange network. This will initially link the RESCU and COMPASS Advanced Traffic Management System operations centres, and will eventually link the area’s transport and emergency agencies.

Pilot Projects Involving Public-Private Partnerships

The Alternative Transportation Options Association of Toronto will receive $250,000 for Integrated Mobility Systems; a multi-modal, multi-application, smart-card initiative.

The Société de transport de l’Outaouais will receive $250,000 for the development of a strategic ITS plan and pilot deployment of dynamic message signs at bus stops in the Outaouais.

Globis Data Inc. will receive $83,000 to create, deploy and evaluate a Drivers’ Real-time Intelligent Vehicle Service (D.R.I.V.E.S. TM) in Montreal. This will result in a map showing sections of highways colour-coded by the speed of traffic.

Paradigm Transportation Solution Ltd. will receive $96,000 for the development, integration and deployment of travel demand management programs within the central Waterloo region.