QEW Innovation Corridor – Partnerships Stream

The QEW Innovation Corridor Program is a smart corridor on a 40 km section of the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) between Burlington and Toronto. The corridor serves as a testbed for piloting or testing new advanced mobility technologies or solutions, with a focus on smart mobility and connected vehicles applications.

The corridor is enabled for testing through a range of technologies and solutions from across the smart mobility industry. To further this objective, the QEW IC Program is seeking partnerships with industry leaders through one of three partnership models:

Enabling infrastructure

• Used to support MTO and Participants by providing additional data, hardware, software, infrastructure, or services that may be used by the Participants,[1] MTO or Owner’s Engineer,[2]
• Used for benchmarking, algorithm tuning or to fill in data gaps in COMPASS data.
• Enabling Infrastructure also includes software or hardware necessary to create a CV2X network.
• Delivering and installing proven technology to support benchmarking and ground truthing of new technologies by Participants.
• Other ideas discussed and agreed to add value to the program.

Examples of technologies requested:

• Providing a V2X management system to enable RSU operation and CV applications.
• Providing enabling communications networks for virtual or direct C-V2X technologies.
• Providing a Security Credential Management System to support the exchange of direct communication between an On-board Unit (OBU) and a Roadside Unit (RSU).  Note that MTO is providing a network of RSUs along the corridor.

Supporting services

• Used to support Participants by providing installation, configuration or testing services.
• Other ideas discussed and agreed to add value to the program.

Examples of technologies requested:

• Providing field deployment and installation services to support Participants who are not familiar with MTO standards and requirements.

Partnership pilot

• Solutions that meet a Challenge Statement provided by MTO that haven’t been deployed on MTO corridors previously.
• Other ideas discussed and agreed to add value to the program.

Examples of technologies requested:

• Commercially available AI-enabled queue detection equipment.

[1] Participant refers to selected companies participating in the QEW Innovation Corridor program, and are:

• Small or medium-sized enterprise with fewer than 500 global full-time employees.
• Maintain not less than fifty percent (50%) of its operations in Ontario.
• Proposed technology is at between TRL 7 and 9.

[2] WSP is the designated Owner’s Engineers for the QEW Innovation Corridor Program.

The Program was established with the vision of creating a freeway-based smart mobility test corridor that facilitates collaborative innovation and strategic partnerships, to support the safe evaluation of advanced technologies that improve mobility, strengthen sustainability, and drive economic development.

Benefits to partners:

• Deployment of innovative technologies and solutions in Ontario.
• Access strategic partnership opportunities with Ontario-made technologies.

Benefits to society:

• Support economic development in Ontario
• Position Ontario as a healthy, prosperous, and connected province that continues to lead in national and global innovation rankings

The Program invites eligible applicants to participate in this Program as a Partner as defined below:

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Any of the following:
  • Applicants must be a large enterprise with more than 500 global full-time employees.
  • The technology being proposed for consideration must be at a TRL 9[3] or above.

Requirements

The following criteria will be considered when accepting applications for the Partnerships Stream.

Delivery requirements

Selected companies will act as a strategic Partner to the MTO in supporting and enhancing the QEW Innovation Corridor. The success and long-term continuity of this initiative are highly dependent on a strong, collaborative Partnership between the selected companies and MTO through OVIN.

Selected companies will be expected to install and demonstrate proposed products independently as per their approved proposal.

The Partners will be responsible for the following, where applicable:

• Deployment and demonstration of proposed solutions.
• Removal and decommissioning of all connected infrastructure after fulfilling proposed objectives or when directed by MTO.
• Development and delivery of necessary documentation to support design, installation and testing.
• Ongoing technical support to MTO.
• Knowledge transfer and training.
• Technical reporting.
• Ongoing maintenance and updates when necessary.
• Collaboration through regular touch points with relevant stakeholders.

In addition to the above-stated responsibilities, the following key requirements are highlighted below:

• Maintain QEW operations: The QEW operation, including the COMPASS operation, is critical to the movement of people and goods in Ontario. The QEW IC testing and piloting shall not negatively affect operations.
• Encroachment permit: Partners shall follow the highway corridor management process for Permits and Approvals for any installation within the QEW corridor.   Permit access information can be found at: https://www.hcms.mto.gov.on.ca/PermitWizard. If the Partner is not registered under MTO’s Registry, Appraisal and Qualification System (RAQS) under the Traffic Impact Analysis Specialty category and installation is required along the corridor that will impact traffic, then MTO will support the Partner by providing the services of a qualified transportation consultant experienced in the preparation of a Traffic Impact Study (TIS). The TIS shall be signed and stamped by a professional engineer registered in the Province of Ontario, who shall take responsibility for the TIS contents, as required.
• Pre-consultation meeting: Partners shall engage in a pre-consultation meeting with MTO to prepare a document package that meets the requirements of the corridor management process.
• Design: If design drawings are required for installation on existing MTO infrastructures, and the Partner is not RAQS qualified in the category of “ATMS Product, Process and Strategic Development,” and “Electronic Subsystem Design Construction Contract Administration and Specialized Inspection Services,” MTO will provide Partners with MTO’s Owner’s Engineer design services.
• Installation: Partners shall utilize a licensed electrical contractor according to the Electricity Act who is a Rated Contractor – Electrical with MTO’s RAQS.  Installation will be done following the RSS process to access the highway. Partners may request support from other Partners that meet these requirements.

• Maintenance impact: Partners shall contact MTO maintenance teams to notify them of any new installations that may impact maintenance activities.
• Operational impact (traffic): Partners shall deliver a pilot design, installation, testing and removal that do not adversely impact the operation of the affected section of the IC; this includes any negative impact on traffic flow (e.g. congestion) or on-road operations.
• Safety impact: Partners shall demonstrate that the pilot will not adversely impact motorists’ safety.

[3] Refer to Technology readiness levels

1. To initiate the process, please reach out to the Program’s Regional Innovation Lead, Fredrik Andersson at fandersson@oc-innovation.ca. The first step will be a one-on-one discussion to understand whether the suggested technology is a fit for the Program.
2. Companies will be required to complete a vetting form to formally express interest in the QEW Program. The vetting form will be reviewed by MTO and WSP. Companies may be requested to discuss proposed technology with OVIN, WSP, and MTO.
3. After initial discussions, companies will be invited to complete a full proposal to apply to the Partnerships Stream which will be formally evaluated by the QEW IC Steering Committee.
4. Decisions of the QEW IC Steering Committee on establishing partnerships will be shared with companies who have applied to this stream.

Assessment criteria

Value to MTO

Demonstrates that the solution/service meets a clear current or future MTO need.

Expertise and Experience

• Showcases relevant experience delivering the proposed solution for municipal or other clients, either in past or current engagements.
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of provincial processes and a proven track record of participation in provincial bidding processes.
• Demonstrates the ability to independently execute the activities outlined in the proposal.
• Demonstrates understanding of the Program context and the ability to measure the impact of the proposed solution.

Proposed methodology

• The proposed approach and methodology are clear, detailed, and feasible. The proposal outlines the anticipated impact of the proposed solution on the QEW IC traffic management capabilities and includes a deployment plan that adheres to applicable provincial protocols.

Structure of proposal and ability to meet timelines

• The proposal is clear, well-structured, and easy to follow. 
• The team demonstrates a high ability to organize and manage the partnership. 
• The proposal demonstrates a strong understanding of the urgency of this work, and commits to the Program’s timelines, and overall terms and conditions. 

Cost effectiveness

• The proposal provides the nature or breakdown of costs to be incurred under the partnership.
• The proposal provides justification of budget line items.