From 2011–2014, the primary focus of the ITS Standards program will be the development of quality standards that directly support the ITS Program’s goals for interoperability, cooperative systems, and a connected transportation environment (see the ITS Standards Strategic Plan). These standards development efforts will be informed by results of ongoing connected vehicle development activities, findings from the VII proof-of concept tests, and other domestic and international technological developments. While it is possible that the recommended changes will address the problems detected during the proof-of-concept tests, it is not a given that the changes will lead to fixes that work effectively in the field and ensure the successful operation of smart communications between vehicles.  Therefore, it is the intent of the ITS Program to test implementations of the revised standards based on a set of standards test plans and procedures that will verify that: (1) the prototype implementations conform to the appropriate standard; and (2) the standards support the capability needed to advance smart communications between vehicles toward deployment. A critical step in the completion of the connected vehicle standards is the ability to prototype and test new and revised standards in the connected vehicles test bed.

The program will also fund further updating and testing of other standards, including those covering infrastructure, vehicle, transit, and motor carrier, and other ITS technologies. The program will identify and execute opportunities to improve these standards and will apply life-cycle management principles to future standards efforts. Where appropriate and in the public interest, the program will also work to ensure that the connected vehicle standards are harmonized with international standards. Additionally the program will assist in the establishment of ITS Standards outreach and training led by USDOTs Professional Capacity Building (PCB) program.

Standards & Certification

Information about ITS Standards (including their publication status) is available on the ITS Standards website.
ITS Standards related to Vehicle to Vehicle and Vehicle to Infrastructure research are:

• The IEEE 1609 Family of Trial-Use Standards for Wireless Access in Vehicular Environments (WAVE). This Fact Sheet provides further information.
• The IEEE 802.11p Standard for Information Technology - Telecommunications and Information Exchange Between Systems - Local and Metropolitan Area Networks - Specific Requirements - Part II: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specification. More Information about the status of the IEEE 802.11p standard is available on the IEEE website.
• The SAE J2735 Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) Message Set Dictionary. This Fact Sheet provides further information about the SAE J2735 Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) Message Set Dictionary.

Certification

The following documents are available from the OmniAir Consortium:

• 5.9GHz DSRC Device Certification Program: Recommendations on Program Structure
• Safety, Liability, And Reliability Requirements For 5.9 GHz Systems White Paper: Legal Issues For The Development Of A Certification Program
• Test Method for IEEE® Standards 1609.2TM, 1609.3TM &1609.4TM

Copies may be obtained via request to the OmniAir Consortium at mcguckin@omniair.org.

Links:

• Standards Implementation (Federal Highway Administration)
• ITS Standards Program
• ITS Standards Strategic Plan

Research Contacts

To learn more about this research, contact:

Steve Sill
Program Manager, Vehicle Safety Technology, ITS Architecture and Standards ITS Joint Program Office
Research and Innovative Technology Administration
(202) 366-1603
steve.sill@dot.gov