Region of Waterloo Feasibility Study to Evaluate Potential Greenhouse Gas Reductions Through the Implementation of Miovision Spectrum

The Region of Waterloo (ROW) is collaborating with Miovision Technologies Inc. and IBI Group to measure and evaluate the environmental benefits of implementing an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) to support reduced fuel consumption and GHG emissions. The feasibility study will examine the benefits of connecting real-time data from the region’s almost 500 traffic signals to the region’s Traffic Control Centre to reduce congestion and improve road safety. The technology “watches” an intersection by using wireless connectivity, cloud-based computing, and a 360° camera and interfaces with the traffic lights to optimize traffic flow and reduce idling. Miovision, a Kitchener, ON-based technology company, estimates that implementing the proposed Spectrum ITS solution will reduce vehicle emissions by a projected 10% per optimized signal, which would reduce annual GHG emissions by 38,500 tonnes of CO2e. Reducing GHG emissions was identified as a key focus area within the Regional Transportation Master Plan, which identified ITS as a solution through citizen and community group consultations. The feasibility study is also in line with the target in the Climate Action Plan to reduce GHG emissions by 6% by 2020. The Climate Action Plan recommends encouraging alternative modes of transportation such as walking, cycling, and public transit. ITS systems could support this goal by reducing vehicular congestion and giving priority to public transit. The feasibility study will provide a technical analysis and presentation of the cost and benefits of the technology, while IBI group will provide a third party assessment of the GHG reduction potential. This initiative offers knowledge value in the realm of smart cities and asset management. A deployment of the Spectrum ITS solution would provide the first test case of the technology in a Canadian city. The ROW is committed to open access to data, and the results of the study will benefit other municipalities and regional governments considering smart technology to lower GHG emissions. (Project description from original funding application)