DOT 'Identifies' 17 ITS Standards

The Department of Transportation has formally recognized 17 standards needed to ensure “smooth operation” of intelligent transportation systems throughout the nation.

Some of the standards are intended to ensure trucking’s electronic connection with state agencies for obtaining credentials and the compatibility of pre-clearance systems for borders, ports and toll collection.

Standards involving short-range radio communications — essential to transponder technology — are marked by some dissension among equipment suppliers. Lack of voluntary unanimity prompted Congress to direct DOT to make the final determination on adopting the “sandwich protocol.”

The protocol involves three existing standards — physical characteristics, service applications and data link, which have been a bone of commercial contention.

Also involved is a single radio frequency for ITS communications (1-25, p. 10).

he standards are to be in place by 2001. More than 100 standards for ITS have been identified thus far, DOT officials said July 6.

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