Accessible Transportation Technology Transfer Program: One Year Later

The results of the $3 million (dollar figures in Canadian funds) Technology Transfer Program on accessible transportation that was managed by the Transportation Development Centre of Transport Canada are described in this paper. The period is from 1991 to 1996. This program was part of the National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities. A description of Canadians with transportation disabilities, followed by an outline of the Technology Transfer Program’s framework, management, and project results, is presented, along with the highlights of several projects. The analysis sheds light on the benefits and risks inherent in the technology transfer process between governments, technology developers, and transportation service providers. Six aspects of the Technology Transfer Program are discussed: the selection process; the selection committee; the contribution agreement and the payback clause; liability and insurance; government standards; and government regulations. The authors conclude that, because the target population is both small and diverse, market response to similar accessible technology transfer products could be accelerated by the introduction and the enforcement of regulatory measures to reinforce accessible transportation policies.