Transport Canada announces support for connected and automated vehicles and for research and development to reduce air emissions from rail transportation

OTTAWA, Aug. 29, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is protecting air quality so that Canadians have healthy communities in which to live, work and raise their families, while investing in innovation that will create Canada's transportation system of tomorrow.

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, was in Ottawa today to announce funding under two Transport Canada programs.

An investment of $265,000 through the Program to Advance Connectivity and Automation in the Transportation System will help Canadian jurisdictions prepare for connected and automated vehicles.

An investment of $50,000 funded under the Clean Rail Academic Grant Program will support academic research programs that are developing technologies and practices to reduce air emissions from the rail sector.

The recipients are:

• City of Ottawa
• To install smart traffic signals to reduce vehicle emissions and improve traffic flows - ($140,000 through the Program to Advance Connectivity and Automation in the Transportation System)
• Canadian Automobile Association
• To educate consumers about new connected and automated vehicle safety technologies - ($25,000 through the Program to Advance Connectivity and Automation in the Transportation System)
• Unmanned Systems Canada
• To launch a competition to help students learn about automated vehicle technologies - ($50,000 through the Program to Advance Connectivity and Automation in the Transportation System)
• Carleton University
• To evaluate how connected and automated vehicles will influence infrastructure design and planning - ($50,000 through the Program to Advance Connectivity and Automation in the Transportation System)
• To assess how new lightweight materials can improve the safety, efficiency and environmental performance of the rail transportation system (up to $25,000 through the Clean Rail Academic Grant Program)
• To create a railcar design that will reduce fuel consumption and emissions, while being cost effective for industry to use (up to $25,000 through the Clean Rail Academic Grant Program)

Quotes

"Our clean transportation efforts will achieve emission reductions, improve human health, and provide environmental benefits, while supporting clean growth and generating jobs for Canadians. We all benefit by supporting research of new and emerging technologies."
The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"Connected and automated vehicle technology has immense potential and will have a tremendous impact on our transportation system, while our clean technologies are a key part of Canada's approach to sustainable economic growth. Through projects like these, we develop technologies and practices that will generate new economic opportunities for middle-class Canadians."
The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

Quick Facts

Program to Advance Connectivity and Automation in the Transportation System:

• From September 28, 2017, to November 30, 2017, provinces and territories, municipalities, Indigenous peoples, academia, and not-for-profit organizations were eligible to submit proposals for grants and contributions through the program. All projects will be completed by March 31, 2022.
• Connected and automated vehicles use technology, such as on-board sensors, cameras, global positioning systems, and telecommunications to provide warnings and assist with driving.
• Many of today's vehicles already feature partial automation, including speed control, and braking and steering assist. Transport Canada has for many years been assessing some of the components of automated vehicles and continues to assess their benefit to the overall safety of Canadians.
• Transport Canada is working with international governments through the United Nations to develop guidelines and regulatory requirements that facilitate innovation and aid in the safe deployment of automated features.
• Transport Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada are working in close collaboration and with other federal departments and provincial and territorial governments to develop a coherent national approach that will facilitate the safe introduction of these technologies on Canadian roads.

Clean Rail Academic Grant Program:

• The Clean Rail Academic Grant Program provides funding to support academic research programs that are developing new technologies and practices that reduce air emissions from the rail sector.
• Under Round 5 of the Program, 10 research projects will receive a grant of up to $25,000.

Associated Links

• Program to Advance Connectivity and Automation in the Transportation System
• Trade and Transportation Corridors Initiative
• Clean Rail Academic Grant Program

SOURCE Transport Canada