Delcan Corporation
Project: iMove Multi-Modal Traveler Information System
Category: Traffic Management & ITS
Project Summary
From planes, trains and automobiles, to cycling and ferry sailing, TransLink’s web-based
iMove® System is a one-stop transportation portal providing real-time and static traveller
information for Metro Vancouver. The iMove® web portal (www.i-move.ca) is illustrated in
Figure 1, with specific features presented in Figure 2 and Figure 3, enables transportation
consumers in Metro Vancouver to quickly access information on a host of transportation
issues, including transit and cycling routes, construction and event information, current
incidents, airline arrivals and departures, border crossing wait times, ferry sailing time and
loadings, all from a single source.
iMove® was developed as the first phase of the Regional Advanced Traveller Information (ATIS) strategy of the BC Provincial Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Vision and Strategic Plan. The project is a joint initiative of TransLink's ITS Corporation with Transport Canada, British Columbia Ministry of Transportation, Vancouver Airport Authority, Western Economic Diversification Fund, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in cooperation with the Metro Vancouver municipalities and E-Comm, the region’s emergency 911 organization.
Delcan was awarded the contract to design and deploy iMove® in 2004 and started with the development of a concept of operations by identifying existing and future prospective information resources from Metro Vancouver transportation agencies and private transportation providers. A functional design of the ATIS service was developed from the concept and accounted for institutional issues, governance, compliance with the ITS Architecture for Canada as illustrated in Figure 4, ITS standards, technology, operation, and maintenance.
The iMove® system first phase deployed in November 2007, encompasses the delivery of pre-trip traveller information as illustrated in Figure 5, for motorists, cyclists, transit users, inter-regional travellers, visitors and commercial vehicle operators via a web portal. The cornerstone of the portal is a feature-rich interactive map based on the Google Maps service that presents layers of traveler information customized to the mode of travel. Travel information is provided on current traffic conditions, construction, planned road closures, transit service information, bus routes and schedules, cycling routes, weather, CCTV cameras, dynamic message signs, inspection stations, disaster routes, port operations, USA/Canada border crossings, etc. The iMove® system obtains real time information (e.g. traffic flow, CCTV cameras etc.) from the Ministry of Transportation, City of Vancouver, Port of Vancouver, The Weather Network, Washington State Department of Transportation, Metro Vancouver municipalities and major constrcution project teams (i.e. Golden Ears Bridge, Canada Line). The portal also provides links to private transportation operators to obtain a full picture of travel options.
In 2009, the iMove® project was recognized by the Consulting Engineers of Ontario with an Award of Merit in Transportation at the annual 2009 CEO AGM.
In recognition of the current level of activities in British Columbia, in particular the investments planned to be in place for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the iMove® phase 1 implementation lays the ground work to take advantage of the momentum building up to the 2010 Olympics, which will drive the need for increased traveller information and better geographic coverage.