FCC Approves Next Generation Transportation Technologies
March 11, 2004
George Wheeler - Washington
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently granted initial regulatory approval for a new generation of high-tech transportation technologies that will fundamentally alter the way Americans travel and commute. The FCC rulemaking, which gives the transportation industry preliminary approval to begin using cutting-edge communications systems, furthers a national initiative to incorporate technology and advanced electronics into the nation's surface transportation infrastructure. These new communications technologies will improve traveler safety, decrease traffic congestion, facilitate the reduction of air pollution and conserve vital fossil fuels.
Under the FCC's new rules, passenger, commercial and emergency vehicles can be equipped with ground-breaking, automated communications technology to promote safe and efficient travel. The new communications technologies, referred to by regulators as Intelligent Transportation Systems or more specifically Dedicated Short Range Communications Services (DSRCS), are expected to reduce traffic jams and improve safety by providing timely traffic and hazards information to both drivers and transportation authorities. Among other things, drivers will benefit from advanced,
"real-time" warnings of dangerous road and weather conditions, construction activities and the approach of trains to highway rail crossings. Drivers will reach their destination more quickly as transportation authorities use the same real-time data to alleviate congestion, conduct automated vehicle inspections and swiftly dispatch emergency first-responders to accident scenes.
The FCC's recent rulemaking, however, is only the first step in developing the federal regulations which will determine how these technologies may be used. Much work still needs to be done to fully implement these advanced technologies, including additional FCC rulemaking proceedings. Regulators hope the FCC's initial DSRCS regulations will foster the implementation of an efficient, standardized transportation communications network; but in order for the system to be valuable, the final regulatory framework has to make economic, technical and operational sense. That is why GM, Nissan, and Daimler-Chrysler actively participated in developing the system's preliminary standards. Additional private sector involvement is critical to ensuring that the FCC's final regulatory framework creates incentives for investment. A sound regulatory environment could provide an enormous opportunity for automobile manufactures, so interested parties should be actively involved as the FCC addresses the remaining regulatory issues surrounding these technologies.
For more information, e-mail George Wheeler at
george.wheeler@hklaw.com or call toll free, 1-888-688-8500.