No. H111/04 For release November 23, 2004 WINDSOR - New video detection and surveillance equipment will be installed to improve the flow of traffic at Canada's busiest border crossing in Windsor, Ontario. Construction is set to begin on the projects to improve traffic flow at the Windsor-Detroit border crossing, Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre and Ontario Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar today announced. The projects, which are estimated to cost $1.73 million, will involve the installation of a video vehicle detection system at the Highway 401/Highway 3 underpass and a closed circuit television surveillance system along the E.C. Row Expressway and Highway 3. The closed circuit camera will be used to monitor traffic conditions leading to the border. Changeable message signs will also provide advance warning of traffic conditions. "I am pleased that construction is about to begin on these two projects," said Mr. Lapierre. "These initiatives demonstrate the federal and provincial governments' shared commitment to reducing congestion and improving the safety and efficiency of border crossings within the province." "Over 16 million vehicles cross the Windsor-Detroit border every year, of which 21 per cent are trucks," said Mr. Takhar. "These Intelligent Transportation Systems upgrades will improve the monitoring of traffic conditions at this important border crossing between Canada and the United States." These projects are one of the initial investments identified in the Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving strategy announced on March 11, 2004. These projects were identified as 'early wins' under a broader Ontario-wide Intelligent Transportation Systems initiative announced in September, which is being developed to help manage traffic flow along roads leading to all border crossings in the province. The strategy also includes improvements to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Plaza, a pedestrian overpass near the intersection of Huron Church Road and Girardot Street, a Walker Road/Canadian Pacific rail grade separation, completion of an environmental assessment for a rail grade separation at Howard Avenue, as well as improvements to the Industrial Drive and Huron Church Road intersection to support the development of a pre-processing facility on Industrial Drive. The projects will be jointly funded by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. Transport Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation will co-manage the projects. Federal funding for these projects comes from the Border Infrastructure Fund and was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget. Backgrounders with further information on Intelligent Transportation Systems and the Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving strategy are attached. -30- Contacts: Irène Marcheterre Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Transport, Ottawa (613) 991-0700 Danna O'Brien Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Toronto (416) 327-1815 Jacques Gravel Communications Transport Canada, Ottawa (613) 993-0055 Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is online at www.mto.gov.on.ca. BACKGROUNDER INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS Intelligent Transportation Systems are a broad range of diverse technologies applied to transportation to make systems safer, more efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly, without necessarily having to physically alter existing infrastructure. The Intelligent Transportation Systems field encompasses new products, information and communications technologies for the development, operation and management of the transportation system. Intelligent Transportation Systems include applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response management, and vehicle safety. They all have in common the application of advanced technologies, including information processing, communications, and sensing and control - technologies that put transportation systems at the core of an innovation revolution. The technologies being used in the Windsor border crossing projects are: Closed Circuit Television Surveillance Systems A video camera system for incident and queue management would provide the ability to monitor traffic conditions and allow for the changing of signal timing plans where warranted. It would also allow for enhanced response by engineering, police and fire department staff. The locations of the cameras were chosen to ensure full coverage of the major truck routes used to access the Ambassador Bridge and the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel. The cameras will also give a clear picture of traffic flow at the border crossing so appropriate information can be displayed to drivers on changeable message signs. This project builds on the work undertaken by the City of Windsor in 2003 - 2004, which was funded by the Governments of Canada and Ontario. The system is expected to be operational in 2005. Video Vehicle Detection System This technology uses cameras and computer software to detect abnormal traffic behaviour along selected roads. When an incident is detected, a message can be transmitted to one of the three changeable message signs located along Highway 401, east of Highway 3, to warn motorists. The appropriate party is then dispatched to deal with the incident. The system is expected to be operational in 2005. November 2004 BACKGROUNDER LET'S GET WINDSOR-ESSEX MOVING Windsor is the single-most important border crossing between Canada and the United States. More than 16 million cars, trucks and buses travel through the city each year, representing approximately 33 per cent of Canada-United States truck trade. In 2001 alone, this two-way merchandise trade totaled over $140 billion. As Canada's automotive industry heartland and a major economic hub for the province of Ontario, Windsor's economy is intricately linked with the international border crossing. Unfortunately, congestion and pollution have been a cause of frustration for Windsor-Essex residents and businesses for some time. In today's "just-in-time" economy, regular truck traffic delays and congestion on Windsor streets not only result in heavy economic costs for local industry, but also present safety and environmental concerns for the people who live in Windsor-Essex. The Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving strategy is a multi-year strategy to improve road safety, speed up the flow of cross-border-traffic, protect and strengthen local jobs and job growth and beautify transportation corridors. The strategy sets out initial investments in projects that recognize Windsor's unique needs to maintain a safe environment and high quality of life for residents while hosting an international gateway. For further information on the Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving strategy, please visit the Infrastructure Canada website at www.infrastructure.gc.ca. November 2004
