No. H025/02For release - March 13, 2002
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 McGregorCommunications, Ottawa(613) 991-3409
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