Item - 2020.EP11.24

The Board of Governors of Exhibition Place:

1.  Directed staff to continue working with City Transportation staff on the development of a Transportation Flagship Innovation Zone partnership at Exhibition Place.

2.  Directed the Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition Place to provide a progress update on this initiative in the first quarter 2021.

Toronto City Council at its October 2019 meeting adopted the Automated Vehicles Tactical Plan and Readiness 2022 report as the framework for guiding future policy decisions related to automated vehicles in Toronto. A key recommendation within the report directed Transportation Services staff to develop and implement a Transportation Innovation Zone program. This program includes a criteria based selection process to identify technologies, geographical space for demonstration zones, and any necessary regulations to facilitate testing of new transportation approaches and technologies in the public realm. Used around the world, innovation zones (also referred to as “testbeds,” “sandboxes,” or “living labs”) are one way for municipal governments and their partners to stay informed on emerging innovations while supporting local economic development.

As part of the current Master Plan development process, Exhibition Place, its tenants and stakeholders have expressed interest in using the grounds to support innovation while seeking new solutions to its transportation challenges. The Master Plan will call for the establishment of a Transportation Innovation Zone ("TIZ") at Exhibition Place.

Toronto City Council at its October 2019 meeting adopted the Automated Vehicles Tactical Plan and Readiness 2022 report as the framework for guiding future policy decisions related to automated vehicles in Toronto. A key recommendation within the report directed Transportation Services staff to develop and implement a Transportation Innovation Zone program. This program includes a criteria based selection process to identify technologies, geographical space for demonstration zones, and any necessary regulations to facilitate testing of new transportation approaches and technologies in the public realm. Used around the world, innovation zones (also referred to as “testbeds,” “sandboxes,” or “living labs”) are one way for municipal governments and their partners to stay informed on emerging innovations while supporting local economic development.

As part of the current Master Plan development process, Exhibition Place, its tenants and stakeholders have expressed interest in using the grounds to support innovation while seeking new solutions to its transportation challenges. The Master Plan will call for the establishment of a Transportation Innovation Zone ("TIZ") at Exhibition Place.