Item - 2018.PW26.4

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee in the first quarter of 2019 with specific recommendations and a detailed and comprehensive Automated Vehicle Tactical Plan. 

2.  City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to explore opportunities to enhance partnerships with other levels of government including other municipalities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, province of Ontario, and across Canada to share strategies and develop best practices. 

3.  City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to explore opportunities to collaborate with Sidewalk Labs in the process to develop policy and infrastructure related to Automated Vehicles (AVs).

4.  City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to pursue formal membership in the Municipal Alliance for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles in Ontario (MACAVO), a committee organized by the Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA). 
 

5.  City Council request the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to include this issue in their upcoming Annual Conference and Trade Show, scheduled to be held May 31 to June 3, 2018.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:

1.  Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services to include support of initiatives that reduce congestion and increase vehicle throughput in the Automated Vehicle Tactical Plan 2019-2021, contained in Attachment 3 to the report (January 5, 2018) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

The General Manager, Transportation Services gave a presentation on Preparing the City of Toronto for Automated Vehicles.

Automated vehicles are now on Toronto's streets, in various forms and for a variety of purposes. Partially automated vehicles are providing assistance to drivers in the form of cruise control, automated braking, and other safety features included in newer vehicles. Highly automated vehicles - often referred to as driverless or autonomous cars - are being tested on public roads in Ontario, including Toronto, through a permit from the Ministry of Transportation. These more advanced vehicles have the potential to reshape our transportation system, impacting road safety, traffic congestion, mobility equity, and environmental health.

This report responds to a request from the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee to provide an overview of the steps taken to date, and actions proposed, to prepare the City of Toronto for the introduction of automated vehicles. This includes the following:

-  A brief technical overview of automated vehicles;

-  Information on early public opinion regarding automation;

-  An overview of how Transportation Services has been preparing for change; and

-  An overview of the potential implications for City divisions and agencies.

The report further outlines next steps proposed, including the following:

- The development of a cross-divisional policy position to ensure preparedness amongst all City services; and

-  The deepening of partnerships, including formal membership in the Municipal Alliance for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles in Ontario (MACAVO) and support for the University of Toronto's proposed iCity Centre for Automated and Transformative Transportation Systems.