No. H025/02 For release March 13, 2002
FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR TWO INTELLIGENT
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS PROJECTS IN B.C.
OTTAWA -Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal, on behalf of Transport
Minister David Collenette, today announced that the Government of Canada has
committed $450,000 for two cost-shared projects in British Columbia 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. Dhaliwal. “Funding for these projects will
help make British Columbia’s transportation system safer and more integrated,
efficient, productive and environmentally responsible.”
The Vancouver Port Authority will receive $200,000 to enhance and expand its
PortView software to include the movement of dangerous goods in and out of port
jurisdictions in British Columbia. This ITS technology will improve the safety
of port operations by identifying the real time location of vessels and trucks
carrying dangerous goods, and allowing those responsible for handling dangerous
goods or incident response to locate dangerous goods more quickly.
The British Columbia Ministry of Transportation will receive $250,000 for
deployment of an Advanced Traveller Information System at the Peace Arch and
Pacific Highway border crossing in Surrey, B.C. This project will improve the
efficiency of border crossings by providing travellers with delay information
prior to their departure or en route to assist them in making travel time
estimates and decisions on departure time, route choice, and mode choice. It
will also enhance the mobility of goods between Canada and the United States.
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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