No. H061/04
For release October 19, 2004

WINNING PROJECTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND MODAL INTEGRATION INITIATIVES

OTTAWA - Winning projects that advance transportation planning and enhance integration and connections between modes of transportation were announced today by Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre.

"The Government of Canada recognizes that innovation is critical in addressing Canada's transportation challenges," said Mr. Lapierre. "By encouraging the development of innovative approaches to transportation issues, we can boost the efficiency and integrity of the transportation system as a whole and improve its sustainability."

Under the Transportation Planning and Modal Integration Initiatives, applicants submit project ideas to Transport Canada, which then selects and gives funding to the winning projects.

The 17 winning projects were selected from 58 submitted in May 2004, following a call for proposals issued by the department in February 2004.

As part of the selection process, successful projects had to meet one or more of the following objectives:

• support trade, tourism and traffic flows through integrated surface transportation corridors;
• increase transportation mobility, safety and security and efficiency for private, public and commercial system users;
• enhance integration and improve connections between modes, through infrastructure and technology initiatives;
• promote integration of sustainable transportation principles into transportation decisions; and
• improve data collection for more effective policy planning and operational management.

Funding for these projects is part of the Government of Canada's $600 million Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP), which was announced on April 3, 2001. The SHIP program has two components: a $500 million highway construction component and a $100 million national system integration component. Of the $100 million, $5 million is available for academic research studies or applied transportation initiatives that advance transportation planning and modal integration in urban areas and along transportation corridors. Approximately $2.2 million of these funds will be used to support the winning projects announced today.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 budget.

A backgrounder outlining the Transportation Planning and Modal Integration Initiatives program and the winning projects is attached.

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BACKGROUNDER

Canada's Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program

The Government of Canada is committed to improving the economy and the quality of life for Canadians by investing in highway infrastructure across Canada. As part of this commitment, Transport Canada announced the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program in April 2001. The program has two components: a $500 million highway construction component and a $100 million national system integration component. The second component includes $65 million for improvements at border crossings, $30 million for deployment and integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems and $5 million for transportation planning and modal integration initiatives.

Approximately $2.2 million of the resources allocated for transportation planning and modal integration initiatives will support the winning projects outlined below.

Transportation Planning and Modal Integration Initiatives

The Government of Canada's vision for transportation includes a more integrated transportation system.

The national transportation system is more than the sum of its parts; it involves connections and integration of various modes and jurisdictions. Canadians are becoming increasingly aware that a sustainable and efficient transportation system plays an important role in ensuring Canada's competitive success in global trade. Increasingly, integrated logistics chains with global reach compete with one another.

Inter-modal transportation requires that the physical and electronic connections between different modes of transportation, e.g., trains and ships, be fully integrated in order to increase system efficiency and reduce total time and costs. New technologies, improvements in traditional infrastructure, and the harmonization of regulations will be important in designing systems and managing the demands that will be placed on transportation infrastructure in the future.

Intermodal transportation system requires that transportation needs be considered from a system-wide and strategic perspective. Such an integrated transportation system requires planning and feasibility studies to assess transportation needs from a multi-modal perspective. Transportation planning requires long lead times and collaborative approaches among many different players. By supporting the development of transportation-related expertise and research in the public, private and academic sectors, Transport Canada can foster the innovation that will be required to help our transportation system adapt to the challenges of the future.

On February 26, 2004, Transport Canada announced a call for proposals for initiatives that will advance modal integration and transportation planning in urban areas and along transportation corridors. These initiatives could take the form of academic research studies or applied transportation initiatives.

The following projects, submitted in May 2004, have been selected for the maximum funding indicated below:

Activity-Based Multi-Modal Modelling of Travel Behaviour for Urban Design

The University of Toronto will receive $49,980 to develop a next generation urban travel demand model, the Travel/Activity Scheduler for Household Agents. Once the model is developed, it can then be applied to demonstrate the benefits of modelling the daily out-of-home activities in which people engage.

An Integrated Information System for Intermodal Freight Transportation Planning: Winnipeg and Manitoba Capital Region

The University of Manitoba will receive $21,000 to look at urban and multi-modal freight transportation through the design, development and implementation of a web-based information system to facilitate and enhance intermodal freight transportation planning in Winnipeg and the surrounding Manitoba Capital Region.

Calgary Spatial Activity Model Development

The City of Calgary will receive $250,000 to develop the Calgary Spatial Activity Model, an integrated modelling system representing the economic, land use and transportation components of the Calgary Region. The system will be used to support forecasting and policy assessments.

Community-Based Strategic Rail Study

The City of Windsor will receive $125,000 to complete a strategic study of rail rationalization opportunities, concepts and feasibility within Windsor to support enhanced road, rail and air mode integration and border crossing capability. The study will investigate current operations, financial impacts, modal integration and redevelopment opportunities, as well as associated transportation system improvements.

Establishing Canada's First Agri-Food Transloading Rail Yard

The City of Guelph will receive $250,000 to undertake studies and research related to establishing Canada's first designated agri-food rail yard that transfers loads from one mode of transport to another. The rail yard is projected to shift more than 50,000 truckloads of agri-food products originating in Chicago and the Western United States to rail loads. The rail yard would also enhance integration between the Guelph Junction Railway and Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways.

Freight Intermodal Opportunities and Barriers Study

iTrans Consulting Inc. of Richmond Hill will receive $40,000 to identify opportunities and barriers to improve inter-modal freight connectivity. The company will use the Regional Municipality of Peel as a case study and the results will be used to develop partnerships between freight transportation stakeholders, and to develop a guidebook for other municipalities.

Greater Vancouver Intermodal Freight Initiative

The Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority will receive $150,000 to assess the feasibility of increased marine and rail freight shipments in the Greater Vancouver Region. It will also assess the capacity for road freight shipments.

Halifax Trucking Options Study

The Halifax Regional Municipality will receive $80,000 to complete a feasibility study that will investigate two concepts for reducing truck loads from Halifax's downtown core. The first proposes an exclusive truck route and the second proposes an inland multimodal terminal.

Implementation of a computerized link with road rest stop and trucking enterprises

L-P Tardif & Associés Inc. of Ottawa will receive $13,991 to implement a road/ship intermodal partnership and integration pilot project that will transfer trucks from roads to a short distance ferry on the St-Lawrence River in Quebec. The pilot project will be evaluated for its efficiency once completed.

Implementation of car-share spaces reserved in park-and-ride lots

Agence métropolitaine de transport of Montreal will receive $182,280 to provide car-share spaces in park-and-ride lots managed by the agency. The project will provide tools for better management and controls, as well as identify key success factors that could be used as guidelines for future applications.

Multi-Modal Travel Demand Modelling for Urban Policy Analysis

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation will receive $239,042 to develop best practices and a travel demand modelling system for urban policy analysis in the Greater Toronto Area. The model will be used for planning infrastructure investments, smart growth initiatives, and reducing energy use and vehicle emissions.

Plate-forme logistique agroalimentaire de Longueuil

Développement économique Longueuil of Quebec will receive $250,000 to complete the design phase of a project that will bring together road and rail carriers into a secure area for the import and export of perishable foods.

Public Transit/Car-Sharing Integration Projects for Sustainable Transportation in Canadian Cities

Communauto Inc. of Montreal will receive $44,000 to test and evaluate the concept of integrated mobility in three Canadian cities: Quebec, Gatineau and Ottawa. Integrated mobility is the combination of public transit and car-sharing as a way to increase the efficiency of the transportation system and lower urban environmental impacts.

Scoping the Potential for a Network of New Mobility Hubs in the GTA
Demonstration: Transit/Bike Share Link at Exhibition Place

Alternative Transportation Options (Moving the Economy) of Toronto will receive $161, 820 to connect various sustainable transportation options and services at key hubs throughout the Greater Toronto Area. The hubs will link the options and services required for a seamless and sustainable door-to-door trip. These mobility hubs will offer interconnected access to public transit, car-share vehicles, taxis, bicycle stations, a pedestrian-friendly environment, and information kiosks. As a first step, a demonstration hub will be established at Exhibition Place.

Sustainable Freight Options for the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor

McGill University in Montreal will receive $65,700 to analyse the transportation choices of shippers in Central Canada to determine what changes to government transport policy and carrier service attributes would make freight transport more sustainable and safer without compromising the economic competitiveness of Canadian businesses.

Transportation and Economic Impact Study of a New Intermodal Bus Terminal in Toronto

The City of Toronto Economic Development Corporation will receive $250,000 to develop plans for a new inter-modal bus terminal located near Union Station. This initiative will complete a transportation and economic impact study for the proposed site.

Transportation Emissions Modelling for Better Choice

The University of Alberta will receive $49,450 to upgrade the Edmonton Regional Travel Vehicle Emissions Model with an emphasis on improved estimates of greenhouse gas emissions and particulate emissions, for both current and future fleets. The upgraded model would be used to evaluate emissions impacts arising from alternative land-use scenarios, transportation investment and policies provided by the application of regional travel forecasting and traffic micro-simulation.

For further information, please visit Transport Canada's TPMI website.

October 2004