Region readying for emerging technologies like self-driving car
'We cannot wait for new technology to be on our roads before we are finding ways to respond,' says chair of the Region’s Transportation Services
Newmarkettoday.ca
October 21, 2019
York Regional Council received an update on York Region’s readiness to support advancements in transportation technology and how these technology tools can be used to improve traveller experience.
“Technology is changing the way people travel,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “It is important to understand how we can be ready and how these advancements will make our services more efficient for all road users.”
Emerging technologies such as the self-driving car will require significant infrastructure in place to perform properly, including infrastructure like traffic signals will soon need to communicate directly with vehicles.
“We cannot wait for new technology to be on our roads before we are finding ways to respond,” said Township of King Mayor Steve Pellegrini, Chair of the Region’s Transportation Services. “It is an exciting time to work with partners in both public and private sectors to find solutions and opportunities for innovation.”
York Region is already leveraging innovations in transportation technology to improve operations, including:
- Installing bluetooth sensors to monitor real-time travel times to better coordinate traffic signals and provide travel time information to regional travellers
- Installing technology on York Region Transit buses to warn bus drivers of potential conflicts with pedestrians and cyclists in busy urban areas
- Exploring ways to improve emergency response times by outfitting emergency vehicles with tools to better communicate with traffic signals
- Piloting six fully electric transit buses in the Town of Newmarket, beginning 2020
- York Region continues to work with researchers, government partners and industry to better understand and prepare for new transportation technology through information sharing, policy development, pilot testing and implementation of new technology.
The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.2 million residents and 52,000 businesses with over 636,600 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices.
