ITS America statement on FCC proposed spectrum sharing

In response to recent comments by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, and the ongoing study of spectrum sharing being undertaken by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) urged spectrum policymakers not to fast track a decision on opening the 5.9 GHz band to unlicensed users. A complete record and fair opportunity for all affected parties to participate in the process needs to be addressed, particularly since life-saving v
January 21, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
In response to recent comments by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, and the ongoing study of spectrum sharing being undertaken by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (560 ITS America) urged spectrum policymakers not to fast track a decision on opening the 5.9 GHz band to unlicensed users. A complete record and fair opportunity for all affected parties to participate in the process needs to be addressed, particularly since life-saving vehicle safety technologies are on the line.

Scott Belcher, president and CEO of ITS America said, “We understand and support the effort by the 2115 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to identify spectrum that may be utilised to ease the broadband shortage resulting from the proliferation of wireless services and devices,” Belcher said. “We recognise that sharing within the 5.9 GHz band should be explored. However, policymakers should be mindful not to fast track a decision without a complete record and fair opportunity for all affected parties to participate in the process, particularly when life-saving vehicle technologies are on the line.”

The 324 US Department of Transportation (DOT) estimates that a connected vehicle network, which relies on the 5.9 GHz band and is currently being tested with nearly 3,000 vehicles in Ann Arbor Michigan, could address at least 80 percent of all unimpaired vehicle crash scenarios, saving many thousands of lives each year.

ITS America, the 2094 Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the 4946 Association of Global Automakers, the 4944 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and other transportation and high-tech leaders sent a letter requesting that the NTIA involve the transportation community in the development of NTIA’s position regarding spectrum sharing within the 5.9 GHz band. The joint letter to the NTIA is online at http://db.tt/0ic046ha.

“As Chairman Genachowski acknowledged, the 5 GHz band is already used for other purposes by federal and non-federal users, requiring significant collaboration with other federal agencies in order to move forward. We look forward to working with the FCC, NTIA, USDOT and the stakeholder community to find solutions to the spectrum shortage while continuing to advance life-saving innovations,” Belcher said.
Location Based Systems Urban Traffic Control

Related Content

  • Investment and innovation the future of ITS
    January 31, 2012
    Cisco's Paul Brubaker, former administrator of the US Department of Transportation's (USDOT's) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), takes a look at how the ITS sector is starting to attract the attention of major corporations and what this will mean for intelligent transportation in the coming years
    Read More
  • Improved productivity and advanced technology benefits ITS
    December 13, 2012
    John Horsley will hang up his hat as executive director of AASHTO in February 2013. After 14 years at the helm, he will bow out convinced of the current and future benefits of ITS for US transportation. Alot of exciting career opportunities still await young engineers in US transportation, says John Horsley, outgoing executive director of AASHTO – the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials. Horsley will be dedicating more of his time to matters of ITS after he stands down in Februa
    Read More
  • ADN’s Bled SaaS option eases driver stress
    July 23, 2019
    ADN Mobile Solutions has developed a technology-plus-training tool for bus operators which it says will reduce driver stress, cut emissions and improve the bottom line Public transit is at the heart of future urban mobility. The focus here is, quite rightly, on improving the experience for riders – but there is someone else in the chain who might be overlooked, despite being vital to the success of any operation: the driver. Bus drivers, for example, have a difficult job, combating congestion and the
    Read More
  • Groups seek electronic collision alert devices on big trucks
    February 20, 2015
    The US Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Truck Safety Coalition, the Center for Auto Safety and Road Safe America have filed a petition with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requesting that the agency initiate rulemaking to require forward collision avoidance and mitigation braking (F-CAM) systems on all new large trucks and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or more. F-CAM technology uses radar and sensors to first alert the driver and then t
    Read More

Highlighted Content