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

  • Daktronics drives adoption of colour DMS in US
    September 7, 2014
    Daktronics is driving the adoption of full colour dynamic message signs (DMS) in the US. The company recommends colour signage, because drivers recognise colour graphics more quickly than text-only monochrome signs. The ultimate result is safer and more efficient roadways.
    Read More
  • Oregon tests new mileage-base charging scheme
    August 5, 2013
    Jack Opiola from D’Artagnan Consulting LLP explains Oregon’s latest moves which mandated a trial of mileage-based road use charging. In 1919, Oregon made the 20th century’s most significant contribution to transportation funding policy, becoming the first state in America to implement a gas tax to pay for roads. This summer Oregon’s Legislature passed, and Governor John Kitzhaber signed into law, Senate Bill 810 which requires a distance-based road usage charge for 5,000 volunteer vehicles by 1 July 2015. T
    Read More
  • President Obama says V2V and V2I technology will save lives
    July 16, 2014
    US president Barack Obama has highlighted his Administration’s support for intelligent transportation systems as a job creator and high-tech solution for reducing vehicle crashes and traffic gridlock. Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) members and staff joined President Obama at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, Virginia, where the President toured the research and testing facility and delivered remarks on the importance of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicl
    Read More
  • Accept no substitutes
    May 21, 2012
    Wavetronix, which claims market leadership in side-fire radar vehicle detection, is using its exhibit at this year’s ITS America to showcase the successful SmartSensor product line and to celebrate the phenomenal international growth the company has experienced in recent years. The exhibit prominently features an Elvis impersonator and encourages visitors to ‘accept no substitutes.’
    Read More

Highlighted Content