No. H022/02 For release
March 13, 2002

FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR FIVE
INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
PROJECTS IN THE GREATER TORONTO AREA

OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette, today announced that the Government of Canada has committed approximately $1.25 million for five cost-shared projects in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) under Transport Canada's Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Deployment and Integration Plan.

"Deploying and integrating ITS in all modes of transportation across the country is a priority," said Mr. Collenette. "Funding for these projects will help make the GTA's transportation system safer and more integrated, efficient, productive and environmentally responsible."

In the GTA:

• GO Transit will receive $250,000 to develop and deploy a Rail Operations Information Network, to monitor GO Transit's rail operations, and to distribute the information on service status to passengers, GO Transit staff, and business staff. This will help improve the efficiency of the system.
• GO Transit will also receive $243,425 for enhancements to its Smartcard-based fare collection system to prepare it for use by other transit service providers in the Greater Toronto Area. Implementing this system will facilitate better integration among the GTA's transit providers.
• The City of Toronto will receive $250,000 to help establish a Road Access and Disruption Management Program system to manage disruptions to the arterial and expressway road network in Toronto. This will improve traffic flow and help reduce congestion.
• York Region Transportation and Works Department will receive $250,000 to design and deploy a Transit Priority System along selected transit routes operated by the region to improve the efficiency of the region's transportation routes.

The Regional Municipality of Durham will receive $250,000 to develop an Incident Management System for Brock Road, the eastern terminus of Highway 407 and the primary link to Highway 401 east of Toronto. This will improve traffic flow and allow for quicker emergency response.

There is a need to modernize and optimize Canada's transportation system to achieve the high level of mobility demanded today. Intelligent Transportation Systems can transform the way we build, manage and operate the transportation system. ITS include advanced systems for: public transit, traffic management, traveller information and vehicle control, commercial vehicle and fleet management, and rural transportation. They also include the application of advanced technologies, including information processing, communications, and sensing and control.

"Stimulating development and deployment of ITS through partnerships is an important step in demonstrating the Government of Canada's commitment to innovative advances in transportation technology," said Mr. Collenette.

Funding for these projects comes as part of the Government of Canada's Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP), which was announced on April 3, 2001. The funds identified under SHIP will be used to continue to advance the deployment of ITS across Canada. Final approval is subject to the successful conclusion of a contribution agreement between the Government of Canada and the recipients.

For more information, refer to Transport Canada’s ITS web site at www.its-sti.gc.ca.

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Contact:

Brian McGregor
Communications, Ottawa
(613) 991-3409

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