vehicle testing. Ongoing work includes
rolling out a demonstration zone for
users in partnership with APMA, forg-
ing new partnerships and introducing
new digital infrastructure into the exist-
ing network. For example, Stratford’s
municipally owned local distribution
company, Festival Hydro, and high-
speed internet provider Rhyzome
Networks are currently working to
introduce dedicated short-range com-
munications technology that will enable
more efficient two-way communication
as autonomous vehicles evolve and
become integrated into public roads.
Lidar technology is also being intro-
duced to improve autonomous vehicle
distance measurement using pulsed
laser lights. Continued investment in
“
Stratford’s success
demonstrates the
importance of
local innovation,
and illustrates
the opportunities
available to
municipalities that
invest in digital
infrastructure.
”
digital infrastructure will enable the
advancement of fully connected and
autonomous vehicles in Stratford.
Stratford’s success demonstrates the
importance of local innovation, and
illustrates the opportunities available
to municipalities that invest in digital
infrastructure. However, it is impor-
tant to note that Stratford is not the
only municipality initiating these mea-
sures or benefiting from autonomous
vehicle development. For example,
Ford is building an autonomous vehicle
research and development centre in
Ottawa in partnership with Canadian
tech firm Blackberry QNX. Similarly,
Uber is locating its first research group
outside of the United States in Toronto.
Kitchener-Waterloo is home to the
WATCar Project and the Erwin Hymer
Group, both of whom have been testing
automated vehicles since 2016.
Given the near-ready status of
autonomous vehicles, it is clear that all
levels of government have work to do,
as technology has advanced ahead of
conventional public policy. When fully
autonomous vehicles arrive, revisions
will be required to the Highway Traffic
Act and the Motor Vehicle Safety Act,
along with other standards and regula-
tions. Canadian regulatory frameworks
will also require flexibility to accom-
modate autonomous vehicles and
adapt to changing technology. It will
be difficult to establish a consistent
and standardized regulatory frame-
work for autonomous vehicles that
still promotes innovation. Public safety
and liability issues will also need to be
addressed, along with the privacy issues
already being reviewed by the Office of
the Privacy Commissioner of Canada as
a result of the personal data collected
and stored by connected cars.
It is clear that the integration of
autonomous vehicles will have a
significant impact on municipal plan-
ning and infrastructure investment.
Municipalities may be responsible for
maintaining a complex network of
digital infrastructure to ensure that
driverless cars can adequately com-
municate with each other, respond
to traffic signals, and can clearly read
standardized road signs and lane
markings. Maintaining this advanced
digital network will require consistent
maintenance and upgrades, and will
also impact electricity generation and
distribution. Accordingly, adequate
planning for autonomous vehicles
should be initiated as soon as possible,
as their technological requirements
could divert resources away from other
vital local infrastructure. Municipalities
can begin preparing for the testing and
integration of autonomous vehicles by
discussing their potential impact, plan-
ning to invest in digital infrastructure,
and by investigating public-private
partnerships with corporations and
research institutions.
Driverle ss Ca rs
The introduction of driverless vehi-
cles will impact public policy at all levels
of government. Therefore, government
agencies should take a collaborative
approach to managing these changes.
While disruptive technology presents
many challenges, it also offers new
opportunities to influence public policy.
With adequate planning, municipalities
have an exciting opportunity to mod-
ernize their digital infrastructure and
transportation networks, and to build a
new sector of their local economies. The
road ahead will have some interesting
turns to navigate.
Stephanie Potter is a policy and
research associate with the City of
Stratford.
Consulting Services Include:
• Municipal/Education Development Charge
Policy and Cost Sharing
• Water/Sewer Rate Setting/Water Financial Plans
• Building Permit/Planning and Development Fees
• Long Range Financial Planning for School
Boards and Municipalities
• Asset Management/PSAB Compliance
• Fiscal and Economic Impact, Service Feasibility
and Needs Assessment
• Growth Management Strategies/Employment
Strategies
• Land Needs Studies, Demographics and
Fiscal/Economic Impact Analysis
• Ward Boundary Reviews
Tel: (905) 272-3600
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.watson-econ.ca
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