TDC is Transport Canada's Research and Development branch, under the Policy Group. As Transport Canada's centre of excellence for research and development, it manages a multimodal R&D; program aimed at improving the safety, security, energy efficiency, and accessibility of the Canadian transportation system, while protecting the environment. Its mandate is to enhance the department's technological capability, to address the department's strategic objectives and federal government priorities, and to promote innovation in transportation.

Working for Innovation in Transportation

Located in Montréal, TDC is headed by an Executive Director and staffed by a multidisciplinary team of engineers, ergonomists, and transportation planners and analysts (Staff Listing). A research library and a communications unit document and disseminate information. Financial, administrative, and informatics units provide support services. A Research Policy and Coordination office in Ottawa also provides technology transfer services, including intellectual property management.

TDC's research staff plan and manage projects in support of Transport Canada clients. Projects involve all transportation modes and different stages of the innovation cycle – from concept definition to demonstration and deployment. They are contracted out to a variety of organizations across Canada – manufacturers, operators, research groups, universities, and consultants.

Working closely with contractors, TDC staff manage the technical aspects of each project, control finances, and evaluate progress. They also ensure that the end products of the program – technical data and research reports, equipment designs, laboratory hardware, computer software, and prototype transportation systems – find application in the Canadian transportation network.

R&D; Program

TDC's research program ensures a sustained commitment to meeting Canada's evolving transportation requirements through technological innovation. Developed on the basis of priorities established by the departmental R&D; Management Board, the program addresses policy issues, regulation and safety, technology development, operations, and technology transfer, in support of strategic planning and decision-making in the department, the federal government, and the Canadian transportation sector.

A number of research projects are co-funded by TDC's research partners in other federal departments, other levels of government, and the private sector.

TDC also has partnerships with research groups in the United States, Mexico, Europe, and Pacific Rim countries, participating in cooperative ventures of international importance through memoranda of understanding, intergovernmental agreements, and scientific exchanges.

Additional Information

For more information on TDC's research program, consult the TDC Project Directory.