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Encourage Intelligent Transportation Systems
A recommendation to:
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Recommendation #149
FCC Chapter: 12.14
Status: Started
Encourage Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Advanced communications systems also have the potential to help reduce the nation's tens of thousands of automobile fatalities each year.
For some ITS applications, such as vehicle-to-vehicle collision avoidance, dedicated shortrange communication (DSRC) technology may be required because it provides extremely low latency communication between vehicles. However, these applications require a critical mass of vehicles with the technology to deliver real benefits.
Practically speaking, this means the Department of Transportation would need to mandate the technology in new vehicles or otherwise encourage adoption, possibly by implementing a consumer information program through the New Car Assessment Program.
DOT has committed to making a decision on its approach by 2013.
The Department of Transportation should explore ways to leverage commercial wireless data networks and the Internet to achieve its goals.
Whatever the ultimate decision, the country need not wait for deployment of DSRC technology to begin aggressively developing and deploying smart transportation applications. In the 10 years since the FCC allocated spectrum for ITS applications, commercial wireless data networks have been built to cover much of the country's roadways. These networks and Internet-hosted applications are capable of delivering many of the efficiency, mobility and sustainability applications envisioned in ITS.
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June 24, 2010
DELIVERED VIA EMAIL TO victor.mendez@dot.gov
Mr. Victor M. Mendez
Administrator
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington D.C. 20590
RE: ADMINISTRATOR REQUEST PURSUANT TO TITLE 23 TO USE INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IDLE BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY TO ADVANCE THE PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN
The United States broadband network infrastructure lags behind other nations when measured on the speed of available broadband services from commercial providers. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, The National Broadband Plan, and a host of studies and reports are clear: America must invest in broadband infrastructure to sustain and improve its’ competitive position in global markets.
The National Broadband Plan makes several recommendations that build upon successful efforts undertaken by state and local governments with regard to these important assets. Specifically, the Plan recommends that the federal government improve the process for locating broadband facilities on federal buildings and property. The Plan also recommends that all federally-funded infrastructure projects, like the construction of bridges and roads, consider the opportunities to incorporate broadband build-out (such as laying conduit and fiber optic cables, use of wireless network infrastructure, and joint construction) as part of the project.
Since 1992 Congress has appropriated over $3.3 billion for research, development, and deployment of US DOT Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Of this amount, $1.5 billion has been appropriated for deployment, including construction of broadband infrastructure assets. While data is not readily available to determine the amount invested in broadband infrastructure, it is reasonable to assume that at least 80% or $1.2 billion of total deployment expenditures are associated with such infrastructure.
During 2009 an inventory of broadband network infrastructure in the State of Florida, including ITS assets, identified significant idle ITS fiber optic capacity on both limited access and local roadways that could reduce the cost and improve the timely availability of high speed broadband services at anchor government, education, public safety, library, and health care institutions; and facilitate the availability of cost effective broadband services in rural communities.
The attached paper provides specific recommendations intended to maximize efficient use of America’s broadband infrastructure to accelerate the pace and efficiency of achieving the objectives of the National Broadband Plan, US DOT’s Intelligent Transportation System Program, and emerging policies to establish a national public safety broadband communications network architecture.
Please consider this letter and attachment as a formal request for review and approval of the five recommendations proposed in the attached document titled “America’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Infrastructure – Hidden Asset to Accelerate the Availability of High Speed Broadband Services.”
Respectfully,
Dale M. Gregory
Executive Vice President
Cherrystone Management Consultants Inc.
102 NE 2nd Street #350
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
561-289-7540
dgregory@cmcisolutions.com