Coming in Spring 2009
What is the Green Light Transportation System (GLTS)?
 GLTS is an intelligent network of commercial vehicle inspection stations across the province (Highways 1 and 5) allowing commercial vehicles that have been initially checked to be given an automatic bypass at all subsequent Inspection Stations for the next 12 hours.
GLTS uses a combination of Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) and Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) technologies to identify, measure, check carrier and vehicle credentials and then signal approaching vehicles by means of a small transponder mounted in the front of the vehicle cab. Drivers will receive a green light to bypass the scale or a red light requiring them to report to the scale
The transponders are the same technology that is used in almost all North American jurisdictions. So if you already have one, you can also use it in conjunction with GLTS as soon as you become a registered user!
The numerous benefits for carriers that can reduce inspection station stops include reducing transit times, lowering fuel consumption costs and less wear and tear on your vehicles.
Our objectives
 The GLTS builds on the existing Weigh-in-Motion technology at the Port Mann Eastbound inspection station and the Golden (bi-directional) inspection station. The corridor will include five AVI (Automated Vehicle Identification) sites at Port Mann Westbound, Laidlaw, Hunter Creek, and Kamloops East and Westbound.
AVI provides CVSE with a very effective solution that avoids the need to acquire much more expensive Weigh-in-Motion equipment. CVSE will still have the ability to inspect a vehicle once (either manually or automatically) and, provided it is in full compliance with BC regulations, allow that vehicle to travel freely within the system for up to 12 hours. The project will also include a data exchange with Alberta to allow members of the Alberta Partners in Compliance (PIC) program to benefit from GLTS.
When construction is complete, the new Inspection Station at Prince George (Red Rock) will be added to the system. Other locations being considered for future expansion of the corridor include Tete Jaune Cache and Nordel.
How does it work?
Participation in GLTS is voluntary. Any carrier wanting to join can register in the system and equip each of its vehicles with a transponder (which is also registered).
When a vehicle carrying a registered transponder passes a GLTS enabled station, the system will check compliance with BC regulations, key credentials (such as insurance, current inspections, etc), physical dimensions and vehicle history to determine if it can bypass the station. This will occur while the vehicle travels at highway speeds.
Based on the check outcome the vehicle will be transmitted either a red or green light. A red light requires that the vehicle report to the inspection station and a green light permits the vehicle to bypass the station and continue its journey.
 Vehicles that pass the automated checks receive a “good to go” status that allows them to by-pass GLTS stations for up to 12 hours.
All registered vehicles are also subject to a Random Report Percentage (RRP) that may require them to report to the inspection station regardless of the outcome of the weights and credential check.
The results of automated checks and the RRP will be communicated to all stations within the network so that the vehicle will likely be ‘green-lighted’ when it arrives at another of the GLTS stations.
What Are the Advantages?
 For industry, the system will provide savings in overall transit time, fuel use and a reduction in Green House Gas emissions while waiting at inspection stations.
For the Ministry, it reduces the number of vehicles that are required to report to the inspection station. This will create some additional traffic capacity to meet the significant growth in commercial traffic as Vancouver’s role as the Pacific Gateway gathers momentum.
It also allows the Ministry’s inspection station officers to spend more time focusing on higher risk carriers.
The table below illustrates the projected savings over a 10 year period. It is based on assumptions about traffic volumes and predicted growth rates, as well as industry participation in the program. Assumptions about the savings, per encounter, have also been derived from statistics published in a 2003 Transport Canada report.
Transport Canada has been very supportive and has been involved throughout the project.
Potential 10 Year Benefits
| |
Years 1-5 |
Year 6-10 |
10-year total |
| Driver time savings |
127,000 hrs |
260,000 hrs |
387,000 hrs |
| Fuel savings |
780,000 litres |
1,615,000 litres |
2,395,000 litres |
| Greenhouse Gas reductions |
2,135,000 kgs |
4,35,000 kgs |
6,510,000 kgs |
What is the timetable?
The in-road equipment has already been installed for more than 3 years at Port Mann East and has proven very stable and accurate.
Installing the roadside technology at the other stations is already 50% complete and the necessary administration software has completed design and is now being built. Once the system has been built and tested, a pilot period will be run first with a limited number of carriers to ensure the system is working as expected.
This limited carrier pilot program is anticipated to start in the spring of 2009. Full implementation of the Green Light Transportation System is anticipated in summer 2009.
Contacts
If you would like further information about the project, please feel free to contact any of the following project team members:
Pamela McDermid, Business Manager Pamela.McDermid@gov.bc.ca
David Gaffney, Mgr, Business Analysis David.Gaffney@gov.bc.ca
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