No. H061/06For release June 26, 2006
TORONTO — The Government of Canada will award over $491,380 to
four projects in Ontario that advance transportation planning and enhance
integration and connections between modes. The projects are being funded under
the Transportation Planning and Modal Integration initiatives, as announced today
by the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities.
"These projects will help to investigate how we can better combine
transportation modes for greater efficiency and integration of the
transportation system," said Minister Cannon. "They also demonstrate the
Government of Canada's commitment and willingness to encourage innovation and
creativity to solve current transportation challenges."
"Building an integrated transportation system requires that transportation needs
be considered from system-wide and strategic perspectives," said the Honourable
John Baird, President of the Treasury Board. "These projects will support the
development of transportation-related expertise and research in the public,
private and academic sectors in the province and help us to be more competitive
in global trade."
Under the Transportation Planning and Modal Integration initiatives, applicants can submit
project ideas to Transport Canada, which then selects and contributes funding to
the successful projects.
As part of the selection process, successful projects have to meet one or more
of the following objectives:
support trade, tourism and traffic flows
through integrated surface transportation corridors;
enhance integration and improve connections between modes, through
infrastructure and technology initiatives;
increase transportation mobility, safety, security and efficiency for private,
public and commercial system users;
promote the integration of sustainable transportation principles into
transportation decisions; or
improve data collection for more effective policy planning and operational
management.
To date, approximately $5 million in funding has been granted to a total of 45
projects across the country, including the projects announced today.
Federal funding for these projects was built into the existing financial
framework.
A backgrounder describing the Transportation Planning and Modal Integration
initiatives and the winning projects is attached.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities,
Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Linda Licari
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.
BACKGROUNDER
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND MODAL INTEGRATION INITIATIVES
The Government of Canada encourages the development of innovative approaches to
transportation issues to boost the efficiency and integration of the
transportation system as a whole and ensure its sustainability. 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. Funding for the Transportation Planning and Modal Integration
initiative is part of the Government of Canada's $600-million Strategic Highway
Infrastructure Program.
The following projects have been selected for the second round of funding under
the Transportation Planning and Modal Integration initiative.
Project descriptions
The Case for Transportation Demand Management & Supportive Guidelines for
Development Approvals
The Association for Commuter Transportation of Canada, located in Ottawa, will
receive up to $85,000 to address immediate needs to build knowledge about the
management of transportation demand in Canada. The project consists of
conducting cross-Canada workshops to share transportation demand management
information and promote the integration of sustainable transportation
principles.
Creating a Network of New Mobility Hubs in the Greater Toronto Area – Phase II
Alternative Transportation Options (Moving the Economy) will receive up to
$106,380 to create a network of new mobility hubs in the Greater Toronto Area.
These hubs provide several transport options (e.g. transit, taxis, car share
vehicles, etc.) in the same place. The project seeks to build partnerships with
communities, businesses and regional groups; link other hub locations with the
Exhibition Place Hub; and promote the network.
Planning and Transportation Study for a New Inter-Modal Bus Terminal in Toronto
The City of Toronto Economic Development Corporation will receive up to $150,000
for a study on a bus terminal near Union Station. It will identify
urban/architectural design standards, technical issues, tax incremental
financing of infrastructure, pedestrian mobility and tourism elements for the
terminal to ensure it promotes multimodalism and maximizes positive impacts on
surrounding areas.
Development of an Operational Integrated Urban Modeling System
The University of Toronto will receive up to $150,000 to develop a fully
operational, University of Toronto-validated and integrated land use
transportation modelling system for the Greater Toronto Area. The modelling
system will support the analysis of a broad range of urban transportation and
land use planning issues and infrastructure investment alternatives.
June 2006
