No. H090/03
For release August 27, 2003

TRANSPORT MINISTER ANNOUNCES 
MAJOR STEP TOWARD NATIONAL
ROAD WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEM

OTTAWA - Transport Minister David Collenette today announced a major step forward in the development of a cross-Canada integrated network of Road Weather Information Systems.

“These systems will provide critical weather information for road maintenance crews to help determine if, when, and how best to salt roads,” said Mr. Collenette. “This will contribute significantly to the enhancement of road safety and travel efficiency while respecting the environment.”

Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) are automated weather reporting stations with special sensors embedded in and below the road, and on nearby towers. These systems collect detailed data on weather conditions at and near the road surface, which can assist weather forecasters in predicting icing conditions.

Transport Canada is now starting funding negotiations with the provinces and territories for the development of a cross-Canada RWIS network. The department will pay up to 50 per cent of eligible costs relating to the acquisition and installation of the system components, subject to the successful conclusion of contribution agreements with the provinces and territories. The provinces and territories are expected to pay the balance, as well as the ongoing operation and maintenance costs.

Federal funding will be provided through the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) portion of the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP). In the February 2000 Budget Speech, the Government of Canada committed to improving the economy and the quality of life for Canadians by investing $600 million on highway infrastructure across Canada.

Part of the SHIP funding - $100 million - will go to initiatives that better integrate the country’s transportation system. One of these is the ITS 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 built into the existing financial framework.

A backgrounder with further information is attached.

- 30 -

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at  apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.

BACKGROUNDER

ROAD WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) are automated weather reporting stations with special sensors embedded in and below the road, and on nearby towers. These systems collect detailed data on weather conditions at and near the road surface, which can assist weather forecasters in predicting icing conditions. Road maintenance crews can use “real-time” road weather information to decide if road treatment is necessary, when to treat, what chemicals or mixtures to use, and how much is required.

RWIS has two major benefits. First, by enabling maintenance crews to treat roads in advance of icing conditions, winter driving safety can be enhanced. Second, by reducing the overall amount of road salt used, it can help mitigate the negative impact of road salt on the environment.

Canada already has more than 150 roadside sensor sites, installed by various jurisdictions. Since these sensors were installed at different times using different technologies, jurisdictions cannot all share information. An integrated system will provide consistent weather information for all jurisdictions. With the implementation of a national RWIS, Canada will be a world leader in large-scale, integrated road weather technology.

Since 1999, Transport Canada has encouraged the provinces and territories to work together to create a cross-Canada RWIS network. To that end, a technical working group was established to develop a proposal for the development and implementation of a network of high quality road weather systems that would be installed on the National Highway System. The group included members from Transport Canada, Environment Canada and the provinces and territories.

The federal government is negotiating with the provinces and territories to finalize contribution agreements that will provide the financial support for these systems. Once the agreements are in place, construction of the environmental sensor sites along the National Highway System can begin. The negotiations, construction and activation are expected to take up to three years.

 August 2003