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New Technology Improves Public Transit Efficiency, Increases Convenience
For Commuters
QUEEN'S PARK, April 19 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is improving ride
times for commuters by allowing all transit vehicles in the province to
install technology that speeds up bus traffic and cuts congestion, announced
Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar.
With the traffic signal pre-emption technology, buses, streetcars and
other transit maintenance vehicles can shorten a red, or lengthen a green
traffic signal to their advantage when approaching an intersection. This
technology is currently used by emergency vehicles.
"We are investing more than $1.3 billion in transit across the province
this year," said Takhar. "This technology gets riders to their destination
more quickly."
"This announcement is good news for transit riders as it can help to cut
down on commuting time," said Canadian Urban Transit Association President &
CEO Michael Roschlau. "This makes better use of our road space and promotes
transit as faster alternative to the car."
The regulation to permit the use of traffic signal pre-emption technology
in buses and streetcars is part of the Transportation Statute Law Amendment
Act (Bill 169). Police will enforce the misuse of the technology and will
ticket drivers $100 to $1000 for using it in a vehicle not permitted to have
this type device installed.
Under the province's ReNew Ontario infrastructure investment plan, by
2010, the government will have invested $11.4 billion for public transit,
highways, border crossings and other transportation systems. This record
investment will help to reduce pollution, commute times and traffic
congestion.
"Quick, reliable and safe transportation is vital to our economic success
and essential to our quality of life," added Takhar.
Disponible en français
www.mto.gov.on.ca
Backgrounder
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MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT MAKING TRANSIT MORE EFFICIENT
AND CONVENIENT FOR COMMUTERS
Pre-emptive Traffic Signal Control Device
Under the Transportation Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005, public transit
vehicles (municipal buses and GO Transit) and traffic signal maintenance
vehicles are allowed to install and use pre-empting traffic control signal
devices. This gives transit vehicles priority and makes transit more
efficient. Prior to this legislation, only emergency vehicles were allowed
this technology to decrease their response times.
This initiative responds to requests from municipal transit authorities.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and York Region have already implemented
forms of this transit priority system on some of their routes. Ottawa and
other municipal transit authorities are also investigating using this
technology.
Signal priority technology uses sensors placed in the pavement about
100 metres in front of an intersection. As the transit vehicle approaches the
traffic signals, the sensors respond to a transmitter on the transit vehicle
to shorten a red signal, or lengthen a green signal, depending on the signal
being displayed to the approaching transit vehicle.
Other Ontario Government Transit Initiatives
- The Ontario 2006 Budget, announced Move Ontario, $1.2 billion for
public transit and municipal roads and bridges to help people and
goods move faster and build a strong economy, including:
- $95 million for Brampton AcceleRide
- $65 million for Mississauga Transitway
- $1 million for an environmental assessment relating to the
future of the Scarborough RT.
- In addition, the McGuinty government has:
- Provided municipalities with $232 million in gas tax funding
for 2005/06 to improve service and expand ridership
- Invested $1 billion in GO capital expansion, including new
GO stations to improve access to GO services (funding
partnership with other levels of government)
- Introduced an integrated fare collection system to enable
commuters to travel on public transit from Durham to Hamilton
using a single fare card
- Opened Ontario's first High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on
400 series highways
- Opened bus bypass shoulders to allow buses to move freely
during times of congestion
- Provided funding to replace, refurbish and expand municipal
fleets.
Disponible en français
www.mto.gov.on.ca
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For further information: Media Contacts: Stephanie Nadalin, Minister's Office, (416) 327-1815; Bob Nichols, Communications Branch, (416) 327-1158; Public Inquiries: (416) 235-4686 (GTA), 1-800-268-4686 toll free, 1-866-471-8929 TTY
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