Technology Transfer

In its role as a catalyst for innovation in the transportation industry, TDC actively encourages exchanges of information and expertise within the department and the industry. Professional staff monitor developments of potential interest to the department; host international delegations; initiate and participate in seminars, workshops and conferences; and serve on national and international committees.

TDC regularly organizes workshops and meetings that draw participants from around the country and the world to share research results.

In September 2005, Transport Canada and the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sponsored the International Conference on Fatigue Management in Transportation Operations that drew nearly 200 participants to Seattle, Washington. Speakers and delegates included representatives from all transportation sectors, industry, university research centres, and governments from a variety of countries including Canada, the U.S., Australia, Sweden, and Jordan. TDC professional staff played key roles on the organizing and technical committees.

The Seventh Annual Workshop on Highway-Railway Grade Crossing Research, held in November 2005, drew more than 120 participants for two days of meetings in Montreal. Sponsored by Direction 2006 and organized by TDC, the workshop drew representatives from governments, research institutes, and rail carriers, suppliers, and associations in Canada, the U.S., Australia, South Africa and Germany. Participants were given an update on the Highway-Railway Grade Crossing Research Program and a look at related research in several other countries. Proceedings were published on CD-ROM.

TDC was a partner in the Third Railway Ground Hazard Research Program Workshop, held in Edmonton in December 2005. More than 50 participants were provided updates on the progress of various research projects under the program as well other initiatives underway in Alberta and Ireland.

TDC professional staff are involved in a broad range of international R&D; initiatives and the centre regularly plays an important supporting role.

In May 2005 and again in October 2005, TDC hosted meetings of expert subcommittees and working groups of the Society of Automotive Engineers G-12 Aircraft Ground Deicing Subcommittee. These groups oversee testing of new deicing fluids, develop and review testing protocols, define new research areas, and develop standards related to aircraft deicing activities. Members are drawn from airlines, aircraft and equipment manufacturers, employee associations, civil aviation authorities, and research centres from around the world.

TDC also played host to the Aircraft Icing Research Alliance in June 2005. The alliance is a collaborative effort involving Transport Canada, NASA, National Research Council Canada, and the Meteorological Service of Canada to improve the safety of aircraft operations in icing conditions. The alliance also aims to foster aircraft icing expertise, exchange technical and scientific information, encourage the development of critical aircraft icing technologies, and provide a framework for collaboration among alliance members.

The Ice Protection Harmonization Working Group (IPHWG), a rulemaking advisory committee of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, held a meeting at TDC in October 2005. The group includes representatives from aircraft and equipment manufacturers, airlines, regulatory bodies, and research centres from around the world.

In January 2006, the International Transportation Security Human Factors Technical Advisory Group (InterTAG) met at TDC. The meeting brought together 27 representatives from various agencies in Canada, the U.S., the UK, France, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong. Representatives from the International Air Transport Association and the International Civil Aviation Organization were also present for part of the meeting. Transport Canada is an active participant in the group, which promotes human factors research related to design, development, and evaluation of transportation security systems, equipment, personnel, procedures, and environments.