Port of Montreal implements new app to cut greenhouse gas emissions

The Canadian port launched a new Trucking PORTal web-based application to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by optimizing truck routes to and from the port’s container terminals.    The Montreal Port Authority said it has implemented a project that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by optimizing truck routes to and from terminals located on its property with the aid of a new application for mobile phones.
   The new Trucking PORTal Web-based application will be used to reduce wait times at port container terminals.
   “A data capture system makes it possible to measure truck trips from entering to leaving the port, and to relay this information in real time to drivers and dispatchers. To achieve this, we rely on a combination of Bluetooth and RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technologies and license plate readers,” the port authority said.
   “Specifically, truck trips are captured at several points on port territory, tracking their movement. This results in a comprehensive view of the traffic, bottlenecks and wait times at the various terminals. This information is sent to drivers in real time by means of a mobile application that they download on their mobile device or directly on their computer.
   “They use this information to plan their route to get to the port and, while on port territory, optimize the time it takes them to deliver or pick up cargo.”
   The Montreal Port Authority said the result will be shortened wait times and time frames that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in addition to reducing traffic congestion and increasing the flow of truck transport service.
   The Canadian port is among one of the first ports in the world to provide its road transport partners an advanced real-time information system on truck traffic on its territory, Montreal Port Authority President and CEO Sylvie Vachon said.
   Transport Canada contributed  $1.375 million to the project.