Moving Forward with Intelligence
Enhancing Vehicle and Passenger Safety

Improving commercial vehicle safety

In 2002 trucks represented 6.98 percent of all vehicles involved in collisions.

The Ontario Government has worked hard with industry, police and other organizations to improve the safety of the commercial vehicle fleet in Ontario. ITS offers opportunities to continue these improvements, including:

• On-board safety monitoring systems;
• Driver performance and operation monitoring systems; and,
• Incentive based inspection such as preclearance at commercial vehicle inspection facilities.

The Ontario government will further investigate opportunities presented by ITS and develop a comprehensive strategy with industry.

Many of these same solutions can also play a role in moving goods through Ontario's urban areas, and across the borders with the U.S.

Developing provincial policies on ITS - driver distraction issues

A major effort by the automotive and electronics industry focuses on safety devices in vehicles. These include technology to improve driver vision, provide backup warnings, communicate with roadside devices, warn of lane drift, and control the information presented to the driver at any given time. Some other devices focus on communications and general information for drivers and passengers, but may also present possible distractions. These include cell-phones, telematics and navigation systems.

The ministry needs to continue to work with its counterparts at the federal and provincial level, as well as private sector, road safety and academic partners, to develop provincial positions and policies on the use of these devices in vehicles. It should begin with a project to examine issues and consider policy options on driver distraction - and increased in-vehicle technology.

By working with Transport Canada, other provinces and international organizations, MTO will address safety in both new vehicle and aftermarket products.

Linking automated collision notification services with 911 emergency response

A direct link to 911 by automated emergency calls will save critical time for emergency crews to respond.

Automated in-vehicle information and safety systems, such as GM's OnStar® service, are gaining considerable market appeal. These systems are capable of providing an Automated Collision Notification (ACN) service, where in- vehicle devices sense when the vehicle has been in a collision and automatically link to a call centre providing data on the incident as well as voice communication with the traveller. Currently calls are directed to independent call centres, which then contact the appropriate emergency services to help the distressed traveller. This results in a delay in getting a response to the traveller.

It is possible to automatically detect an emergency call and have it routed directly to the 911 emergency response centre - saving time and possibly reducing the severity of injuries. The Ministry of Transportation can potentially work with ACN service providers, and other government agencies, to pilot this in Ontario.