Upcoming NEMA Standard to Harmonize Communication Among Traffic Control Devices

An upcoming National Electrical Manufacturers Association standard could accelerate deployment of connected vehicle roadside infrastructure technology, said the association at an Intelligent Transportation Society of Georgia (ITSGA) meeting Monday. NEMA TS 10, commissioned by the NEMA Transportation Management Systems Section, is a harmonized technical specification for traffic signals, crosswalk signs, flashing school zone safety beacons, ramp meters and other electronic traffic control equipment, it said. A vital component of the connected vehicle ecosystem is the ability for vehicles and the infrastructure to communicate with each other regardless of the type of device or underlying technology, NEMA said, saying with the standard, dedicated short-range communications and cellular vehicle to everything can work together in the same spectrum via a dual-mode or dual active roadside connected vehicle device. “NEMA TS 10 will enable user agencies to have confidence in procuring roadside infrastructure equipment that will not become obsolete as communication technology advances,” said Steve Griffith, NEMA transportation industry director. A technical committee is drafting the standard, expected to be completed by year-end.