BY Andrew Baulcomb, DeGroote School of Business
Senior government and academic officials gathered Thursday at Brampton's Embassy Grand Convention Centre for the launch of the Smart Freight Centre.
The centre will be a one-stop shop for addressing some of the most pressing transportation and logistics issues facing Canada's busiest commercial and residential hub. For example: How do municipalities deal with increased traffic as online shopping necessitates more delivery vehicles?
McMaster will work with partners the Region of Peel, University of Toronto and York University for five years to improve the quality of life and ongoing economic vibrancy in the Region of Peel and Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
Evidence-based research will be at the forefront of the centre's efforts, as it strives to help co-ordinate transportation infrastructure, land development, regulations, technology tools and resources.
It's no small task. Trucking activity alone accounts for approximately $1.8 billion worth of goods moving daily to, from, and through the Region of Peel, with its population of more than 1.3 million.
"Traditional business models continue to be disrupted. At the DeGroote School of Business, we see disruption as an opportunity to better prepare our students for the future of work," said Dean Len Waverman, who spoke at Thursday's event.
"As we examine the future of business education, we will continue to seek out opportunities that improve the overall health and prosperity of Canadians," Waverman said. "The Smart Freight Centre represents one such opportunity. We're pleased to support our partners as we work toward safer and more efficient goods movement across our communities."
