Texas Fire Chief - Fall/Winter 2007 - (Page 23)

The Benefits of Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) IT’S TIME FOR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS TO GET INVOLVED By Jeff O’Brian he Federal Highway Administration has embarked upon a program to study the feasibility of a national system dedicated to the support of vehicle-to-roadside and vehicle-to-vehicle wireless communications – vehicle infrastructure integration (VII). The VII program is based primarily on the use of dedicated radio frequencies set aside by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the express purpose of providing a safer and more efficient transportation system – dedicated short-range communications (DSRC). The DSRC service involves vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, helping to ensure the safety of the traveling public while mitigating congestion on our roadways. This form of information exchange between vehicles and the infrastructure can save lives by providing drivers with critical information to better respond to hazardous road conditions or accidents. DSRC systems operate in the 5.8 to 5.9 GHz band and utilize a newly emerging wireless standard – 802.11p. On Nov. 6, 2005, nine transportation companies and government agencies teamed to reveal the future TEXAS FIRE CHIEF Fall/Winter 2007 T of intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Econolite, a traffic management company in business since 1933, managed an intersection exhibition that combined a variety of VII demonstrations at the 12th annual ITS America World Congress, Innovative Mobility Showcase (IMS). These “intelligent intersection” demonstrations featured a variety of ITS technology applications that highlighted the future transportation communications initiatives being developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) VII initiative. The initial demonstrations formed the foundation of VII in the following applications: Traffic Signal Violation Warning – An “intelligent intersection” distributes instantaneous traffic-signal information to nearby vehicles. The vehicle uses this data, vehicle position and speed to determine the risk of an unsafe passage through the intersection. The application produces advisories when needed, cueing the driver to perform corrective actions and consequently reducing the risk of an intersection collision. Public-Safety Vehicle Priority Signal Activation – A public-safety vehicle issues a request to the inter- section to receive traffic-signal priority. The traffic signal is changed to a green light if recognized as an authorized response vehicle, allowing the vehicle fast, safe passage through the intersection. In-Vehicle Signing – Dynamic road-condition data is received from the DSRC roadside equipment. Audible and visual advisories are presented to the driver as the vehicle approaches an active work zone, avoiding a potentially dangerous situation. What’s in it for transportation? Aside from the prospect of looking at a new ITS technology, there are a number of benefits to VII. Currently, there is a groundswell of support for VII in the transportation industry and from its stakeholders. There are several fundamental reasons for this enthusiasm, but the primary reason is that this new wireless communications network is dedicated to transportation. This proposed network is FCC regulated and defined using USDOTdeveloped standards. As we see what is happening around the country regarding wireless communications, it is obvious that there needs to be some 23

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Texas Fire Chief - Fall/Winter 2007

Contents Executive Director’s Report Fire Chief of the Year What is an Emergency Service District (ESD)? Tax-Exempt Financing 101 The Benefits of Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) Southwest Fire Rescue 2008 Preview Membership Application ‘Courage to be Safe’ Program Aims to Save Lives Red Truck, Green Building Index to Advertisers

Texas Fire Chief - Fall/Winter 2007

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