No. H131/11
For release - December 20, 2011
WINNIPEG — The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), and Steve Ashton, Manitoba's Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, today announced new funding for two intelligent transportation systems (ITS) projects in Manitoba.
The Government of Canada will provide up to 50 per cent of funding, to a maximum of $75,000, for CentrePort Canada, a 20,000-acre inland port and trade area in Winnipeg, to consider the application of new technologies to its operational design. This funding is provided through the ITS component of the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP).
Manitoba is providing $65,000 and CentrePort is providing $10,000 for the study.
"Applying innovative solutions such as ITS to the transportation network will increase efficiency and competitiveness, improve safety and create jobs," said Minister Fletcher. "These innovative technologies will help position CentrePort Canada as a primary corridor for trade, international business and investment."
"Manitoba is pleased to work collaboratively with our federal partners to achieve our shared vision of establishing CentrePort Canada as the most secure inland port in North America," said Minister Ashton. "By engaging in this study, CentrePort Canada will be developing best-in-class secure facilities and top-tier cargo tracking technology to ensure the expedited processing and secure handling of goods."
CentrePort Canada will study ITS practices at other inland ports to determine whether they could be successfully implemented at CentrePort. There are two main objectives of this project: to reduce the time needed for secure cargo shipments originating from CentrePort to cross international borders; and to increase the security of cross-border freight shipments.
"We would like to thank the federal government and the provincial government for their commitment to the ongoing development of CentrePort Canada, and their willingness to work with us and the private sector on the potential for importing leading-edge technology to our inland port," said Diane Gray, president and CEO of CentrePort Canada. "We want to build on the many advantages of CentrePort by looking at how we can improve supply chain integration and enhance the safe, secure and efficient movement of cargo across international borders."
The governments of Canada and Manitoba have also each provided $265,000 for a total of $530,000nbsp;for the new Border Crossing Traveller Information System at the Pembina, North Dakota-Emerson, Manitoba border crossing. The Border Crossing Traveller Information System was installed and became operational in April 2011.
"The Government of Canada is proud to help implement ITS at border crossings," said Minister Fletcher. "Using advanced technology at the Pembina-Emerson border crossing will help reduce delays and congestion, and will help move people and goods across the border more efficiently."
"The Province of Manitoba recognizes the strategic significance and role of the Pembina-Emerson port in supporting the development of Manitoba as a leading trade and transportation gateway jurisdiction," said Minister Ashton. "The new Border Traveller Information System is providing real-time road, weather and port processing information to more than 500,000 annual southbound cross-border travellers entering the United States through this strategic mid-continental gateway."
The Border Crossing Traveller Information System provides southbound drivers with information such as lane assignments and road weather conditions. The information will be provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the North Dakota Department of Transportation and the National Weather Service.
Intelligent transportation systems are a suite of advanced technologies that facilitate the management of transport networks, monitor safety, disseminate information, and permit vehicle and incident detection and tracking.
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Contacts:
Brayden Akers
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Steven Fletcher
Minister of State (Transport), Ottawa
613-949-8624
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Rachel Morgan
Press Secretary
Cabinet Communications
Government of Manitoba
204-945-1494
Riva Harrison
Executive Director
Marketing and Communications
CentrePort Canada
204-784-1300
www.CentrePortCanada.ca
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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Intelligent Transportation Systems
When applied to the transportation system, advanced technologies (such as sensing, communication and information technologies) make it possible to improve operational safety, security, efficiency and environmental responsibility, without changing the existing infrastructure. When used together to manage transportation challenges, these technologies are collectively known as “intelligent transportation systems” (ITS). ITS can be applied to commercial vehicle operations, intermodal freight monitoring, security screening, traveller information, traffic management and emergency management.
Canada’s ITS vision is to create an environment that will stimulate the collaborative development and application of ITS across the country. This will improve safety, and maximize the use and efficiency of the existing multimodal transportation system. It will also make Canada’s ITS industry a leader by positioning it to meet future Canadian needs and allowing Canada to compete in the growing global marketplace.
Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP)
The Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program is a $600-million federal program that aims to improve highway infrastructure across Canada. Announced in April 2001, the program has two components: a $500-million highway construction component and a $100-million national system integration component, of which $30 million is designated to fund ITS initiatives.
December 2011
