EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are the set of technologies used to collect, manage, analyze and present knowledge about areas of the earth (Dueker and Kjerne, 1988). While there have been many fields making use of this technology, it is only recently that it has been applied to Transportation. The application of GIS to transportation is now commonly known as GIS-T. Through utilizing this intelligent map base, users and managers can visualize a problem and allow the appropriate software to assist with final decisions.

Based on the world wide success of several Intelligent Digital Map data suppliers along with the corresponding technology that utilize it, GIS-T (Geographic Information Systems for Transportation) cannot be overlooked as a key component technology/Industry for ITS. Companies like Navigation Technologies (Navtech) and ETAK have made significant revenues from supplying navigational map databases to end users for many uses. These uses range from Route guidance and En-route driver information to Emergency management, Commercial Vehicle operations and incident management. As a result, the assisting technologies have flourished as well. Manufacturers of In-Vehicle systems such as Sony, Toshiba and Zexel have developed technologies that are coupled with Global Positioning Systems (GPS), to give users accurate routing information. It is also said over the next few years, this industry will grow to include real time traffic information for origin - destination planning, which will incorporate newer technologies such as the Internet and roadside communications networks.

Canada has many strengths that can be used to build an offering for GIS-T within the ITS marketplace. Our mapping expertise is unprecedented. Through having some of the most highly rated university programs in geomatics, and participating in world wide standards activities, Canada has created a world renowned talent base. Building on this expertise has resulted in the creation of comprehensive map bases throughout Canada, many of which are currently being used for applications such as Emergency Services Dispatch. Other areas that are currently being developed with GIS-T are:

• Traffic Management Centers - Using a dynamic display for traffic conditions.



• Tourist Information Applications - Incorporating tourist attraction information with mapping data can route a user from origin to destination with little hassle.



• Transit Routing - Through a GPS interface and central computer vehicles can be kept to a schedule and guided along the best possible route.

Although there is a wealth of talent available to develop a Canadian GIS-T market, the biggest weakness is the ability to build and enhance this expertise specifically for the ITS market. There are three main causes contributing to this current situation.

• 1. Companies wishing to pursue the data reselling market, have had trouble due to the governments crown copyright and revenue generating policies. These policies have created an environment, where in order to sell a copy of any government data, royalties must be included. This is compounded even further when multiple copyrights are needed to meet a navigable data specification. As a result, the cost of selling the data becomes very high. The United States has overcome this problem through licensing data on a "one time only: basis, eliminating the need to constantly pay money back to the crown. This has created a flourishing GIS-T data business, which has also developed core industry knowledge that can be repeated elsewhere.



• 2. There is currently no regulatory body to assist with the Public / Private promotion of Canadian industry, partnerships and standards. This has lead Canadian business looking to the US for guidance on issues such as standards etc. As a result, there is not way to address issues that may be purely Canadian. Partnerships have also been the strength of some other countries, where many organizations have banded together to create complex solutions. One such example is combining data with hardwre to help sell In-Vehicle terminals.



• 3. The last key weakness is a direct cause for the first two. The lack of government involvement to date in solving the identified issues, has caused the GIS-T market to be weak. Without the government being directly involved in helping develop the ITS market, talent cannot be enhanced locally. The data issues mentioned above are symptomatic of the shortsightedness. Revenue generation being a priority, while industry development is overlooked. There is no funding for Research and Development programs at Canadian universities, and industry organizations are not promoted. Maybe, Canada should examine what the US Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) is doing via it's participation in ITS initiatives.

With only a few hurdles to overcome, the GIS-T applications for ITS industry has great potential for Canadian companies. As the market is very dynamic with new technologies introduced constantly, an application that may seem very attractive today could be non-existent tomorrow. However, given the current talent base and expertise in existing projects, there are many opportunities that Canadians can pursue. They are:

• Systems Integration - Although Canadians have not greatly developed the core technologies such as In-Vehicle terminals or GPS Units, they do have a fair amount of experience tying them together. As a result, there is a great potential for the talented base of Canadian integrators experienced in GIS-T and other technologies, to export their knowledge to the global market.



• Emergency Management - With almost every major city in Canada using a map based Emergency dispatching system. The next logical step is towards integrating the traffic management centers into a more extensive system. This will sprout new applications for on-line road condition information, and routing for emergency and civilian vehicles to avoid congestion.



• Internet - As this technology evolves, so too does it's potential for the GIS-T and ITS marketplace. This may be a method for users to query road conditions, tourist information etc. before leaving for a destination.



• Commercial Vehicle Operations - Although most of this expertise currently comes from the US, the development of this key market is still very young. The incorporation of mapping information and GPS will play a big part in the creation of this application. It could save transportation and delivery companies millions in lost time through inaccurate routing and scheduling.



• GIS-T Data providers - As already proven in other parts of the world, where data companies have played a key role in the creation of a profitable navigable database, this opportunity can be very lucrative. Should these providers succeed, so too will be the developers of the technologies that use the information. i.e. In-Vehicle terminals, Internet providers etc.



• Standards - As mentioned previously, our knowledge of the geographic data standards is unprecedented within the GIS industry. Having been looked upon as the country with the most credibility in this area, we have the opportunity to play a roll in establishing the GIS-T standard.



• Tourism - As Tourism falls into Canada's top ten industries, it only makes sense that there also lie a potential opportunity for GIS-T and ITS. One of the biggest problems for tourists in a foreign city is knowing were to go. A map base that can dynamically tell you were you are and how to get to your destination would be invaluable. Having already created a map based application for tourism in Ontario, the application will guide the travelers from one destination to another through a portable hand held unit. The ability to update the units electronically will keep the information current, preventing the information from being out of date. A problem tourists have with current paper maps. Advertising could also be a contributing factor to the business case.

In order for Canada to succeed in the GIS-T for ITS applications arena, a few actions must be taken. These actions will help to open this marketplace so that potential companies may be able to buy and sell data profitably, while also creating an environment where other technologies that rely on this data may succeed. Five possible actions to be able to achieve the proper success are as follows:

• 1. Create a National Digital Road Map at an accuracy meeting ITS application needs, and have it administered through one body, with input form all the stakeholders.
• The National Road Map must be made to navigable accuracy, and cover all known roads, highways and streets, at least within major urban areas. The stakeholders will be all government agencies that utilize a street network of any kind.
• This activity will require the investigation of the various sources of the data across Canada to confirm the feasibility of such a map product. This could happen as a Public/Private venture where the end result benefits Canadian business. Recommendations should cause the least amount of impact on the current working environment for government, but should foster the development of the industry.



• 2. In addition to the initiative above, there needs to be a data standard through which the above national dataset can be administered. This activity will require a review of existing programs created for GIS-T data standards, including programs outside Canada. Other activities include:
• Define the various organizations involved in standards development and develop a flow chart indicating the necessary linkages and interactions among the players
• Establish a process for defining user needs and developing data standards to address these needs
• Establish a process for doing a standards inventory and setting up a clearinghouse of existing standards, maintained by one agency. ITS Canada?



• 3. Recognize ITS Canada as a regulatory association, put in place to help lead the development of an ITS industry in cooperation with Governments of Canada.
• Reestablishing ITS Canada would promote the general development of the ITS industry in Canada and help address the issues from a Canadian perspective. It can be created as a medium though which Canadian firms may operate, evolve business alliances and ensure compatibility locally and with the rest of the world. This would include establishing working groups to propose and advise on current issues for strategic planning.



• 4. The Government needs to review its data access/ownership policies and programs and assess to what degree they may hamper the quick start required for the ITS industry in Canada.
• As established during the report, one of the largest issues impeding the development of GIS-T in the ITS marketplace, is the current data access/ownership policies within all levels of government. As there is no National Digital Road Database that has been built to navigation specifications, the ability to develop and implement applications that utilize a proper map database is impossible. This is due to the inability for all government data sources to release their portion of what could be an integral part of the overall database. As data is viewed as an asset, the crown copyright becomes necessary to ensure that some investment can be recovered and ownership maintained. Although this is an honorable approach, it currently inhibits the creation and distribution of the data needed for GIS / ITS applications As a result, Crown Copyright and Data ownership policies should be reviewed to eliminate the barriers currently in place.



• 5. Establish a program to help the research and development of GIS-T for ITS applications.
• Due to the fact that other countries are heavily supporting their ITS Industries through University research programs, Canada must keep up. As this industry is constantly changing, having young talent constantly researching new technologies is very important to future growth. Since Canada are already the leaders in Geomatics, there is no reason private sector companies could not become the premier developers of such related technologies, through partnerships with funded universities and colleges.
• The GIS-T technology for ITS applications industry is very exciting one. GIS-T technology's glamour centers around graphics based technology that offers a simplified outlook on information. Other ITS technologies can be introduced with map so that the consumer can evaluate a situation or make a decision dynamically As populations rise and lifestyles become faster, consumers will rely more and more on this type of technology to help them run their daily lives. Through overcoming a few hurdles, data suppliers, application developers, and other related ITS technologies will be able to thrive, keeping Canada at the competitive edge of this growing marketplace.