7 ROAD TRANSPORTATION

PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION

LIGHT VEHICLE FLEET AND USE

According to the 2002 Canadian Vehicle Survey, 17.3 million light vehicles were registered in the ten provinces and three territories (data refer to in-scope vehicles with a gross weight less than 4,500 kilograms). As Table 7-4 shows, 10.4 million of these vehicles were classified as passenger cars and station wagons, 2.5 million were listed as vans, 1.3 million were classified as sport- utility vehicles (SUVs), and 3.0 million were defined as pickup trucks. As a group, light trucks and vans (including SUVs and pickup trucks) represented 39.0 per cent of the light vehicle fleet. Vans and light trucks were driven about 15 per cent more on average than passenger cars in 2002, amassing 18,100 kilometres per year versus about 15,800 kilometres for cars and station wagons. Total vehicle-kilometres driven amounted to 165 billion for cars and station wagons (57 per cent of total) and 122 billion for vans and light trucks (42 per cent). Vans and light trucks also had slightly higher vehicle occupancies than passenger cars, accounting for about 43 per cent of light- vehicle passenger-kilometres. This works out to an average occupancy of 1.65 persons per light truck or van versus 1.61 per car or station wagon.

Note: Figures exclude the Territories. Some totals may not add up due to rounding.

Source: Canadian Vehicle Survey 2002 and Transport Canada calculations

There was a wide gap in fuel efficiency between cars and the heavier trucks and vans. For cars and station wagons, the calculated fuel efficiency averaged about 10 litres per 100 kilometres. This was about 30 per cent lower (i.e. used less fuel) than the corresponding consumption rate of 14 litres per 100 kilometres for vans and light trucks.

As Table 7-5 shows, the distribution of light vehicles, vehicle-kilometres and passenger-kilometres by province/territory in 2002 broadly followed the distribution of population, with few exceptions. In terms of motorization (number of vehicles per capita), most jurisdictions were close to the national average of about 550 vehicles per 1,000 people. Alberta and Saskatchewan were exceptions, as their rates were more than 10 per cent higher, as was Newfoundland and Labrador, whose rate was 15 per cent lower. Annual average vehicle use was nearly 17,000 kilometres nationally, ranging from fewer than 14,000 kilometres per year in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut and about 14,500 in Newfoundland/Labrador and Manitoba to a high of 19,000 in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Average vehicle occupancies in the provinces/territories stayed close to the national average of 1.6 persons per vehicle. Average light-vehicle fuel efficiency showed little variation across jurisdictions. With the exception of Alberta, which had an average fuel efficiency more than 15 per cent higher than the national average, each jurisdiction had a fuel efficiency ratio about five per cent above or below the national average.

Note: Some totals may not add up due to rounding. Due to high sampling variability in the passenger-kilometre and fuel purchase estimates at the provincial/territorial level, figures for average passengers per vehicle should be used with caution.

Source: Canadian Vehicle Survey 2002 and Transport Canada calculations

Note: Some totals may not add up due to rounding.

Source: Canadian Vehicle Survey 2002 and Transport Canada calculations

Major Events in 2003

Infrastructure

Passenger Transportation

Freight Transportation

Price, Productivity, Financial Performance