Companies Hit The Road For Wireless Safety Systems

Wireless technology promises safer roads throughout America. So say Mark IV Industries, Raytheon, Sirit Inc., and TransCore, which will work together to develop a new generation of dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) technology for the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. Specifically, the companies will work in the 5.9-GHz (5.850 to 5.925 GHz) bandwidth, which the Federal Communications Commission recently dedicated to DSRC applications. Designers are now investigating the use of DSRC in intersection collision warnings, curve speed warnings, rollover warnings, emergency electronic brake lights, and other safety systems. A prototype of a first-generation 5.9-GHz safety system should be ready for testing and evaluation in approximately 18 months. For further information about the agreement, go to www.ivhs.com, www.raytheon.com, www.sirit.com, or www.transcore.com.