|
ITS
Canada leads submission of 511 application with CRTC
January 10, 2005
View
the application
ITS
Canada Newsletter Articles
511 Panel Discussion at TAC – Calgary
At the TAC Annual Conference on September 20th, 2005, ITS
Canada led a panel discussion on 511 and deployments in
North America. Participants from Canada included Denis Paquette,
Environment Canada; Gerry Chaput, Ontario Ministry of Transportation;
and Nancy Lynch, New Brunswick Transportation.
Also participating were special guests
from the United States: Ms. Brandi Hamilton from the State
of Montana, and Mr Scott Cowherd from the State of Virginia,
at the same time representing the 511 Deployment Coalition
and the I-95 Coalition, respectively.
Powerpoint presentations made by panel members:
 Paul
Frigon, ITS Canada
Denis
Paquette, Environment Canada
Nancy
Lynch, New Brunswick Transportation
Brandi
Hamilton, State of Montana, 511 Coalition
Scott
Cowherd, State of Virginia, I-95 Coalition
511
Readiness in Canada
A draft
development plan for implementing 511 service in Canada.
This included defining the functional requirements based
on user and deployer needs, addressing the many regulatory
and legal requirements prior to system deployment, designing
the system itself (accounting for all compatibility and
telecommunication needs), and establishing the business
model and institutional framework for the operation of the
system. Proposed deployment standards and guidelines were
also developed to outline the operational standards for
Canada 511 and to suggest a number of strategies for the
delivery and presentation of these traveller information
services. The researchers noted that, while the guidelines
contain a significant level of detail, many development
plan tasks, including the functional requirements, need
to be completed before the guidelines can be finalized.
Background
ITS
Canada has initiated an effort to establish the 511 telephone
number as an automated “weather and traveller information
service” number in Canada. The service will be based
on Canadian content and consistency guidelines that are
yet to be developed. Harmonizing with U.S. efforts, 511
is anticipated to become a future North American-wide corridor
information service for highway and public transportation.
The service will include basic and optional content.
There
is one major hurdle in Canada: 511 is not yet reserved for
“weather and traveller information services” in
Canada. The CRTC assigns N11 numbers and will only do so
to “applicants” that have evidence of stable organizational
capabilities and plans to deliver sustainable services.
A two-phased approach is planned:
Phase
1: (COMPLETE)
ITS
Canada has developed a “Canada 511 Consortium”
as the “applicant” (similar to the U.S. 511 Deployment
Coalition) consisting of lead agencies and other provincial,
municipal and private sector members. The “511 Consortium”
is led by ITS Canada and includes the following organizations:
Environment
Canada
Transport Canada
Canadian Urban Transit Association
Transportation Association of Canada
The Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada
(ITS Canada)
All ten provinces and the Yukon Territory
Phase 2: (IN PROGRESS)
The
511 Consortium has completed the following tasks:
develop content and consistency guidelines, in harmony with
those in the U.S.
develop a plan for delivery of a sustainable 511 service
in Canada
apply to CRTC to reserve the 511 number for “traveller
information services”
co-ordinate the implementation of 511 across Canada.
ITS
Canada led and assisted with funding Phase 1 to develop
the Consortium, and to provide sufficient information and
background to proceed with Phase 2. The 511 consortium was
funded by member groups so that the second phase could be
successfully achieved.
It
is anticipated that an executive and working group will
be formed, and it is hoped that most Canadian agencies that
provide traveller and/or weather information will participate
in ensuring a credible and sustainable 511 service in Canada.
It is envisioned that the service would be developed by
local, regional, and provincial agencies with their private
sector partners, and would include traffic, transit, and
weather information as a minimum.
ITS
Canada is excited about participating in this groundbreaking
Canadian opportunity. We look forward to the support and
cooperation of our partners. For further information, please
contact ITS Canada at askus@itscanada.ca.
In
the United States
U.S. 511 Deployment Coalition –
Information
by and for 511 deployers
Implementation and Operational Guidelines for 511 Services
Published
by the U.S. 511 Deployment Coalition
Latest
511 Deployments in the U.S.
|
