RITA and ITS America Invite Comments on
Real-Time System Management Information
Program
The U.S. DOT's Research and Innovative Technology
Administration (RITA)
is encouraging comments on the Real-Time System Management
Information Program Final Rule, published in the Federal
Register here.
Called for in Section 1201 of the 2005 federal surface
transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU),
the Real-Time System Management Information Program would provide
the capability to monitor in real-time the traffic and travel
conditions of major highways across the U.S. and provide a means of
sharing the data with state and local governments and the traveling
public. SAFETEA-LU required the Secretary of Transportation to
establish a formal rule in order to define minimum parameters and
requirements for states to make available and share traffic and
travel condition information via real-time information programs.
RITA, which oversees the federal ITS program, is strongly
encouraging stakeholders to provide detailed comments regarding the
Final Rule. RITA is particularly interested in responses to
questions below from the Federal
Register notice:
(E) Given the research investment into wireless
communications systems in the 5.9 GHz spectrum for Intelligent
Transportation Systems applications, to what extent could systems
in this spectrum also be used to fulfill the requirements of this
rule and/or enable other applications?
(F) Given that there are legacy technologies in place now,
and that there are new technologies on the horizon that are being
adopted, how can we ensure that investments made today to comply
with this rule are sustainable over the long term?
To submit comments to these and other questions in the
Federal Register notice, or to provide general feedback
regarding the Real-Time System Management Information Program
implementation, please click here.
According to the Final Rule, establishment of the real-time
information program for the Interstate highway system will be
completed no later than November 8, 2014, and
establishment of the program along State-designated metropolitan
area routes of significance will be completed no later than
November 8, 2016. Comments should be
submitted no later than December 23, 2010 when the
Final Rule is scheduled to go into effect.
ITS America is also interested in your views
as we consider a response to the Final Rule. If your organization
would like to submit comments for consideration, please email them
to Paul Feenstra at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
in
addition to submitting your comments to the official
docket.