No. H070/00
For release September 28, 2000

FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR
INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEMS PROJECTS AND STRATEGIC PLAN

OTTAWA — The Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, Minister responsible for Quebec, on behalf of the Minister of Transport, the Honourable David Collenette, today announced that the federal government has committed $333,000 for two cost-shared projects in Quebec under Transport Canada’s Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Deployment and Integration Plan. An additional $250,000 will be provided to the province for the development of an ITS strategic plan.

“These projects will improve Quebec’s transportation system by making it safer and more integrated, efficient, productive and environmentally responsible,” said Minister Gagliano. “This funding program will help to accelerate the deployment and integration of ITS in all modes of transportation across the country.”

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. 

In Quebec:

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.

“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’s 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.

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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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