The Atlantic provinces have unique transportation challenges. The region’s largely rural population is connected by a network of critical road, bridge and ferry links. Bad weather can cause severe and sudden impacts on this transportation network.
Some areas of the region are quite remote to major North American markets and need an effective transportation network to keep costs low. As the gateway to the United States and the rest of Canada, New Brunswick relies upon an efficient network of key trade corridors for economic growth. Road safety and emergency response times can be a concern.
Many of these challenges can be improved or overcome through the use of advanced or emerging technologies, also known as intelligent transportation systems (ITS).
This new strategic plan combines the needs and wants of a broad range of 80 stakeholders interested in intelligent transportation systems in the Atlantic region.
These needs have been translated into an ITS vision in which people and goods move seamlessly throughout the region. Ultimately 22 specific strategic projects and an implementation plan have been developed. An economic development and academic research component was performed parallel to the main project, focusing on advancing the Atlantic Region ITS industry.
The Atlantic Provinces Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems Strategic Planning Study was developed through a partnership of all four Atlantic provinces and the federal government. The partners included the provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Transport Canada.