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ITS CANADA ANNUAL CONFERENCE ... A BARREL OF FUN IN
NIAGARA!
With
approximately 250 participants, ITS Canada’s
Annual Conference was an outstanding success. Held
in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on April 29 to May 1, 2007,
delegates benefited from a very full technical program
with parallel sessions running both Monday and Tuesday,
as well as a large exhibition hall where the “who’s
who” of the industry showcased their products,
talents and expertise.
The
Conference was opened with a welcome reception held
on the exhibit floor on Sunday evening. Delegates
were treated to a delicious spread of food and were
able to leisurely tour the exhibits while networking
with other participants.
On
Monday, the Honourable Donna Cansfield, Minister of
Transportation, Ministry of Transportation of Ontario,
gave an opening address to welcome delegates and then
toured the exhibit hall.
The
wide range of topics covered in technical sessions
meant that there was something of interest for everyone.
Sessions were very well attended.
The
highlight of the social program was Monday evening’s
banquet, held at the Table Rock restaurant on the
brink of the Horseshoe Falls. Dinner was preceded
by a tour of the tunnels behind the Falls. After dinner,
local historian Sherman Zavitz entertained the group
with his tales of Niagara.
With
the theme Intelligent Borders: ITS As A Gateway To
Prosperity, the Conference explored many aspects of
border crossing technology. Below is a report that
reviews one of the sessions.
Conference Session Report: "Intellilgent Borders – The Way Forward"
By
Tom George, NITTEC
This session focused on ITS planning, architecture
and systems for border crossing applications. A presentation
on Ontario’s Action Plan for an Intelligent
Border Crossing provided an overview of the process,
goals and identified opportunities for establishment
of this ITS plan. The development of the action plan
included significant involvement with stakeholders
to identify project objectives. The identification
of early win projects was based on delivering the
right information at the right time for border crossings.
The early win projects included both infrastructure
and ITS to include information dissemination and exchange.
The plan focuses on Windsor first, with the goal of
monitoring conditions at all 14 crossings. The study
concluded that the joint use of technology, data sharing
and partnerships are the key to successfully addressing
border crossing issues.
Deployment
of ITS as detailed in the Ontario plan, requires a
framework for successful deployment. A presentation
on the Border Information Flow Architecture (BIFA)
– A Framework for Coordination at Canada –
U.S. Borders, discussed the development and use of
the border-specific ITS architecture. The bi-national
Transportation Border Working Group (TBWG) identified
the need for a common language for systems and devices,
which led to the establishment of a working group
to create the framework. The BIFA identified the scope,
stakeholders and inventory of needs. The scope included
all border crossing systems with links to other systems
for information exchange. Based on the need for systems
to exchange data, a definition of required interconnects
and standards is needed for integration. The final
BIFA has been developed in database, web and hard
copy format for use and dissemination. The use of
the BIFA is appropriate for both planning and project
implementation, and is available for ITS projects
in the border crossing regions.
Measurement
of travel time at the borders requires deployment
and integration of systems. An evaluation of alternatives
for measuring travel time at the border was included
in the presentation entitled Border Wait Time Measurement:
A State-of-the-Art Review. The challenges of determining
the appropriate wait time data, user type and locations
for dissemination were addressed, along with the various
border crossing scenarios experienced by users (primary
and secondary inspection, duty-free, tolls, etc.)
Most of the border travel time being disseminated
today is deficient because it is based on subjective
data collection techniques. Different technologies
for measurement and dissemination of travel times
were presented, with advantages and disadvantages
of each system identified. For the most accurate and
timely data, no single solution is preferred. A combination
of systems and technologies provides the best results.
A key element to border travel time dissemination
is the establishment of a common definition for what
border travel time information represents and how
to disseminate it.
When
travel times at borders are significant, often dangerous
queues on the freeway become a byproduct. Implementation
of the Queue Warning System (QWS) Along the Approaches
to the Canada–U.S. Border identified the need
for a queue warning system because of safety concerns
due to traffic conditions. The system presented is
a stand-alone installation with remote reporting that
consists of pavement loops and roadside message signs
to warn oncoming traffic. The relationship of the
loops and message sign deployments was identified
for optimal detection and notification. Software challenges
associated with this project were also identified.
The success of the deployment required high reliability
and five-second notification to motorists. Calibration
of the system was critical based on real traffic conditions
and freeway configuration. The system can be remotely
monitored via a web-based service to ensure reliability
and functionality, and can be used as a model in other
similar condition areas.
Conference
Session Report: "Safety, Congestion
and Future U.S. Federal Programs"
By William Johnson, TRENDS Consulting
Jeff Paniati of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
Federal Highways Administration department is at the
focal point of U.S. DOT efforts to implement and deploy
advanced technology applications in the U.S. national
highway system and at international border crossings.
He is able to inform Canadians knowledgeably and authoritatively
about the ITS policies and programs of the U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA). Jeff outlined his presentation as covering
the three key DOT issues – safety, congestion,
and future federal programs – with a focus on
ITS initiatives, the FHWA role in border crossing
issues, and national border activities.
The
major federal ITS initiatives now focus on a small
number of large impact projects grouped into three
clusters:
 Safety includes integrated vehicle-based safety systems, cooperative intersection collision avoidance systems, and next generation 911.
Mobility includes integrated corridor management systems, mobility services for all Americans, and Clarus – road-weather services.
Global connectivity involves developing electronic tools for managing the end-to-end mobility and security of intermodal freight movements. To demonstrate this capability, a trial is now underway involving an air and highway intermodal service from China to the U.S.
In addition to these three clusters, there are projects that fall under the category of cross-cutting: for example, the vehicle-infrastructure integration initiative.
Given the theme of the conference, Jeff outlined the key border issues that his department has identified: lack of information sharing; capacity constraints; infrastructure; limited number of crossings; an increased focus on security; and jurisdictional complexity.
These issues have an impact on “competitiveness” and therefore are getting the attention of federal decision-makers. The nature of vehicle traffic on the Niagara River crossings is changing: personal vehicle traffic in 2005 is down by 19 percent from 1994 and truck traffic is up by 29 percent over the same period. The same trends are occurring at other U.S.-Canada border crossings, reflecting the impact of NAFTA-driven growth in trade.
The federal role in meeting these challenges involves three core themes: enhance public safety; reduce congestion and improve traffic flow; and advocate for state agencies with federal agencies such as Homeland Security. He gave examples of specific initiatives undertaken with federal participation:
Border information flow architecture (BIFA) is a mechanism to identify technologies and users of technologies, identify priorities, promote interoperability, reduce investment costs and enhance information exchange.
Using technology to measure performance at the Canadian border involves using trucks as probes on 25 major interstate highways and 5 Canadian border crossings in order to quantify delay so that causes of delay can be explored. This research is carried out in partnership with motor carriers using satellite technologies.
Data collection at the Ambassador Bridge is one of several border crossings that are being analyzed for travel time by time of day, time of year and location along the approach roads to the crossing; this enables analysis of changes in the border crossing environment, such as changes in threat levels, facility upgrades, etc.
Investment in infrastructure at border crossings – the Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program has funds to improve the safe movement of vehicles at border crossings; the program has $833 million over six years that is distributed by formula to border states based on criteria such as numbers of vehicles at crossings, weight of incoming cargo, and number of crossings.
Working committees at the border – the mission of the U.S.-Canada Transportation Border Working Group (TBWG) is to facilitate safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible movement of goods and persons at the border. It undertakes projects including truck roadside surveys, inventories of facilities, and the Border Information Flow Architecture, and includes all federal, state and provincial partners.
Jeff closed his presentation with these observations:
Safe, secure and efficient border operations are vital to the economic growth of both the United States and Canada.
Balancing competing goals, agency missions and national interests is challenging. U.S. DOT is working at many levels to improve movement at the border.
Technology is a key enabler for monitoring performance and improving operations.
Conference Session Report: "International Perspectives on ITS"
By Elizabeth Birriel, Florida DOT
This session provided an interesting view of ITS deployment issues from four totally different areas, each at different deployment levels:
Ton van Oijen of Imtech from the Netherlands spoke about the need for standardization within the ITS industry.
Jenny Martin with ITS UK spoke about changing attitudes towards surveillance. Surveillance was more accepted in the past; now, as surveillance starts to aid speed enforcement and traffic enforcement in general, the public's attitude is hardening.
Elizabeth Birriel spoke about the Florida Department of Transportation's ITS Program and their current and future initiatives.
Susana Asencio spoke about progress with deployments in the City of Guatemala, despite a limited budget.
Photographs
For more photographs, please visit the Conference photo gallery.
ITS Canada Chairman Joseph Lam, right, thanks Heather McClintock, Co-Chair of the Conference Organizing Committee, for her efforts in organizing ITS Canada’s Annual Conference. Co-Chair Les Kelman, who also contributed greatly to the success of the event, was unable to attend.
From left to right, Susan Spencer and Helena Borges of Transport Canada, with Nancy McNiven of the Dept. of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, reviewed Transport Canada’s initiatives and future vision for ITS
EDMONTON
TRANSIT MOVES TOWARDS ITS
Like
most large cities, Edmonton, Alberta, faces significant
transportation problems: growing population, suburban
sprawl and road congestion. The Edmonton Transit System
(ETS) recently took a major step into the ITS future.
The
ETS serves a capital region population of about 1,000,000
and, as in other cities, most people still drive to
work – one person to a vehicle. Although bus
ridership has increased recently, actually outstripping
the rate of population growth, it is still only a
small portion of daily commuters.
To
promote greater use of public transit, the City of
Edmonton recently commissioned the installation of
the TransPOD™ (Transit Priority On Demand) system
along one of its busy commuter corridors. TransPOD™
is an ITS application developed specifically to take
advantage of the movement towards municipal wireless
networks.
One
key feature is that the system gives authorized managers
detailed, real-time views of how the system and buses
are operating, including maps that update bus locations
second by second. It also provides the capability
to remotely reconfigure the system and modify certain
operating parameters on the fly.
As
currently installed in Edmonton, TransPOD consists
of:
40 WiFi units (Priority Request Generators, or PRGs)
installed on city buses
9 WiFi units (Priority Request Servers, or PRSs)
located at priority intersections along the nine
kilometer route
Tropos mesh network.
The
PRG and PRS units communicate through the Tropos WiFi
network, which also relays logs and other real time
information from the units through three gateway clusters
to the city's Traffic Management Centre.
ETS
bus showing PRG mounted on top
Through WiFi, TransPOD™ also opens the door
to a variety of enhanced services, some of which have
the potential to become new revenue sources. Those
enhanced services include:
accurate next bus arrival information (displayable
at bus shelters and transit centres)
high speed mobile Internet connectivity for passengers
updatable and customizable infotainment services
(news, ads, TV shows and more)
VOIP services for passengers and operators
destination information for each neighbourhood the
bus passes through.
Edmonton's
TransPOD™ system has been in operation since
late last year. Rigorous testing and analysis utilizing
the unique operational data that the system provides
will be used this summer to measure how TransPOD™
reduces delays and to provide insights for optimizing
scheduling and system operation.
The
City is currently enhancing TransPOD™ to collect
black box data for each bus, as well as directional
and time-of-day conditional priority. It also plans
to expand TSP to other transit corridors. For more
information, please contact: Novax Industries at general@novax.com,
or via telephone at (604) 525-5644.
FUNDING
NEWS
Funding
Announcement: Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative
On May 11, 2007, $491.7 million in funding was announced for 10 strategic infrastructure projects for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative. Canada's new government has committed over $1 billion to the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, with $800 million going to projects in British Columbia.
Of the 10 projects announced, six will be in British Columbia, in recognition of its strategic geographical location as the entry and exit point for trade traffic between Asia and North America. Projects include road/rail separations, and highway and intersection improvements. Four other projects in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will also receive funding. Details on these projects will be announced at a later date. For full details, visit: www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2007/07-gc016e.htm.
Canada and Ontario Invest In New Technology To Keep Border Traffic Moving Smoothly
On May 7, 2007, the Governments of Canada and Ontario announced the introduction of new Intelligent Transportation Systems technology at the Blue Water Bridge border crossing along Highway 402 to enhance safety and help improve the flow of traffic. Both governments are contributing a total of $4.4 million for this technology, including:
• Pavement sensors that monitor vehicle speeds and, within 30 seconds, send traffic information to queue-end warning signs and to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's Southwestern Regional Communications Centre. The warning signs will provide motorists with information on traffic conditions ahead.
• Nine closed-circuit television cameras that will assist Ontario Ministry staff to detect incidents and dispatch emergency services sooner. As a result, road emergencies and related traffic congestion will be resolved more efficiently.
For full details, visit: www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2007/07-h080e.htm.
NEWS
bITS
Latest
IBEC Newsletter Now Available
The May IBEC Newsletter is now ready to download from
the IBEC website, providing a review of recent IBEC
activities and details of future events that IBEC
will be involved in, including plans for this year’s
ITS World Congress in October. Visit: www.ibec-its.org – click on news.
ITS
Slovenia Formed
In February 2007, it was announced that ITS Slovenia
has been formed, joining the ERTICO-hosted Network
of National ITS Associations. Currently with 20 members
from SMEs, universities and other key Slovenian ITS
players, its President is Dr. Tomaz Maher of the University
of Ljubljana, Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering,
Traffic Technical Institute. Its website is currently
under development.
MEMBERS
IN THE NEWS
In
early May, Applanix Corporation introduced
its most advanced medium format airborne directly
georeferenced imaging solution, the Digital Sensor
System (DSS) 439. Designed for flexible deployment
and a wide range of mapping applications, the new
system offers remote sensing and Geographic Information
System (GIS) specialists a powerful and complete airborne
digital imaging system with exceptional data processing
capabilities. For all the details, visit: ww.applanix.com.
NAVTEQ
has been chosen by the Ford Motor Company to provide
map data for its next generation IAM2.1 navigation
platform, which will be used for both Ford of Europe
and Premier Automotive Group navigation systems. For
further details, visit: www.navteq.com.
Also, a research study has shown significant benefits
for integrated navigation solutions, including a 40
percent reduction in communications costs, a 15 percent
reduction in fuel costs and an 18 percent reduction
in driver hours, among many other benefits. For full
details, contact Benoit Vaille at benoit.vaille@navteq.com.
ITS
CANADA WELCOMES NEW MEMBER
CORPORATE
City of Mississauga
UPCOMING
EVENTS
International
Conference on Gateways and Corridors
May 2 to 4, 2007 – Vancouver, B.C.
www.gateway-corridor.com |
| |
CITE 2007 Conference
May 6 to 9, 2007 – Toronto, Ontario
www.itetoronto.ca |
| |
15th International Symposium
on Electronics in Traffic (ISEP 2007)
May 9 to 11, 2007 – Ljubljana, Slovenia
www.ezs-zveza.si/isep2007/foreword |
| |
Intertraffic Istanbul
May 9 to 11, 2007 – Istanbul, Turkey
www.intertraffic.com |
| |
Africa Roads 2007
May 21 to 24, 2007 – Johannesburg, South
Africa
www.terrapinn.com/2007/roadza |
| |
XVII
Canadian Multidiscipinary Road Safety Conference
June 3 to 6, 2007 – Montreal, Quebec
www.cmrsc.polymtl.ca |
| |
ITS
America 2007 Annual Meeting and Exposition
June 4 to 6, 2007 – Palm Springs, California
www.itsa.org |
| |
7th International Conference
on ITS Telecommunications (ITST 2007)
June 6 to 8, 2007 – Sophia Antipolis, France
www.itst2007.eurecom.fr |
| |
|
ITS
New York Annual Meeting and Technology Exhibition
June
7 and 8, 2007 ö Saratoga Springs, New York
DottyD@aol.com |
| |
CUTA
Annual Conference
June 9 to 13, 2007 – Halifax, NS
www.cutaactu.ca |
| |
IBTTA Spring Technology
Workshop
June 10 to 12, 2007 – Berlin, Germany
www.ibtta.org/Events |
| |
2nd Ibero-American Congress/7th
ITS Argentina Congress
June 12 to 14, 2007 – Bueno Aires, Argentina
www.congresoits.com.ar |
| |
European
ITS Congress
June 18 to 20, 2007 – Aalborg, Denmark
www.itsineurope.com |
| |
Asia Traffic
July 9 to 12, 2007 – Singapore
www.asia-traffic.com |
| |
23rd World Road Congress
September 17 to 21, 2007 – Paris, France
www.paris2007-route.fr |
| |
75th IBTTA Annual Meeting
and Exposition
October 6 to 10, 2007 – Vienna, Austria
www.ibtta.org |
| |
National Rural ITS Conference
October 7 to 10, 2007 – Traverse City, MI
www.nritsconference.org |
| |
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14th
World Congress on ITS
October 9 to 13, 2007 – Beijing, China
www.itsa.org
|
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Intertraffic
North America
October 10 to 12, 2007 – Fort Lauderdale,
Florida
www.intertraffic.com
|
| |
TAC
Annual Conference and Exhibition
October 14 to 17, 2007 – Saskatoon, SK
www.tac-atc.ca |
| |
Gulf Traffic
Exhibition and Conference
December 10 to 12, 2007 – Dubai, UAE
www.gulftraffic.com |
| |
15th
World Congress on ITS/ITS America’s 2008
Annual Meeting & Exposition
November 17-20, 2008 – New York, NY
www.itsa.org/worldcongress.html |
Newsletter
published by ITS Canada.
Submissions
or comments can be emailed to askus@itscanada.ca.
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