Edmonton roads will be used to test Canada’s first wireless vehicle applications.
The project was launched in Alberta’s capital Friday at the second International Conference on Transportation Innovation.
The conference was held at the University of Alberta where attendees had the opportunity to participate in an on-road demonstration of the connected vehicle applications as part of the ACTIVE Test-Bed.
The ACTIVE-AURORA project utilises connected vehicles with wireless mobile devices that are present in a car or a truck to exchange information in real-time with roadside equipment like traffic lights or message signs, as well as with other vehicles. For example, researchers will be able to test systems that would let a driver know that a collision has happened ahead, or that traffic is slowing after the next exit.
This information could be used to improve traffic flow and road safety.
“The City of Edmonton is proud to participate in a project that is cutting-edge and has the potential to make our roads safer for our citizens. We eagerly anticipate the results from the testing on our streets,” Mayor Don Iverson said.
The ACTIVE-AURORA project is a partnership between three levels of government: the Government of Canada (Transport Canada), the Government of Alberta (Transport Alberta) and the City of Edmonton. Academic institutions and several industry partners are also involved.
READ MORE: University of Alberta gets $83M in infrastructure funding from province and feds
First announced in 2014, the project has seen the Government of Canada invest $1.3 million in this project through the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Fund.
Several public and private partners, which include the University of Alberta, the Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton, are also providing a total of $2.3 million in funding.
Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau as well as Alberta’s Infrastructure Minister Brian Mason were among those in attendance for Friday’s announcement.
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