Governments
of Canada and Ontario take next step to make border crossings more
efficient
WINDSOR,
ON, Sept. 21 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Ontario have
jointly
selected a team to research and develop strategies for using
technology
to improve the flow of traffic and information at all international
border
crossings between Ontario and the United States.
As part of the Let's Get
Windsor-Essex Moving strategy, announced on
March
11, 2004, this initiative involves the use of high tech Intelligent
Transportation
Systems (ITS) to help manage traffic flow along roadways
leading
to all border crossings.
"The governments of Canada
and Ontario are committed to working together
to
make sure that solutions addressing border crossing issues are implemented
quickly,
efficiently and effectively," said Federal Minister of Human
Resources
and Skills Development Canada, Joseph Volpe. "Both governments
believe
that ITS has a critical role to play in meeting this objective."
"Fifty million vehicles use
Ontario-U.S. border crossings every day,"
said
Ontario Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar. "Almost
$900milliondollars
worth of goods move through our borders daily. Using
technology
to make our borders more efficient will benefit us all. It's good
for
the economy, and it's good for tourism."
The consultant team will
evaluate existing technology, to determine how
it
can best be used to keep drivers informed and better manage traffic during
busy
travel times.
ITS technologies include cameras
to monitor traffic, weather and road
conditions.
The system also includes electronic sensors and detectors embedded
in
the roadway to gauge the speed of traffic. All of this information is
passed
along to drivers through real-time changeable message signs.
After a competitive bidding
process, Delcan Corp. was selected by a joint
Transport
Canada-Ontario Ministry of Transportation evaluation committee to
undertake
the project. This initiative stems from the Let's Get Windsor-Essex
Moving
strategy, but the technology developed will be applicable at other
border
crossings in Ontario.
The 18-month project will cost
approximately $1.3 million, to be shared
equally
by the federal and provincial governments. Federal funding for the
project
comes from the Border Infrastructure Fund. Regularly updated project
information
will be available to the public at: www.intelligentborder.ca.
Funding for this project is
built into the existing financial framework.
For
further information: please contact: Helen Leslie, Transport Canada,
(613)
993-0055, www.tc.gc.ca; Danna O'Brien, Minister's Office, Ontario
Ministry
of Transportation, (416) 327-1815, www.mto.gov.on.ca
