Technologies Involved

The Next Generation (NG 9-1-1) Initiative addresses upgrades to the Nation's 9-1-1 system to handle new wireless and networked technologies. This relates to the development and deployment of the many ITS-related technologies, such as:

• Telecommunications equipment and service providers;
• Information technology equipment and service providers;
• Telematics, including automatic crash notification (ACN) and advanced ACN;
• Hazmat security alerts to or from commercial motor carriers or rail carriers;
• Integration of ITS systems with public safety communications systems.

The NG 9-1-1 System will be able to handle emergency "calls" such as:

• Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) "call" to 9-1-1 with medically relevant data, routed to appropriate EMS and hospital;
• Camera phone 9-1-1 "call" from citizen;
• Outbound Emergency Notification call TO travelers approach a serious hazard, such as a hazardous material (hazmat) spill.

The current 9-1-1 system is analog technology in an overwhelmingly digital world. The future core technology of the 9-1-1 system will be Internet Protocol (IP) networks. IP networks are not the same as the "Internet," although access by the Internet should be part of 9-1-1.

The NG 9-1-1 Initiative will facilitate discussions and leverage resources to develop a national consensus framework and architecture for the Next Generation 9-1-1 system. The Initiative will convene stakeholders to determine strategies for the transition to NG9-1-1.

Actual deployment is not part of the Initiative.