WINNIPEG, (June 3, 2005) — The Government of Canada has signed an agreement that will provide funding for the installation of eight Road Weather Information System stations along the National Highway System in Manitoba.

Road Weather Information Systems consist of automated weather reporting stations with special sensors embedded in and below the road and on nearby towers. These systems collect detailed data on weather conditions at and near the road surface, which can help weather forecasters and highway maintenance personnel to predict road conditions.

The RWIS is funded by the Intelligent Transportation Systems initiative to help improve the safety, sustainability, reliability and efficiency of Canadian transportation systems. The feds are contributing up to $212,100 of the $520,400 bill.

“This agreement is an important step towards improving the safety and sustainability of Manitoba’s highway system,” said Reg Alcock on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre. “By providing detailed data on road conditions in real-time, this technology will allow road crews to better plan for road maintenance, allowing them to decide if, and when, treatment is needed.”

Added Manitoba Transportation and Government Services Minister Ron Lemieux: “Given Manitoba’s extreme weather, motorists will greatly benefit from the enhanced ability to assess the impact of weather on our roads and driving conditions.”

Transport Canada is concluding funding negotiations with the provinces and territories for the development of a cross-Canada Road Weather Information Systems network. The department will pay up to 50 percent of eligible costs relating to the acquisition and installation of the system components. As a condition of funding, provinces and territories are also required to enter into a data-sharing agreement with Environment Canada.

Federal funding will be provided under the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, a $600 million program to improve highway infrastructure across Canada. Part of the SHIP funding, $100 million, is for initiatives that better integrate the country’s transportation system. One of these is the ITS initiative, which includes applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response management and vehicle safety.