Verizon plans to launch off-the-shelf telematics

‘Bringing connectivity to every vehicle’ was the vision Lowell McAdam (pictured), chairman and CEO of Verizon Communications put before delegates at the second plenary session. He said by 2017 there will be three times more networked devices than people in the world and such connectivity could radically alter transportation. “GE estimates that connected technologies have the potential to reduce the global transportation industry’s demand for fuel by 14%.”
September 10, 2014 Read time: 2 mins

‘Bringing connectivity to every vehicle’ was the vision Lowell McAdam (pictured), chairman and CEO of 1984 Verizon Communications put before delegates at the second plenary session.

He said by 2017 there will be three times more networked devices than people in the world and such connectivity could radically alter transportation. “GE estimates that connected technologies have the potential to reduce the global transportation industry’s demand for fuel by 14%.”

However, he said today Americans waste $120bn a year sitting in traffic, 30% of a city’s congestion is caused by people looking to park and only 7% of America’s 250 million vehicles are connected to communications networks.
 
McAdam told delegates: “At Verizon, we think the technology exists… to connect the vast majority of these vehicles to a wide range of intelligent services. We are committed to delivering an off-the-shelf solution that will bring the benefits of telematics to everyone next year.”  While acknowledging the work already undertaken he said: “we need to move beyond individual projects to think in a holistic way about integrating all these smart systems – connected cars, roads, buildings, power grids and communications – into a comprehensive intelligent ecosystem.” 

In pointing out President Obama’s comments that the US is the world’s largest economy but ranks 28th in terms of infrastructure investment, he issued a rallying call. “We have some decisions to make about how to invest in our future… and we’ve learned that investing in last century’s infrastructure may be cheaper in the short run but it’s way more costly in the long run.
“We need to fight for spectrum policies and tax laws that promote capital investment in the communications technologies on which intelligent transportation systems depend,” he concluded.

www.verizon.com

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Innovative cycle management system encourages cycle use
    February 28, 2014
    BMS Bicycle Management System is the new way of cycle parking designed to provide a solution to many city councils to get their city centres neat and clean and encourage bicycle use. The system incorporates a mobile app that enables a cyclist to easily find a free bike parking place at their destination on a smartphone.
    Read More
  • ‘Free’ power for signs, shelters and so much more
    March 17, 2016
    David Crawford looks at the sunny side of the street. Solar power has been relatively slow in entering the transport sector, but a current blossoming of activity bodes well for the large-scale harnessing of an alternative energy that is zero-emission at source and, in practical terms, infinitely renewable. Traffic management and traveller information systems, and actual vehicles, are all emerging as areas for deployment. Meanwhile roads themselves are being viewed as new-style, fossil fuel-free ‘power stati
    Read More
  • Q-Free reinforces ITS capabilities, expertise at World Congress
    September 25, 2012
    Q-Free intends to use its appearance at the ITS World Congress to reflect a broader and more accurate reality of the company’s strength and capabilities. That’s not going to be difficult, if one considers the technological and geographical diversity of the company’s success since the beginning of this year alone. In March, Q-Free was awarded the contract for delivery of the congestion charging infrastructure for the Swedish city of Gothenburg which includes road side equipment, infrastructure and service an
    Read More
  • New full colour dynamic message sign from Daktronics
    April 22, 2013
    Dakronics is here at the ITS America Annual Meeting with an offer to help agencies ‘Sharpen the Image’ of their dynamic messages signs with the introduction of its new 20mm full-colour Vanguard product line.
    Read More

Highlighted Content