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No. H024/02
For release March 13, 2002
FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR FOUR
INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEMS PROJECTS IN ALBERTA
OTTAWA - Health Minister Anne McLellan, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette,
today announced that the Government of Canada has committed $1 million
for four cost-shared projects in Alberta under Transport Canada’s
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Deployment and Integration Plan.
“These projects will help to accelerate the deployment and integration of
ITS in Alberta,” said Ms. McLellan. “Funding for these projects will help
make Alberta’s transportation system safer and more integrated, efficient,
productive and environmentally responsible.”
In Alberta:
- The Alberta Ministry of Transportation will receive $250,000 for the
assessment and development of an Advanced Traveller Information and Traffic
Management Systems Blueprint for Highway 2 between Edmonton and Calgary
which will improve traffic flow between these cities.
- The Alberta Ministry of Transportation will also receive $250,000 for the
deployment of Variable Message Signs along Highway 2, in the vicinity of Red Deer.
This will provide better road information to drivers.
- The City of Calgary will receive $250,000 to expand its Traffic Signal
Priority System and Automatic Vehicle Tracking System for Calgary transit
buses to enhance the efficiency of the city’s public transit system.
- The City of Edmonton will receive $250,000 for deployment of a video
traffic management system that provides information to various departments,
and a traveller information system that provides live and still image data
via cable television and Internet. Implementing these systems will lead to
improved traffic flow.
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.
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.
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