Skip to main content

Automated vehicles coming to Ontario roads

Ontario, Canada, is supporting innovation in the transportation sector by launching the first automated vehicle (AV) pilot program in Canada, led by the University of Waterloo, the Erwin Hymer Group and BlackBerry QNX. The pilot brings together a range of expertise from the research, manufacturing and technology sectors to advance innovation and capability in Ontario's AV sector. The WATCar Project at the University of Waterloo's Centre for Automotive Research will monitor a Lincoln MKZ for performan
November 29, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Ontario, Canada, is supporting innovation in the transportation sector by launching the first automated vehicle (AV) pilot program in Canada, led by the University of Waterloo, the Erwin Hymer Group and BlackBerry QNX.

The pilot brings together a range of expertise from the research, manufacturing and technology sectors to advance innovation and capability in Ontario's AV sector.

The WATCar Project at the University of Waterloo's Centre for Automotive Research will monitor a Lincoln MKZ for performance and test it on-road at different levels of automation.

Auto manufacturer The Erwin Hymer Group will test and monitor a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van at different levels of automation.

Canadian software development specialist BlackBerry QNX will test a 2017 Lincoln with automated features.

In January 2016, Ontario became the first province in Canada to create a pilot regulatory framework to test automated vehicles on its roads. The pilot aims to help attract and enable research and development in Ontario in this emerging industry, positioning the province as a global leader in the AV market.

Related Content

  • June 27, 2016
    Canada's first high-occupancy toll lanes to open September 2016
    Ontario is launching Canada's first high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on 15 September as part of a pilot project on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) between Trafalgar Road in Oakville and Guelph Line in Burlington to help manage congestion and add another option for travellers. Existing high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on the highway will be designated as HOT lanes. As part of the pilot, Ontario is issuing a Request for Information seeking innovative technologies that can be used to support tolling, complia
  • December 16, 2014
    Dynamic charging boosts electric vehicles’ potential
    With an increasing need to use electric vehicles in city centres to reduce pollution, David Crawford looks at various solutions to power delivery. The UN’s September 2014 Climate Summit has added fresh momentum to the drive to increase urban electric vehicle (EV) takeup. It has launched the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative, which wants to see EVs accounting for 30% of all urban travel by 2030, and make cities worldwide more friendly to their use. Encouragingly, the plan is being well supported by commerci
  • October 23, 2017
    UK Government announces funding for Smart Mobility Lab in London
    A consortium led by TRL has been awarded £13.4 million ($10.1 million) of the UK government's £51 million ($38 million) Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) testbed funding to create a Smart Mobility Living Lab (SMLL) in Greenwich and nearby Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London. The funding is part of the £100 million ($75 million) UK CAV test bed competitive fund and is the first investment by government and industry through Meridian to develop a national CAV testing infrastructure.
  • April 12, 2013
    Connected vehicles - potential to transform US transportation
    There’s a new face in the driving seat at the US Department of Transport’s ITS Joint Program Office. Fortunately, as Robin Meczes finds out, he’s no learner driver… Ask Kenneth Leonard why he wanted his new job as director of the ITS Joint Program Office, and his answer comes back without a second’s delay. “The potential to save lives, reduce injuries and help people enjoy a more efficient transportation system is the kind of challenge that makes me want to come to work each morning,” he says. “In my opinio