The City of Toronto is partnering with the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) to support a Technology Pilot Zone Project that will test innovative technology solutions to transportation challenges in the unique context of Toronto’s streets.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and OVIN will provide eligible small- and medium-sized enterprises with up to $100,000 in funding to test traffic management technologies in real-world environments enabled by 5G wireless connectivity and leading-edge computing technologies including artificial intelligence (AI).
Mayor Olivia Chow and Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN announced the partnership today alongside the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, the Honourable Victor Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and the Honourable Vijay Thanigasalam, Ontario Associate Minister of Transportation.
More information about the eligibility requirements and application intakes is available on the OVIN Technology Pilot Zones webpage.
Addressing congestion and improving road safety
The MOU supports the City’s Congestion Management Plan 2023-2026 which Toronto City Council adopted in November 2023 to address traffic management that Toronto faces as a vibrant and growing city.
As part of the Congestion Management Plan, the City is also partnering with telecommunications companies and their traffic technology partners – including Bell Canada with Caliber Communications, Rogers Communications with NoTraffic and TELUS with Miovision – to enable pilot projects aimed at reducing travel times, improving road safety and enhancing transit priority.
During these pilots, the companies will deploy new traffic camera and sensor technologies that utilize AI and 5G wireless networks to improve and accelerate traffic management strategies.
Following the pilots, the City may procure the technologies that successfully demonstrate the ability to alleviate congestion, improve road safety, enhance transit priority and make transportation more efficient for Toronto residents, businesses and visitors.
Quotes:
“As a vibrant, dynamic and growing city, it’s important to explore new ways to better manage all forms of traffic so we can keep Toronto moving. We are proud to partner with OVIN to leverage the potential of innovative traffic technology that can help ensure all road users have a smoother, faster and safer journey on our streets.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“Having secured over $43 billion in new electric vehicle and EV battery manufacturing investments over the last four years, our government continues to recognize the economic potential of advanced automotive technologies. We congratulate OVIN and the City of Toronto on the launch of their new Technology Pilot Zone, and look forward to the new innovations in urban mobility solutions that will be produced by Ontario-based SMEs.”
– Victor Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
“Our government is working tirelessly to ensure our province has the transportation infrastructure we need to support our growing population. The launch of the OVIN Technology Pilot Zone will help find ways to make transit more seamless and is a major step forward in realizing our vision for the future of urban mobility.”
– Vijay Thanigasalam, Ontario Associate Minister of Transportation
“The work being done through OVIN’s pilot zones is vital to the growth of Canada’s EV and connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology and manufacturing sector, and the health of our communities and environment. That is why in February we invested $8 million to support the development and commercialization of new transportation technologies and innovative solutions in southern Ontario through this project. The Government of Canada is happy to support OVIN as we work together for a brighter future for Canadians.”
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“As Ontario and Canada’s economic and tech powerhouse and largest metropolitan area, the City of Toronto is uniquely positioned to adopt innovative urban mobility technologies that will facilitate safer, cleaner, and more efficient transportation. The OVIN Technology Pilot Zone for urban mobility cultivates the unparalleled potential of made-in-Ontario innovation to address mobility challenges, while accelerating their commercialization and growth.
– Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.