Transportation Innovation Program
Submit your mobility and transportation solutions!
Businesses can apply to test their innovations within the OVIN Demonstration Zone in Vaughan.
The City of Vaughan and the City of Markham, with funding from the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), are inviting businesses to apply to demonstrate their innovative mobility technology solutions within the newly launched OVIN Demonstration Zone.
Interested businesses are encouraged to apply at www.ovindz.ca.
What is the Transportation Innovation Program?
The Transportation Innovation Program is an initiative that will position the city as a testbed for smart mobility innovations. The Transportation Innovation Program is a transparent, streamlined and fair process established to partner with companies who wish to test their innovative and/or emerging transportation technologies that align with the City’s transportation and mobility objectives.
New technologies may include:
- shared mobility solutions.
- the integration of smart traffic signals and connected infrastructure.
- automated vehicles for passenger or delivery purposes.
- advancements in pavement materials or construction methods.
- expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- dynamic signage and wayfinding systems.
The Province on Ontario has awarded the City of Vaughan, in partnership with the City of Markham, with funding to launch an Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) Demonstration Zone. This funding will kick-start the program and refine the process to partner with innovators. For more information about the OVIN Demonstration Zone, please visit the OVIN Demonstration Zone site.
The program will launch in fall 2023 and will be jointly led by the City’s Infrastructure Planning and Corporate Asset Management and Economic Development departments. Other external agencies will be engaged throughout its implementation.
Get involved
More information about the program’s application process and eligibility will be shared on this webpage soon! Check back often for updates.
Sign up to receive the latest updates on the Transportation Innovation Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Answer
The program supports the vision of the Vaughan Transportation Plan as it identifies a need to proactively test next-generation transportation solutions – which is the main focus of the Transportation Innovation Program. The program also advances the MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy by offering companies access to City space and infrastructure to demonstrate their innovative solutions in a controlled, real-world environment.
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Answer
OVIN is a provincial initiative that builds upon the province’s:
- position as a leading automotive manufacturing and supply jurisdiction.
- influence as a significant information and communication technology hub.
- thriving ecosystem of innovation clusters operating around the province.
One of OVIN’s main objectives is to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) develop, test, validate and commercialize new automotive and mobility products and technologies, and cultivate the capacity of a province-wide network to drive future mobility solutions.
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Answer
In January 2023, OVIN sought applications to fund an Innovation Demonstration Zone with $2.5 million available over a two-year period. The City’s Infrastructure Planning and Corporate Asset Management department together with its Economic Development department submitted an application to OVIN using the Transportation Innovation Program’s framework established through the Vaughan Transportation Plan. OVIN saw many similarities between Vaughan and Markham’s submission to the program and requested the two cities become co-applicants and resubmit. In July 2023, OVIN announced that the joint application was successful in the application and were awarded $2.5 million to carry out the program.
Additional Resources
Contact
Winnie Lai
Transportation Project Manager
Infrastructure Planning & Corporate Asset Management
905-832-8585, ext. 8192