Research and Innovation background
- Federal Sustainable Development Strategy: Sets binding federal goals on GHG reduction, zero‑emission vehicles, clean fuels, and modal efficiency for the period 2022-2026, providing the environmental framework for transport R&I priorities.
- Transport Canada Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy: Covering the period 2023-2027, operationalises the FSDS for the transport sector, explicitly referencing applied research, testing, and pilot programmes in clean transport, digitalisation, and safety.
- Transportation 2030 – Strategic Plan for the Future of Transportation in Canada: The federal transport vision guiding R&I on decarbonisation, trade corridors, data and digitalisation, and innovation‑friendly regulation; still active and periodically updated through programmes rather than replaced.
- Canada’s Safety Framework for Connected and Automated Vehicles 2.0: Updated in 2025, a national framework guiding research, pilots, and regulatory innovation for automated driving, vehicle cyber‑security, human factors, and cooperative systems.
- Rail Innovation Strategy: Sector‑specific strategy focusing on zero‑emission rail propulsion, hydrogen infrastructure, smart rail systems, and cyber‑secure rail operations.
- Zero‑Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Programme: Federal research‑supported deployment programmes accelerating zero‑emission buses, charging systems, and fleet optimisation tools, strongly linked to applied R&I.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Institutional framework of transport research
- Transport Canada (TC): Lead federal body for transport R&I policy, regulatory sandboxes, funding programmes, and applied research in safety, decarbonisation, digitalisation, and automation.
- National Research Council Canada – Automotive & Surface Transportation Research Centre: Conducts applied research, testing, and technology validation for low‑emission vehicles, smart mobility, and resilient transport systems.
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: Core funder of academic transport research, including collaborative and industry‑linked applied projects.
- Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium: National industry‑led R&I consortium specialising in zero‑emission and autonomous public transport, rail innovation, hydrogen mobility, and smart infrastructure pilots.
- University of Toronto Transportation Research Institute: Multidisciplinary research hub covering electric mobility, transit planning, freight analytics, and transport digitalisation.
- McMaster Institute for Transportation & Logistics: Applied research centre focusing on freight logistics, AI‑enabled mobility, zero‑emission medium‑ and heavy‑duty vehicles, and supply‑chain resilience.
- Transport Institute, University of Manitoba: Long‑standing research centre on freight transport, logistics, northern and remote mobility, and airship‑based freight concepts.
- Transportation Policy Innovation Centre (Carleton University): Policy‑focused transport research unit supporting evidence‑based innovation in trade, logistics, and multimodal transport systems.
- ITS Canada: National platform supporting R&I on intelligent transport systems, digital infrastructure, CAVs, and smart mobility; maintains strong links with government pilots.
- Canadian Transportation Research Forum: National research network disseminating transport research across passenger and freight sectors.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
- Rail Safety Improvement Program – Technology and Research Stream: Funds applied research, testing, and innovation projects improving railway safety, including digital and automation‑related solutions.
- Clean Transportation System – Research & Development Program: Supports R&D and demonstrations in marine, rail, aviation, and surface transport focused on emissions reduction and clean technologies.
- Green Municipal Fund: Supports municipal‑level applied transport projects, including active mobility, electric transit, and low‑carbon urban logistics pilots.
- NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program: Provides non‑repayable contributions and technical support to SMEs developing transport technologies and innovations.
- Trade Corridors and Diversification Initiatives: Support innovation‑enabled freight, port, rail, and intermodal projects with strong applied research components.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)