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that commits to spending 1 to 2 per cent of asset value by
2023 to ensure provincial highways are maintained.
As federal and provincial budgets are constrained,
infrastructure funding scenarios cannot overlook the long-term
impacts of failing to maintain the structures we build
today. Our Panel never disputed the short-term economic
gains driven by immediate construction. Still, we were
deliberate in stating that roadbuilding requires a focused
effort over a prolonged time frame. Poorly managed assets
can quickly become liabilities. Creative funding models,
such as public private partnerships, can prevent that
from happening.
The third priority our group zeroed in on was Alberta’s
need to develop more understanding and expertise in
emerging technologies and multimodal transportation. This
segment of our industry has always been a challenge to
describe to outsiders – including many policymakers.
New technology, materials and innovations in
engineering and construction lead to better roads, just
as they do in most other industries. We recommended
the provincial government recognize this by developing
specific policies that encourage, complement and accelerate
the adoption of emerging technologies and drive efficiency
by incentivizing industry partners to adapt and stay
current. An exciting horizon on this front is for roadways
to integrate the infrastructure required to accommodate
connected and autonomous vehicles.
Most importantly, our Panel made several
recommendations in the priority area of safety. Transport
deaths remain the highest percentage of accidental deaths
in Canada, and many if not most are preventable. Road
and heavy construction operators are safety experts whose
feedback is critical to ensuring the Alberta Traffic Safety
Plan remains rigorous, as is access to driver training
and enforcement.
Our Panel found that industry is eager to adopt new
technology and materials to improve safety though road
design, construction and lifecycle maintenance. We
specifically touched on Intelligent Transportation System
technologies as innovative ways to improve safety and
relieve road congestion. This is an especially exciting
technology frontier as large urban centres look to smart
infrastructure upgrades. Parallel investments in public
education about traffic and driver safety – especially
around distracted driving, winter conditions and roadside
emergency scenes – are also critical.
These priority areas are just part of the broader vision our
Panel shared with the ARHCA. Further details on our 27
recommendations can be found on DrivingImprovement.ca.
Two years ago, when we started this work, no one could
have predicted the unique challenges our province is facing
today. As Alberta looks ahead, no one knows what the
future has in store for us. However, if we fail to embrace
change, we fundamentally put ourselves at a disadvantage.
It is time to be bold and look at new ideas including new
ways of building our roads and building our economy. n
ALBERTA HEAVY Quarter 4 2020 19
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