This paper presents the background and results of a Transport Canada project that has been a remarkably sound transportation research and development investment, and has been successfully transferred to the marketplace. The paper covers the history of the VCN project from conceptualization, through demonstration, to full system application in Canada an elsewhere. Developed and marketed by Telecite Inc. with assistance from several sources, primarily Transport Canada through the Transportation Development Centre (TDC), the VCN is a unique communication system providing real-time information inside transit vehicle. TDC's desicions to support Telecite, with funding intended to develop accessible transport accessible transport for disabled and elderly persons, is an example of an enabling attitide to R&D proposals. In this case, the VCN not only succeeded, its original concept was improved, and all public transit travellers have benefited. An enabling approach to project selection, combined with an open-minded evaluation using a few critical criteria, can do much to make Canada competitive. (A)
Abstract