WINNIPEG, Man. — Manitoba is the latest province to ink a deal with the feds that involves the development of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).

Two agreements were funded totaling $1.7 million. The bulk of the money will be used to develop and deploy a commercial vehicle permit automation system. Part of the funding will go towards research and development with the remainder being allocated towards implementation.

The new system will generate permits electronically in one easy step, the feds and province announced. The system will also allow permit agents to determine a carrier’s safety fitness rating and compliance history.

“This research will make commercial vehicle permit systems more efficient,” said Reg Alcock, federal president of the Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for Manitoba. “The Government of Canada is committed to helping Canadians and Manitobans alike find innovative ways to improve our transportation system and to implement new technologies.”

For his part, provincial Transport Minister Ron Lemieux added: “Truck transportation not only is responsible for some 33,000 person-years of direct or indirect employment throughout the province, but it also handles about 95 per cent of goods moved within Manitoba. The federal support underscores the national economic importance of developing intelligent transportation systems and how crucial it is to our future ability to remain competitive in the North American and global transportation markets.”

The contribution from Ottawa has been made under the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP).