European lawmakers consider future C-ITS framework

Aimed at harmonising cooperative ITS deployment, the C-ITS Delegated Act - a leaked draft of which had circulated widely within the ITS industry – will in effect decide, for example, what communications protocols are to be used as C-ITS develops.

The draft suggests that the eventual law will be technology-neutral, although the fact that it is using the existing ITS-G5 as a baseline technology has worried the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA).

The organisation says the draft contradicts the 1690 European Commission’s aim of future proofing standards and legislation by “exclusively embracing ITS-G5”.

This threatens to exclude “other available and mature technologies such as LTE-V2X” for direct short-range or long-range communications, it said in a submission.

5GAA believes LTE-V2X is the only platform which offers a “clear evolutionary roadmap” towards 5G for connected vehicles and road infrastructure.

Others do not agree. For example, 81 Kapsch says in its own submission: “ITS-G5 is the only commercially available technology, it hence forms the baseline for interoperability. The review clause allows future technologies in.”