V2I and V2V Communications

Description

Provide DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) in each car to allow communication between cars and equipment such as lights for improved/safer full self-driving abilities.

Competitive/Pricing/Notes

DSRC is a two-way short to medium-range wireless communications capability that permits very high data transmission critical in communications-based active safety applications. In Report and Order FCC-03-324, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated 75 MHz of spectrum in the 5.9 GHz band for use by Intelligent Transportations Systems (ITS) vehicle safety and mobility applications.

DSRC based communications is a major research priority of the Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) at the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). The cross-modal program is conducting research using DSRC and other wireless communications technologies to ensure safe, interoperable connectivity to help prevent vehicular crashes of all types and to enhance mobility and environmental benefits across all transportation system modes.

The U.S. DOT’s commitment to DSRC for active safety communications contributes to safer driving. Vehicle safety applications that use vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications need secure, wireless interface dependability in extreme weather conditions, and short time delays; all of which are facilitated by DSRC.

Some cars (Cadillac, Volvo, Mercedes) are starting to support this standard. When so equipped, a car will know how many seconds an upcoming light will still be green; when there are oncoming vehicles that also support the standard, where they are coming from and what speed; and many other applications. See the DOT writeup here.

Moderator: Estimated cost per vehicle is estimated at about $150, with lower costs as volumes increase. This does not include the engineering or software development costs by the manufacturer. It should also be pointed out that almost no fixed equipment is in place (i.e. signals equipped with DSRC) and it is unclear who would pay for the necessary upgrades. More here.

Status

Unknown.