Government uses north in border conjestion study.

• Author: Louiseize, Kelly
• Position: NEWS

Northern Ontario's border crossing faces various challenges but congestion, such as that experienced in the Windsor-Detroit corridor, is not one of them.

Nonetheless, Transport Canada is conducting a study to develop strategies for using technology with an eye to improving the traffic flow and information at all international border crossings.

The idea is to utilize new technologies, or what are called Integrated Transportation Systems (ITS). The system marries a combination of computer, information processing, sensing tools and telecommunication systems.

Within the family of ITS instruments are Traffic Management Systems. They are sensing devices installed in the pavement of some of the larger urban centres that work in conjunction with roadside remote-controlled cameras and display screens. The intent is to inform drivers of the road conditions or traffic flow. All the information is linked to a traffic management centre.

"There are actually people at the other end taking in the messages and they are the ones who activate roadside signs," says Susan Spencer, Transport Canada's director of Intelligent Transportation Systems policy office.

Road conditions then become predictable as the sensors, through the computer integration system, are able to communicate impending weather changes to town and city officials. It has huge health and environmental benefits. Municipalities can save money, she says, for example by using less salt before a snowfall and more after.

"You use four times more salt (once the change already occurs) than you would if you could get it done beforehand plus you're mitigating the effect salt has on the environment," she says.

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