VANCOUVER, (July 7, 2005) — The Province of B.C. will establish a Bureau of Intelligent Transportation Systems and Freight Security at the University of British Columbia.

Under the agreement, the federal and provincial governments will each provide up to $500,000 to create the bureau of ITS, which will establish a research and development program to conduct research and disseminate findings in the areas of intelligent transportation systems and freight security.

Intelligent transportation systems comprise a broad range of transportation and highway-related technologies, which includes applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response management, and vehicle safety.

“This partnership will allow us to explore new ways of using technology to maximize the efficiency of B.C.’s existing infrastructure and improve security,” said B.C. Transport Minister Kevin Falcon. “This will help facilitate trade and improve our economic competitiveness for the benefit of the entire province.”

Federal funding will be provided under the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, a $600 million program to improve highway infrastructure across Canada.