P.E.I. transportation to smarten up with new intelligent systems

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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island will invest up to $47,350 for the deployment and integration of intelligent transportation systems in the province. The projects being funded will help make transportation in P.E.I. safer, more reliable and more efficient, officials say. Each government will contribute up to $23,675 for projects beginning now through to September 30, 2008.

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; and the Honourable Ron MacKinley, P.E.I. Transportation and Public Works Minister, made the announcement.

“The integration of intelligent transportation systems will support tourism, trade and economic well-being in P.E.I.,” said Minister MacKay. “This funding will improve the efficiency, productivity and safety of the Canadian transportation system while reducing environmental impacts.”

“This type of technology will be invaluable to this department and to road users across Prince Edward Island,” said Minister MacKinley. “This new deal strengthens our government’s commitment to safety on the Island’s roads.”

With this funding, P.E.I. Transportation and Public Works will acquire and install up to 10 electronic salt-spreader control systems and add up to 35 infrared road temperature-monitoring systems to the department’s winter road maintenance equipment. This equipment will help collect data to track fleet performance throughout the winter season, and will optimize winter road maintenance by providing a controlled and consistent application of road salt.

The department will operate the system for three months and evaluate it based on reduction in road salt, improved safety, and improved efficiency of highway maintenance operations.

Intelligent transportation systems are a new and rapidly developing field, where information processing, communication systems and sensing devices are combined and integrated to make the transportation system work more effectively. Centralized traffic management, transit smart cards and traveller information systems are examples of intelligent transportation systems in action.

The Canadian governments contribution to these projects comes from the $600-million Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, which dedicates $100 million for initiatives that better integrate the country’s transportation system, including $30 million to fund intelligent transportation systems.

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