For Immediate Release
June 28, 2011
Contact: Emily Fishkin: (202) 721-4204 or
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ITS America Assumes Leadership Role in International Committee for ITS Standards
Washington, D.C. - The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) will once again lead administration of the US Technical Advisory Group for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and serve as International Secretariat for the International Organization for Standardization’s ITS Technical Committee. ITS America takes over from the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), which had administered the groups since 2006.
The technical committee, formally known in the industry as Technical Committee 204 (ISO/TC204) is the main body responsible for international ITS standardization, which includes setting standards for information, communications and control systems related to surface transportation, including traveler information, traffic management, transit, commercial transportation, emergency services and commercial services in the ITS field. Excluded from this scope are in-vehicle devices and information which are covered by a separate subcommittee.
The role of the US Technical Advisory Group, which includes government and industry representatives, is to provide guidance, develop and approve U.S. contributions, and provide U.S. technical experts to the work of ISO/TC204.
“Absent global standards, many ITS technologies are limited to local markets due to interoperability issues. The committee’s work is critically important to ensure wider market penetration, lower costs, and to advance the transportation technology industry,” said Scott Belcher, President and CEO of ITS America. “We look forward to helping shape standardization in this fast-growing, dynamic field.”
Since its creation in 1992, ISO/TC204 has published nearly 120 standards and with 125 currently under development, ISO/TC204 plays a leading role addressing the commercial needs of the ITS industry, including standards addressing the overall ITS architecture, ITS database technologies, public transport/emergency management, traveler information systems, freight and commercial vehicles, toll collection, wide area communications, and cooperative systems. ISO/TC204’s broad and ambitious work program makes it one of ISO’s top 10 committees in terms of active projects. In addition, ISO/TC204 maintains liaisons with other international standardization bodies such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
The next meeting of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group will take place on July 6, 2011 at ITS America headquarters in Washington, DC. Membership is open to all organizations in the ITS industry with a U.S. presence. If you would like to participate or would like more information, please contact Tyler Messa, Director of Standards Initiatives at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or +1.202.721.4227.
About the Intelligent Transportation Society of America
ITS America is the leading advocate for ITS technology development and deployment in the United States. ITS America was established in 1991 as a not-for-profit organization to foster the use of advanced technologies across America’s surface transportation system. Members include private companies and industry leaders, government agencies at all levels, universities and research laboratories. For more information, visit www.itsa.org.
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