Canada's congested roads
As Canada's car ownership has grown over the last
few decades, roadways have not kept pace. Especially in rapidly expanding
cities, highways that used to operate well below capacity have become congested
for large parts of the day.
- Total length of Canada's roadways: 1,042,300 km
- Number of registered passenger vehicles in Canada: 17,920,000
- Increase in Canada's roadways over the last 20 years: about
20%
- Increase in the number of passenger vehicles over
the last 20 years: about
60%
- Increase in Canada's population over the last 20 years: 16%
- Average
time spent by Canadians commuting to and from work: 12 full
days per year
- Average time spent by Canadians commuting in 2005: 63 minutes
per day
- Average time spent by Canadians commuting in 1992: 54
minutes per day
- City with the longest average commute time: Toronto (79
minutes)
- Cities with the largest increases in commute times
over the last 15 years: Calgary and Montreal
- Number of workers who spend 90 minutes or more each
day commuting: 25%, up from 17% in 1992
Sources: Statistics
Canada & Transport
Canada
See the GTA
Cordon Count which shows how traffic volumes have increased in Canada's
largest urban center. (.pdf file)
To learn more about how ITS can help alleviate congestion, read an interview
with traffic engineer
Baher Abdulhai.
What are Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)?
Intelligent Transportation Systems can be used to reduce traffic congestion.
They involve the use of advanced information and communication technologies
to maximize the performance of transportation systems and enhance safety.
The most basic types of ITS include familiar tools like traffic signals
to control the flow of vehicles and provide safety. More advanced systems
use real-time data of traffic flow and weather conditions to continually
adjust traffic management and provide up-to-date information to motorists.
Some technologies currently being used are:
- realistic computer
simulations of real-world traffic that allow engineers to
test and optimize road and public transit designs before building them
- coordinated ramp meters that regulate the flow of cars onto highways
to reduce the chances of traffic jams and maximize the throughput
of cars
- roadway and vehicle sensors that supply real-time traffic data
that can be used to adjust traffic lights downstream and reduce delays
- roadside
video cameras that help emergency response teams to identify and
respond to collisions and obstructions more quickly, leading to faster
medical response and shorter highway delays
- electronic toll booths
that allow motorists to use toll roadways without having to stop
to pay
- driverless cars using technology such as adaptive cruise control
and collision sensors to literally take the wheel out of the driver's
hands
- changeable
message boards that can inform drivers of traffic
jams and suggest alternate routes
For more info on ITS in Canada, visit the Transport
Canada ITS website.
California is a leader in ITS implementation. To see how ITS is being
used in California, visit Caltrans or
the Department
of Transportation.
The CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external
sites. All links will open in a new browser window.
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