City of Vancouver receives $386k in funding for research on self-driving vehicles

VANCOUVER, Aug. 10, 2018 /CNW/ - Joyce Murray, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, today announced over $386K in funding to the City of Vancouver for their infrastructure and pilot deployment planning project for connected and automated vehicles. The City of Vancouver's project will explore how self-driving vehicles and connected vehicles can integrate into our future transportation network, to make our city safer, less congested and sustainable.

Transport Canada is supporting projects to prepare Canada for connected and automated vehicles. Connected and automated vehicles will bring about significant transformation in our transportation system, our communities, and our economy. They have the potential to improve road safety, reduce congestion, increase mobility, protect the environment, and generate new economic opportunities for middle-class Canadians.

As part of the Government of Canada's innovation agenda, the government is supporting the future of transportation in Canada. That is why Transport Canada is providing $2.9M in funding under the Program to Advance Connectivity and Automation in the Transportation System in order to help Canadian jurisdictions prepare for connected and automated vehicles.

Quotes

"Vancouver is a global hub for innovation where digital technology is creating the economy of tomorrow. The Federal Government is pleased to partner with the City of Vancouver to prepare our community for connected and automated vehicle technology that will ultimately make our roads safer, reduce congestion, and benefit our local economy."
Joyce Murray, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra

"Connected and automated vehicle technology has immense potential and will have a tremendous impact on our transportation system. This funding will help our stakeholders improve their understanding of connected and automated vehicle technologies, and how to safely and securely integrate them into our road system in order to capture their many benefits."
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport

"I am pleased that the federal government is supporting Vancouver's exploration of automated vehicles and how they fit in our future transportation network. Thanks to this funding, we will learn more about how automated vehicles can help make our cities safer, less congested, and 100 per cent renewably powered."
Gregor Robertson, Mayor of Vancouver

Quick Facts

• 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.  

Associated Links:

• Program to Advance Connectivity and Automation in the Transportation System
• Trade and Transportation Corridors Initiative

SOURCE Transport Canada