Latest news with #CanadianAutomobileAssociation
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
CAA Joins Growing Industry Coalition Advocating for Increased Use of Recycled Crushed Aggregates in Ontario Infrastructure Projects
TORONTO, Aug. 12, 2025 /CNW/ - The push for using recycled asphalt and concrete is gaining momentum as the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) joins nine other influential organizations representing civil infrastructure leaders, builders, suppliers, and engineers, united behind the goal of increasing the use of Recycled Crushed Aggregates (RCA) in public infrastructure projects across Ontario. With CAA on board, the coalition that launched earlier this year is advocating for policy changes that will incentivize and mandate the use of RCA in projects like roads, subdivisions, highways, bridges, and tunnels, and, above all, harmonize municipal specifications through provincial standards to build greener, more cost-effective, and high-performing public infrastructure that residents can rely on. "As the voice of Canadian motorists, CAA supports smarter infrastructure investments that improve road safety, durability, and reliability," said Lauren Fisher, Manager of Government and Stakeholder Relations for CAA South Central Ontario. "The use of recycled crushed aggregates is proven to deliver reliable performance, while cutting costs and carbon emissions. We're proud to join this important coalition and support a mandate that will benefit drivers, taxpayers, and the environment." "CAA's support underscores the fact that this isn't just a construction issue—it's a public interest issue. Using more recycled materials in infrastructure projects can safeguard the long-term expansion of our transportation networks while preserving non-renewable resources and reducing carbon emissions, waste, and traffic congestion," said Raly Chakarova, Executive Director of the Toronto Area Road Builders Association (TARBA). "Beyond an increased use of sustainable materials, standardizing construction specifications and contracts at the municipal level can go further to rein in rising construction costs, speed up project delivery, and ensure higher quality outcomes." RCA is produced by reclaiming and recycling concrete and asphalt that would otherwise end up in landfills. Since RCA is available at a fraction of the distance to new construction sites, the need for long-haul heavy truck transport is reduced, along with carbon emissions, project costs, traffic congestion, and wear and tear on roads. Despite being a proven and high-performing material already used in 400-series highways, Toronto Pearson Airport, and many road and transit projects across the province, RCA use in municipal projects is severely limited by some existing local policies. If Ontario municipalities mandate just 20% RCA use in their infrastructure projects, they can save more than $260 million annually and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 15 million gas cars from the road every year. The 10 coalition members include: To learn more about the campaign and the benefits of RCA, visit About CAA The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit auto club offering roadside services, automotive care, travel, and insurance. There are more than 2.6 million CAA members in Ontario and over 6 million members in Canada. For more than 100 years, CAA has advocated on behalf of its members at all three levels of government on issues related to transportation infrastructure, traffic safety, consumer protection, and mobility. Three clubs currently operate in Ontario - South Central Ontario, North & East Ontario, and Niagara. About TARBA The Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA) represents unionized contractors building multi-modal transportation infrastructure, including roads, transit, highways, bike lanes, and sidewalks, in the Greater Toronto Area and Simcoe County. TARBA advocates for policies and practices that promote safe, cost-efficient, and sustainable infrastructure development. SOURCE Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA)
Global News
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Global News
Close calls endangering pedestrians, cyclists at intersections, CAA says
Intersections can be dangerous — even deadly — for pedestrians and cyclists, warns a new national study from the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). CAA examined 20 intersections across Canada over a seven-month period, recording a whopping 600,000 near-misses, as well as one potentially fatal incident per intersection each day. CAA's Kristine D'Arbelle told Global Winnipeg the study's results can help to design a future framework to prevent injuries and deaths on the roads. 'In finding those pain points and … issues in intersections, we were also able to identify some key design features that could reduce risk of near misses,' D'Arbelle said. 'In these intersections, when we saw a separate right-turn lane, there were fewer conflicts between a pedestrian/cyclist and a vehicle.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Vehicle making right turns accounted for more than half of near-misses with pedestrians and cyclists, the study found. Story continues below advertisement D'Arbelle said there are things drivers can do to help keep intersections safe. 'We know right turns are where most of those conflicts happen. Vehicles, when you're about to do a right turn, slow down, check that blind spot, and make sure there's no cyclists or pedestrians in that blind spot.' To try and boost safety at intersections, Winnipeg has implemented leading pedestrian intervals at some downtown crosswalks — giving pedestrians a brief head start with the walk signal before cars get the green light. CAA said the data was collected at different types of intersections in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C., Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. The organization partnered with traffic-monitoring company Miovision to detect near misses and assess risk levels with the help of AI-powered video analytics.
Global News
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Global News
Hamilton home to Ontario's worst road yet again. Here are the others
Ontarians had their chance to vote for their most hated roads in the province through the Canadian Automobile Association's (CAA) annual Worst Roads campaign, and the results are in. For a second year in a row, Aberdeen Avenue in Hamilton has been named the worst road in Ontario, among the 2,400 roads that were nominated for the campaign. Following closely in second and third place were Barton Street East, also in Hamilton, and County Road 49 in Prince Edward County. The campaign gives drivers a chance to call out the roads they believe are in the worst shape, from potholes and cracked pavement to congestion and constant lane closures. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Timely repairs, better communication, quick fixes, pothole funds, and using recycled aggregates are just some solutions to fix unsafe roads,' said Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president of government and community relations for CAA South Central Ontario. Story continues below advertisement 'Our research shows that 85 per cent of Ontarians are concerned about the state of our roads. … This campaign gives people a voice and helps push for real improvements.' Other roads on this year's list include the Gardiner Expressway and Sheppard Avenue West in Toronto, as well as Hurontario Street in Mississauga. According to a CAA survey, nearly half of drivers in Ontario say poor road conditions have damaged their vehicles. Around 81 per cent paid out of pocket for repairs, which averaged $933, up more than $80 from last year. 'With the increasing cost of living, many people hold on to their cars for longer when damaged, the last thing they need is expensive repair bills on an already stretched household budget,' Di Felice said. The survey recorded cracked pavement as the top complaint, followed closely by potholes and traffic congestion. More than 60 per cent of respondents also agreed that not enough is currently being done to maintain the roads in their area. However, CAA said at least 10 roads have been repaired in the past four years as a result of being named. 'We know that the campaign works and that decision-makers are listening,' added De Felice.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New study challenges common myth about electric cars: 'These insights are critical'
Ever believe something you heard without checking if it's true? It's OK — we've all been there. For example, take electric vehicles. You may have heard claims that they stop working in cold weather or any number of other EV myths. While the battery performance of EVs does dip a bit in the cold, by no means do they break or stop working. That belief has prevailed for some time, but it's been disproven by the Canadian Automobile Association, according to CleanTechnica. As the group found in a series of sub-zero temperature tests, no EVs were rendered unusable. The best performers — including the Silverado EV and the Polestar 2 — only lost 14% of their range, while the most impacted lost 39%. Yet many vehicles could quickly regain significant range with just 15 minutes of charging, the report explained. So, it is true that the cold is a factor for EV drivers. But the actual impact varies from car to car, and overall, it's not as bleak as many believe. The CAA suggests Canadian automakers share winter range estimates on top of year-round averages so that drivers can make the most informed decisions, CleanTechnica reported. Plus, the association recommends some simple ways to lower EV exposure in the cold: clear snow and ice while charging, use heated seats instead of vents, and park indoors if possible, per CleanTechnica. All told, an EV can still be a smart choice even in winter climates like Canada. Slight range discrepancies pale in comparison to being free from planet-heating gasoline bills. Meanwhile, maintaining internal combustion engine cars, which also struggle in the cold, can get expensive. As for the environmental costs of EV manufacturing, there's more good news. When compared to a gas-burning Toyota Corolla, a Tesla Model 3 only needs 13,500 miles under its belt before breaking even on those impacts, according to a Reuters report. Plus, EV battery technologies are being refined all the time, which means it's getting easier and easier to save money — and further warming of the planet — with your choice of car. "CAA is responding to a top concern of Canadians when it comes to EVs," said Ian Jack, vice president for public affairs at CAA National, per the outlet. "These insights are critical for both current EV owners and those considering making the switch." If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "In Saskatchewan this last week temperatures have been -30's C with windchill -40s," one commenter wrote. "Range loss is significant but no performance issues for 2024 [Chevrolet Blazer EV]." "For local driving, range loss [is] not a problem," another added. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
