EDMONTON, (Aug. 3, 2005) — Bridge decks that de-ice themselves; closed circuit cameras; and technology that tells drivers of road conditions from their own vehicle. This is the future of Hwy. 2 envisioned by Alberta Transportation.

Alberta Transportation has developed a high-tech strategic plan for implementing Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) tools along Hwy. 2 corridor between Edmonton and Calgary.

These technologies will help monitor and manage traffic flow, detect and clear incidents, and provide travellers with real-time information on traffic congestion and road conditions on the 260-km stretch of busy highway. The intent of this project is to translate the departmental ITS vision into a “blueprint” for ITS deployment in three phases over the next 10 years.

The section will include Deerfoot Trail in Calgary from the north city limits to the connection to Hwy. 2 in the south end, approximately 50 km; as well as Anthony Henday Drive in Edmonton from Hwy. 16 interchange to Gateway Boulevard (south end), approximately 25 km.

“Given the significant role Highway 2 plays in the provincial highway network and as a key link in the North South Trade Corridor, the ITS Blueprint is considered to be a high priority and an essential ingredient in maintaining Alberta’s long-term economic viability,” the government said in the report.

The needs of commercial vehicles, which make up a significant portion of the vehicle stream, were specifically taken into account in any initiative proposed for the corridor.

The report calls for wider deployment of high load warning systems and ability to identify offending vehicles; more efficient methods of monitoring and enforcing commercial vehicle weight, dimension and driver regulations utilizing concepts as weigh in motion, electronic license plates, etc.; minimizing delays at commercial vehicle inspection stations; compatibility and interoperability with other provinces and states when it comes to sharing of CVO safety and maintenance records with other provinces, states and agencies.

Other conclusions identified in the report, include:

— High traffic volumes and related congestion are prevalent during peak periods in the Deerfoot Trail.

— Suburban sections of the corridor (Airdrie to Calgary, Leduc to Edmonton, Anthony Henday Drive) experience limited congestion in peak hours. This congestion is likely to increase over the longer term as volumes continue to increase.

— The frequency of collisions in the corridor is considered to be significant with over 800 collisions occurring in the rural section between Edmonton and Calgary in year 2000. Weather-related collisions and animal hits are two primary factors that contribute to a significant number of these collisions.

— Closures of Hwy. 2 are a frequent occurrence (4 to 6 times a year). There is a need for a mechanism that allows the highway to be closed safely, efficiently and in a location that provides travellers the option of turning around or seeking food and/or accommodation nearby, the report states.

To solve many of these issues, Alberta Transport is proposing a series of ITS projects. They include:

Road condition and traffic info: More accurate and real-time information on road, installation of more permanent dynamic message signs (DMS) in the corridor; use of Highway Advisory Radio (HAR), roadside kiosks, pagers, telephone service, Internet.

Incident management: Location dissemination of incident site video images to emergency services dispatch; numbering of exit ramps; use of mileage markers; fog and wildlife detection systems; truck rollover monitoring systems on ramps; and lane control and queue management during lane closures.

Weather and detection: Automatic bridge and ramp deicing technology; strategic locations for road weather information system (RWIS) sites, including both problem locations and trigger sites.

Traffic control: Variety of speed limits during peak hours; use of ramp metering on the Deerfoot Trail to avoid congestion at high volume entrance ramps; use of traffic responsive control of traffic signals at ramp terminals to avoid queue back ups onto the Deerfoot Trail; coordination of traffic signals in the Anthony Henday corridor; Integration of AT traffic signals into municipal signal systems.