FINAL REPORT A National Agenda for Technological Research and Development in Road and Intermodal Transportation Transportation Association of Canada Association des transports du Canada September 1999 FINAL REPORT A National Agenda for Technological Research and Development in Road and Intermodal Transportation Jerry Hajek Norm Mealing Ovi Colavincenzo John Billing Guy Doré Paul Carter Alison Smiley Milt Harmelink George Comfort September 1999 DISCLAIMER The views, opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policies of the Transportation Association of Canada. The material in the text was carefully researched and presented. However, no warranty expressed or implied is made on the accuracy of the contents or their extraction from reference to publications; nor shall the fact of distribution constitute responsibility by TAC or any research or contributors for omissions, errors or possible misrepresentations that may result from use or interpretation of the material contained herein. Copyright 2000 by Transportation Association of Canada 2323 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, ON K1G 4J8 Tel. (613) 736-1350 ~ Fax (613) 736-1395 www.tac-atc.ca ISBN 1-55187-127-0 Executive Summary This report documents the conclusions of the TAC initiative to develop a National Agenda for Road and Intermodal Transportation in Canada. The agenda identifies trends, opportunities and needs, as well as specific high priority R&D projects, relevant for advancing Canadian highway transportation. The focus of the Agenda is on identifying R&D opportunities to optimize the management of the road system and intermodal transportation, and minimize the cost of road transport while maintaining or improving safety. The Agenda can be also used to identify opportunities for collaboration between research agencies on common issues and problems, and to reduce duplication of effort between agencies. The Agenda was developed by a team of ten highway technology experts through a widely-based consultative process. Input for the agenda was systematically solicited from provincial, territorial, municipal, academic, and industry representatives. The consultative process was achieved through direct contacts by the project team members, a questionnaire presented to over 40 Canadian highway transportation professionals, and an Open Forum held during the 1999 TAC meeting in Toronto. The results are presented in the following nine technology sections addressing all key areas of road and intermodal transportation. • Strategic issues • Asset Management • Vehicle technology and environment • Transportation of goods • Pavement technology • Structures • Safety and human factors • Traffic management and ITS • Winter maintenance operations Information presented for the nine technology sections is systematically organized and identifies technology-specific trends, opportunities and needs, as well as over 50 specific R&D projects recommended for implementation. The recommended R&D projects are described in terms of proposed solution, expected benefits, partnership opportunities, and resources required. The availability of the agenda is only the first step in advancing, invigorating and co-ordinating R&D activities. We also need an action plan to implement the agenda and we need to keep in mind that the proposed agenda needs to be periodically reviewed. Transportation Association of Canada i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This National Agenda for technological research and development in road and intermodal transportation was made possible with funding provided by the Research and Development Council of the Transportation Association of Canada. The report was developed under the guidance of a project steering committee of volunteer members. TAC and the authors of this document would like to express their appreciation and gratitude to the committee members for their time and effort throughout the project. Project Steering Committee Guy Cautillo Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Merv Clark B.C. Transportation and Highways Daniel Deschênes Ministère des Transports du Québec Alan Ip Ministry of Transportation, Ontario William F. Johnson Transportation Development Centre Transport Canada A.E. Pokotylo Transport Canada (Retired) Albert Stevens University of New Brunswick Christopher Hedges (Project Manager) Transportation Association of Canada Transportation Association of Canada ii Table of Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................................................. i Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... iii Foreword .................................................................................................................................... vii Study Origins and Objectives .......................................................................................................................... vii Study Organization and Authorship................................................................................................................ vii Report Organization.......................................................................................................................................... ix Concluding Remarks ......................................................................................................................................... ix A/ STRATEGIC ISSUES ......................................................................................................... 1 1. The Strategic Context.................................................................................................................................. 2 1.1 Transportation Priorities........................................................................................................................ 2 2. Statistical Trends ......................................................................................................................................... 9 3. Canadian Transportation R&D.................................................................................................................. 12 3.1 Financing................................................................................................................................................. 12 3.2 Organization .......................................................................................................................................... 13 3.3 R&D Delivery ....................................................................................................................................... 13 4. Opportunities and Needs and Strategic Initiatives ................................................................................... 13 4.1 Methodology for Prioritizing R&D Initiatives and Projects.................................................................. 14 4.2 Strategic Transportation R&D Initiatives.............................................................................................. 15 5. References..................................................................................................................................................... 17 B/ ASSET MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................... 19 1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................................. 20 2. Overview of Trends...................................................................................................................................... 20 3. Opportunities, Needs, and Problems.......................................................................................................... 21 4. Research and Development Projects and Activities.................................................................................. 24 5. References..................................................................................................................................................... 27 C/ VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT ........................................... 29 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 30 2. Overview of Trends and Issues ............................................................................................................... 31 2.1 Trends in Vehicle Energy Demand........................................................................................................ 31 2.2 Technology Development Options for Automobiles, Trucks and Transit Buses................................... 34 2.3 Alternative Fuels.................................................................................................................................... 38 3. Description of Research Opportunities .................................................................................................. 43 3.1 Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Programs ........................................................................................ 43 3.2 Fuel Cell Technology ............................................................................................................................ 43 3.3 Emission and Fuel Economy Testing of Transit Buses ........................................................................