Report: Make DSRC In Demand

As testing of Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) begins to ramp up, major players must build a rollout plan into their short-term product manufacturing plans, according to a report from ABI Research. The technology — a short- to medium-range wireless protocol designed for automotive use — is a subset of RFID-technology that offers communication between cars and roadside equipment. It has most recently been deployed in electronic toll collection. Since the infrastructure is present, manufacturers must find a way to grow demand in order to make the technology successful, the report said. For example, manufacturers should make driver benefits clear while keeping costs low. "There needs to be strong demand from both new vehicle purchasers and existing drivers to get a significant number of DSRC-equipped vehicles on the road quickly," David Alexander, principal analyst at ABI Research, said in a statement. "This will mean keeping the cost low and encouraging an aftermarket for the technology." Alexander suggested encouraging the market by working with navigation system suppliers to incorporate real-time feedback into their systems, for practical use like real-time traffic information.