A Systems Approach for Provincial Transportation Systems

That transportation systems are intrinsically linked to economic development is a self-evident truth. However, there is a growing trend in the transportation planning literature, and in the developed plans of both national and provincial organizations, to consider best-practice for this discipline in terms of multimodal transportation planning.

A cost-effective and efficient transportation network in Alberta requires a systematic planning approach collaboratively directed by a provincial body. Specifically, it requires all key public and private sector organizations in the province to work together in coordinating a holistic transportation system where long-term development objectives that provide an equitable, cost-effective, and reliable means of moving people and goods are examined.

Transportation has long been recognized as playing a critical role in the overall prosperity of a society. It is one of the systems that virtually all Albertans utilize and depend on daily. In a very competitive and integrated world economy, most businesses require access to efficient and cost-effective transportation services to export their merchandise to the market or to access imported goods.

More than 2,000 Alberta businesses export goods and services around the world, which means most of Alberta’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is dependent on international trade in one fashion or another. Thus, remaining competitive in international markets is essential for maintaining and enhancing the standard of living in Alberta, particularly as our province attempts to diversify our economic base and move away from our long dependence on crude oil exports.