Opportunities for the Application of Intelligent Transportation Systems to Commercial Vehicle Operations ( ITS - CVO ) in the Prairie Region for Truck Safety Improvement

Improving motor carrier and highway safety is a primary focus of many transportation agencies in Canada and the U.S. With the decreased building of new infrastructure, and the rapid growth of trucking activity in the two countries, it is important to develop innovative ways to improve highway safety as it relates to commercial vehicles. Due to the nature of trucking in the Canadian Prairie region, its safety performance may be impacted to a large extent by the application of intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Based on current knowledge about truck operations and safety in the region, it has been determined that there may be great opportunities for safety improvements, particularly regarding weather-related issues, seasonal weight regulations, and special permit operations in the region. This paper investigates the potential for the application of ITS to commercial vehicle operations in the Prairie region for improved truck safety. More specifically, the paper: (1) describes the trucking activity in the region; (2) presents the results of previous research about truck accidents on provincial highways in the prairies, including urban and rural areas; (3) discusses the Canadian ITS architecture, particularly its commercial vehicle operation component; and (4) identifies potential ways to improve truck safety by applying ITS to CVO in the region.