Proof of Concept Field Testing to Begin in California

    FLEMINGTON, N.J., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- With proof of concept
testing complete in the Detroit testbed environment, 5.9 GHz DSRC
technology is being tested in a live toll environment, in California using
technology from MARK IV. The MARK IV software was developed under contract
to the Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) Consortium which seeks the
nationwide deployment of a communications infrastructure on the roadways
and in all production vehicles: VII is a partnership of automotive OEMs,
state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and the U.S. DOT. This testing
in California is being conducted by MTC using real time validation tools
provided by ICxTransportation.

    "A federal 5.9 GHz Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) standard
is the best way to achieve nationwide electronic toll collection
interoperability," stated Martin Capper, president of MARK IV IVHS. "We are
well on our way to showing that 5.9 GHz DSRC can deliver the same
unparalleled 99.99 percent capture rates available with MARK IV's 915 MHz
E-ZPass(R) products."

    5.9 GHz DSRC is a powerful new communication standard proposed by the
U.S. DOT to move information between vehicles and the roadway as well as
directly among moving vehicles. DSRC uses an allocation of radio frequency
spectrum established by the FCC to enable a broad slate of public and
private safety applications that promise to enhance the productivity of the
nation's transportation system.

    According to Mr. Capper, "MARK IV's approach to 5.9 GHz DSRC technology
is to assure a seamless transition that allows this new technology to be
compatible with legacy systems such as E-ZPass. Transition without the
chaos."

    MARK IV IVHS supplies the majority of electronic toll collection
equipment in the northeastern United States. With more than 17 millions
transponders on the road and more than 3,000 lanes equipped, MARK IV is the
largest supplier of its kind in North America. Known for its innovations,
MARK IV technology has enabled many landmark intelligent transportation
system deployments, including: Canada's Highway 407 ETR, the world's first,
non-stop, all-electronic toll road; interoperability between truck
electronic preclearance systems and toll collection, numerous border
crossing projects; and, the E-ZPass(R) system of the Interagency Group of
24 toll authorities.

Link to this page: