About COMPASS
COMPASS is a high-tech Freeway Traffic Management System developed by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to respond to traffic congestion problems on urban freeways. COMPASS helps reduce traffic congestion and increase safety by:
- allowing for the prompt detection and removal of freeway incidents and vehicle breakdowns;
- providing accurate and timely freeway incident and delay information to motorists; and,
- effectively managing peak rush hour traffic flow through innovative traffic control devices.
The initial leg of the Highway 401 COMPASS System - a 16-kilometre section between Martin Grove Road and
Yonge Street - was completed and put into operation in January 1991. The system used state-of-the-art technologies and was regarded as one of the most advanced traffic management systems in North America. Over the years, the
Highway 401 COMPASS System has been upgraded with more advanced equipment and computer software programs. The geographical limits of the system have also been expanded both easterly and westerly to cover
the entire section of Highway 401 within the Toronto region.
In addition, new initiatives are being designed for the Greater Toronto Area Freeway Network and for Highway 417 in Ottawa. Other systems on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) in Mississauga and Burlington are also going through a series of upgrade and expansion activities.
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