The new rules were criticized by the GSMA, which urged Europe to adopt the C-V2X technology instead of Wi-Fi-based DSRC technology
The European Commission (EC) has implemented new rules stepping up the deployment of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) on Europe’s roads and supporting Dedicated Short Range Communications technology, or DSRC.
The new technology is aimed at enabling vehicles to communicate to each other, to the road infrastructure, and to other road users – for instance about dangerous situations, road works and the timing of traffic lights, with the goal of making road transport safer, cleaner and more efficient.
The EC said that the new rules are in line with the proposals on clean mobility introduced by EC leadership and “are a further step for modernizing the European mobility sector, preparing it for climate neutrality in the second half of the century and contributing to the EU’s long-term goal of moving close to zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050.”
“This decision gives vehicle manufacturers, road operators and others the long-awaited legal certainty needed to start large-scale deployment of C-ITS services across Europe, while remaining open to new technology and market developments,” said Commissioner for Mobility and Transport Violeta Bulc. “It will significantly contribute to us achieving our ambitions on road safety, and is an important stepping stone towards connected and automated mobility.”
As of this year, vehicles, traffic signs and motorways will be equipped with technology to send standardized messages to all traffic participants around them, the Commission said.
The new specifications establish the minimal legal requirements for interoperability between the different cooperative systems used. Interoperability will enable all equipped stations to exchange messages with any other station securely in an open network, the European body added.
The Commission also said that the cooperative element – enabled by digital connectivity between vehicles, and between vehicles and the transport infrastructure – is expected to improve road safety and traffic efficiency.
Meanwhile, industry association GSMA criticized the technology choice made by the European Commission as it “undercuts its own 5G Action Plan and jeopardises its digital competitiveness.”
“The Commission has chosen to ignore technological innovation and choice, and instead stick with an outdated Wi-Fi (802.11p) technology for connected vehicles. The GSMA urges EU member States and the European Parliament to reject the proposed rules that favor Wi-Fi technology to connect cars across Europe, and instead maintain flexibility to encourage the deployment of more advanced technologies, like Cellular-V2X (C-V2X) connectivity.
“The GSMA fully supports the purported aim of this legislation to make roads in Europe safer and smarter to bring down the number of road fatalities. However, the Commission’s plan to double down on an aging technology for C-ITS does a disservice to European drivers and industry. The Delegated Act on C-ITS fails to take into account more recent technological innovation. C-V2X provides more security, range and quality of service than 802.11p. It is, therefore, no surprise that C-V2X is quickly becoming the worldwide standard for communication between vehicles and with roadside infrastructure. In fact, North America and China are already moving forward with C-V2X, which will allow them to move to connected driving more quickly, cheaply and safely than Europe,” GSMA added.
