At the Oshawa Committee of Adjustments meeting last night, the application by General Motors to permit an autonomous vehicle and advanced technology test track as an additional permitted use on their property at 700-1200 Park Road S. and 855-1255 Stevenson Rd. S. was approved!
The GM representative stated the test track was not for high speed racing, and that testing would involve a couple vehicles at a time at low speeds.
One Oshawa resident. Gregory Milosh, who came forward with questions, (as anyone attending the meeting was invited to do) asked what are the expected construction start and completion times and the size of the track.
Timeline: subject to getting the various required provincial and municipal approvals they hope to start construction this fall and have the track up and running early next year.
The site is on a 55 acre parcel, fronting on 3 roads: Stevenson Rd S. and Park Rd S. and Phillip Murray Ave .
The track will be 1.6 km.
There is a 20 day appeal period for CofA decisions and if no one submits an appeal to LPAT (which requires submitting a $300 fee) then it proceeds quickly, although the GM rep did say there are conditions they will have to meet that have to do with noise attenuation reports and Conservation Authority requirements.
The GM representative stated the test track was not for high speed racing, and that testing would involve a couple vehicles at a time at low speeds.
One Oshawa resident. Gregory Milosh, who came forward with questions, (as anyone attending the meeting was invited to do) asked what are the expected construction start and completion times and the size of the track.
Timeline: subject to getting the various required provincial and municipal approvals they hope to start construction this fall and have the track up and running early next year.
The site is on a 55 acre parcel, fronting on 3 roads: Stevenson Rd S. and Park Rd S. and Phillip Murray Ave .
The track will be 1.6 km.
There is a 20 day appeal period for CofA decisions and if no one submits an appeal to LPAT (which requires submitting a $300 fee) then it proceeds quickly, although the GM rep did say there are conditions they will have to meet that have to do with noise attenuation reports and Conservation Authority requirements.
Below are some answers to additional questions about the track I received today:
Does General Motors have any other similar or identical test tracks and where are they located? GM has several test tracks worldwide including a test track in Milford Michigan and a track at our cold weather testing facility in Kapuskasing.
Will the public be able to come and watch the tests being performed?
No, these tests will be for vehicles or technologies under development and therefore not open to the public. I did pass along your suggestion of a community event sometime after the track opens to showcase the facility. However it should be noted that if this type of event proceeds, it would not include vehicles or technologies under development.
Will the university and/or college be significantly involved and in what capacity?
The test track is first and foremost to support GM’s research and development activities but depending on demand GM may consider permitting other users access to the test track including Universities/Colleges.
How many people will be employed specifically for the test track?
The test track will only employ a modest number of employees directly but indirectly the test track is supporting the research and innovation occurring at our technical centres in Oshawa and Markham. The current employment levels at these facilities is approximately 750 employees with a target to grow to 1000 employees.
How big a financial capital investment is this and will Durham region industry benefit?
GM has not disclosed the specific costs of the test track but the test track was part of the announcement GM made earlier this year which indicated that the total investment in Oshawa to support the transition of the Oshawa facility from automotive manufacturing to stamping, related sub-assembly and miscellaneous activities including the test track will total C$170 million.
Does General Motors have any other similar or identical test tracks and where are they located? GM has several test tracks worldwide including a test track in Milford Michigan and a track at our cold weather testing facility in Kapuskasing.
Will the public be able to come and watch the tests being performed?
No, these tests will be for vehicles or technologies under development and therefore not open to the public. I did pass along your suggestion of a community event sometime after the track opens to showcase the facility. However it should be noted that if this type of event proceeds, it would not include vehicles or technologies under development.
Will the university and/or college be significantly involved and in what capacity?
The test track is first and foremost to support GM’s research and development activities but depending on demand GM may consider permitting other users access to the test track including Universities/Colleges.
How many people will be employed specifically for the test track?
The test track will only employ a modest number of employees directly but indirectly the test track is supporting the research and innovation occurring at our technical centres in Oshawa and Markham. The current employment levels at these facilities is approximately 750 employees with a target to grow to 1000 employees.
How big a financial capital investment is this and will Durham region industry benefit?
GM has not disclosed the specific costs of the test track but the test track was part of the announcement GM made earlier this year which indicated that the total investment in Oshawa to support the transition of the Oshawa facility from automotive manufacturing to stamping, related sub-assembly and miscellaneous activities including the test track will total C$170 million.