ABI: Vehicle Safety Drives Early Deployments of DSRC

August 21, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS

According to ABI Research, formal test plans are progressing pretty much on schedule, but there are signs that some original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will not be waiting for a national infrastructure to be in place before they take the initiative.

Early proponents of DSRC were bullish on the prospects for fee collection and vehicle identification.

Now those functions appear to have taken a back seat to safety and traffic information. Analysts said improved traffic flow will also have the benefit of improving fuel consumption by reducing the amount of time drivers spend idling in traffic jams.

"The worldwide government focus on improving safety and reducing fatalities will drive early implementations that will have limited functionality," said David Alexander, ABI Research principal analyst.

"Once the basic infrastructure and a significant number of vehicles are equipped, new applications are expected to emerge that will accelerate the implementation of DSRC."

The bandwidth and exclusivity of DSRC frequency bands will make it the preferred medium for safety applications, such as intersection collision avoidance and advanced warning systems.

Analysts said real-time traffic information is the next benefit, providing the automakers potential for enhancing the value of their built-in navigation systems. Municipalities and other organizations responsible for traffic flow are keen to support the rollout to keep their own constituents happy.

Analysts said Wi-Fi and cellular-based services, as well as custom systems for emergency responders, will continue to grow in the automotive space. The challenge for the future will be to integrate with DSRC to provide seamless service for road users.

Source: ABI Research.