Government report praises potential environmental gains from speed limiters

OTTAWA, Ont. — The Government of Canada has released a report showing positive environmental gains from capping the speed of large commercial trucks at 105 km/h.

The report reveals that speed limiters on large trucks could result in 228.6 million litres of diesel fuel saved, representing 1.4% of the total on-road diesel consumed in 2006. Annual greenhouse gas savings related to this proposal are estimated at 0.64 megatonnes. Ontario and Quebec would account for 64% of these estimated national savings.

“The Government of Canada supports the use of speed limiters on large commercial trucks because they help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy,” said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “This government is committed to ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment for all Canadians. That principle is the cornerstone behind our Turning the Corner action plan to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution.”

In April, Minister Cannon welcomed the Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety in Gatineau, Quebec, where it was agreed that each province/territory would be responsible for implementing speed limiter legislation. Ontario recently passed legislation requiring large commercial trucks operating in the province to be equipped with an electronic speed limiter capped at 105 km/h. Quebec had previously passed speed limiter legislation for large commercial trucks.

“We need a national approach if we are to reach our greenhouse gas reduction targets. I congratulate Ontario and Quebec on being the first provinces to mandate speed limiters and encourage other provinces and territories to do the same,” added Minister Cannon.

In 2005, the Canadian Trucking Alliance called on governments to mandate the activation of speed limiters on all heavy trucks travelling in Canada at no more than 105 km/h. Transport Canada, with the assistance of a steering committee representing British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick, commissioned a number of studies to review the implications of a national speed limiter requirement from a safety, environmental, economic and operational perspective.