Month: June 2017

Connectivity is the Key to Safety for Automated Vehicles

For those in our industry who have been laboring for years to develop and refine DSRC-based Connected Vehicle technologies, the recent enthusiasm for Automated Vehicles has proved vexing. Hardly a day goes by when we read another article or listen to testimony in Congress about the “life-saving benefits” of Automated Vehicles, with little mention of the well-documented and thoroughly demonstrated safety benefits of connectivity.

In last week’s hearing on automated vehicles, no less than the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senator Thune (R-SD), remarked that “self-driving vehicle technology will have a transformational impact on highway safety.” Senator Peters (R-MI), added: “Self-driving vehicles will not only dramatically change how we get from place to place, they have the potential to prevent accidents and save thousands of lives.”

No doubt, self-driving vehicles hold great promise. We are all familiar with the oft-quoted statistic, that over 94% of all crashes are attributable to human error. Proponents of V2V have often argued the same.

It would seem, then, only logical that fully-automated automobiles, which remove all human control, would be the safest of all. But what if advocates for automated vehicles, the tech press, and innumerable marketing departments have over-stated the case? What if all of the technologies in a self-contained automobile are simply not enough to ensure the safety of passengers and pedestrians?

Yesterday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published a report on the deadly crash in 2016 involving a Tesla Model S and the driver’s use of semi-automated vehicle control systems. The 500+ page report raises questions about how drivers will be able to safely interact with varying levels of vehicle automation.

Particularly disappointing was an article published last week by the libertarian think tank, the Niskanen Center, which takes dead aim at DSRC, noting its opposition to NHTSA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communications.

While there may be reasonable differences of opinion on NHTSA’s proposed rule, which OmniAir strongly supports, the author of that article seems to make the argument that DSRC is somehow unnecessary for successful deployment of Automated Vehicles.  I could not disagree more.

DSRC-based V2X technologies provide an important additional safety layer, transmitting basic safety messages from vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure. DSRC can broadcast signals up to 300 meters, providing an essential “third eye” to self-driving cars. The fact that these signals broadcast through walls and around corners augment the line of sight capabilities of cameras, LiDAR, radar, and other technologies used by autonomous vehicles.

Most importantly, DSRC-based V2X is ready for national deployment – now.  After some two decades of research, testing, and small-scale deployment programs, there is a clear consensus supporting V2X DSRC among government (federal and state), vehicle OEMs, device manufacturers, and researchers.

Key national standards for V2V DSRC, such as SAE J2735 and SAE J2945/1, determined through a consensus-based process, are in place. OmniAir is preparing to launch a certification program to provide critical conformance and interoperability certification. The Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot in Ann Arbor, Michigan proved the viability of V2V and V2I safety applications in real-world conditions. DSRC has answered key technical, policy, and institutional issues.

I am excited about the future vision of driverless cars and shared mobility. Like many of you, I will be attending the next month’s AUVSI/TRB Symposium on Automated Vehicles in San Francisco to better understand how this future is quickly becoming a reality.

However, as policymakers begin to set rules for vehicle automation, they would do well to make use of existing, market-ready safety technologies that will improve the safety of self-driving cars. Vehicle connectivity provides an essential additional safety layer for self-driving cars. Let’s start using it to save lives–now.

OmniAir Consortium is the leading industry association promoting interoperability and certification for connected vehicles, ITS, and transportation payment systems. To learn more about OmniAir, visit our website at www.omniair.org

Jason M. Conley
Executive Director, OmniAir Consortium

Share this article

OmniAir is preparing to launch the first ever DSRC-based vehicle-to-everything (V2X) device certification program. Before launching, we will be authorizing one test laboratory as part of a certification demonstration project to help finalize our test lab authorization policy and procedures.

Following the official launch of OmnAir’s Connected Vehicle Device Certification Program, we will open up this opportunity to other test laboratories. This demonstration project is for test laboratories ready to test DSRC devices now

Opportunity:

Accredited test laboratories that are OmniAir members are encouraged to participate and submit a proposal to become the first authorized test laboratory for connected vehicle device certification.

Proposals are due no later than 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, June 19, 2017.

The successful candidate will demonstrate device testing, laboratory capabilities and conformance based on 2016 standards with SCMS/CAMP quality certificates. OmniAir may consider Plugfest certificates as a substitute. Applicants must be ready to submit to an initial audit at their facility the week of July 17, 2017.

Selection criteria:   

  • Must be an OmniAir member in good standing
  • Must be an accredited test laboratory
  • Price proposal (will be an important factor)
  • Qualified DSRC test equipment for both bench and field testing
  • Comprehend IEEE and SAE DRSC standards per 2016 standards and USDOT device (OBU & RSU) requirements
  • Demonstrated testing capabilities and provide test report samples for both OBE and RSE devices
  • Engineer (subject matter expert) and technicians qualified to conduct DSRC testing, generate test reports and interface with their clients
  • Auditable and maintaining capability with DSRC technology through OmniAir
  • Maintain OmniAir membership and requirements including plugfest participation and technical committees/activities

Proposals:

Interested laboratories are invited to submit price and technical proposals.
All bids shall be treated as confidential.

OmniAir will not consider any price proposal under $10,000.00.

Proposal Submission:

Email submissions to Jason Conley (jconley@omniair.org), and to Randy Roebuck (rdroebuck@omniair.org).

Questions:

OmniAir staff will host a conference call for interested test laboratories at 1 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. Questions must be submitted in writing no later than 5 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, June 13, 2017.

Written questions are encouraged before the call. OmniAir will share submitted questions and responses with all participating laboratories on the call.

Interested parties can submit questions and receive the dial-in number by emailing Jason Conley. (jconley@omniair.org)

Share this article

OmniAir is preparing to launch the first ever DSRC-based vehicle-to-everything (V2X) device certification program.  Before launch, Omniair will qualify the test systems and equipment that will be utilized by OmniAir-approved Test Laboratories (OATL) for device testing.  The work performed is designed to refine and finalize our test policies and procedures per 2016 standards and 2017 security certificates.

Following the official launch of OmnAir’s Connected Vehicle Device Certification Program, other test equipment providers and laboratories have an opportunity to participate. This demonstration project is for test equipment and test system providers with market-ready solutions.

Opportunity:

Test equipment system providers that are OmniAir members are encouraged to participate and submit their qualifications. The goal is to achieve test equipment systems validation for use in an authorized test laboratory for connected vehicle device conformance.

Submissions are due no later than 5 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, June 21, 2017.

The successful candidate(s) must demonstrate device testing with the test equipment capabilities and conformance based on 2016 standards with SCMS/CAMP quality certificates. OmniAir may consider Plugfest certificates as a substitute. Applicants must be ready to submit an application and have the test equipment audited at their facility (if not portable) starting July 5, 2017.

Selection criteria:

  • Must be an OmniAir member in good standing.
  • Bench DSRC test equipment system to validate OmniAir Release 1 test plan or specific functionality per 2016 standards and requirements; field test equipment is optional but highly desirable.
  • Comprehend IEEE and SAE DRSC standards per 2016 revision, USDOT device (OBU & RSU) requirements and SAE J2735 message decoding (BSM & WSA mandatory and others plus).
  • Provide data sheet and user manual of test equipment system.
  • Provide testing functionality coverage matrix regarding standards verifying and validation process used.
  • Demonstrated testing capabilities and provide test report samples for both OBE and RSE devices or specific functionality.
  • Auditable and maintaining capability of evolving DSRC technology.
  • Maintain OmniAir membership and requirements including plugfest participation and technical committees/activities.

Price:

Interested test tool providers are invited to submit technical proposals. All submissions shall be treated as confidential. The audit and certification fee is $10,000.00 for a system or $5,000.00 for a specific test tool; plus, travel costs.

Proposal Submission:

Email submissions to Jason Conley (jconley@omniair.org), and to Randy Roebuck (rdroebuck@omniair.org).

Questions:

OmniAir staff to host a conference call for interested test equipment providers at 11 a.m. EDT on Thursday, June 15, 2017. Questions must be submitted in writing no later than 5 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, June 14, 2017.

Written questions are encouraged before the call. OmniAir to share queries and responses with all participating laboratories on the call.

Interested parties can submit questions and receive the dial-in number by emailing Jason Conley. (jconley@omniair.org)

Share this article

On May 31, OmniAir Consortium hosted the first in a series of policy roundtables focused on automotive cybersecurity issues. This event, sponsored by CYMOTIVE Technologies, was hosted at the City Club of Washington, DC.

Officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation, including Cem Haitpoglu from NHTSA and Kevin Gay from the ITS Joint Program Office, briefed participants on current federal research efforts to address cybersecurity issues associated with Connected and Automated Vehicle technologies.

Booz Allen Hamilton’s Chris Poulin directed a focused conversation of key technical and policy issues that also included Integrity Security Services’ David Sequino emphasizing the need for industry-driven certification programs and voluntary guidelines.

The 2.5-hour panel discussion had significant audience participation. “No presentations, no audio-visual, no media, no distractions just a hollow-square seating configuration, filled with industry leaders who encouraged interaction and discussion said event panelist, David Sequino. “I was surprised at the level of participation, and free flowing discussions that took place and I look forward to participating in future panels.”

Leading security, technology, and automotive experts actively participated in the discussion. They included representatives from Consumer Technology Association, CompTIA, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, GW Center for Cyber & Homeland Security, 3M, UL, MET Labs, CYMOTIVE, Monument Policy Group, Catalyst Partners, and the U.S.-Israel Transportation Innovation Center, among others.

“We hosted an intimate roundtable bringing together leading government officials and experts in automotive cybersecurity, said Jason Conley, Executive Director at OmniAir. “The conversation about ongoing government research and industry efforts to ensure the security of V2X and AV technologies was eye-opening. OmniAir intends to address the cybersecurity issue head-on, as we develop our certification programs.”

OmniAir plans on hosting several more roundtable discussions throughout the year. Our inaugural event was made possible through a paid sponsored by CYMOTIVE Technologies, a cybersecurity firm based in Israel. If you would like to sponsor an event, participate on the panel or have topics you would like covered; please contact Ryan Hall, OmniAir’s director of marketing and communications.

OmniAir Consortium is the leading industry association promoting interoperability and certification for connected vehicles, ITS, and transportation payment systems. To learn more about OmniAir, visit our website at www.omniair.org.

Share this article

Cybersecurity Expert Chris Poulin Joins Automotive Cybersecurity Roundtable

Please join OmniAir for an intimate roundtable discussion on automotive cybersecurity with senior government officials, automotive and cybersecurity experts to discuss and analyze research and best practices moving forward. Cybersecuirty expert Chris Poulin will lead the discussion as the panel’s moderator.

Chris has over 30 years experience in the field of cybersecurity. He is the Principal Director overseeing the Connected Products Program at Booz Allen Hamilton. Chris’ expertise and attention are on the Internet-of-thing (IoT), with a focus on the connected vehicle.

Before joining Booz Allen, Chris spent five years at IBM managing the X-Force security research group, responsible for researching and analyzing security trends as they relate to cybercrime, cyberwarfare, corporate espionage, hacktivism, and emerging threats, with a particular focus on security for the IoT, especially connected vehicles. Chris authored IBM’s two automotive security POV white papers and forged the IoT security strategy across business lines.

“OmniAir is leading the charge on certification for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology. Securing the connected vehicle platform is pivotal to widespread acceptance and deployment of connected and autonomous vehicles said,” Jason Conley, executive director at OmniAir. “OmniAir is bringing together leading government officials and experts in automotive cybersecurity for a conversation about ongoing government research and industry efforts to address this issue.”

For additional information and to register for the event visit our event page.

OmniAir Consortium is the leading industry association promoting interoperability and certification in ITS, tolling, IoT technologies and connected vehicles. OmniAir’s membership includes public agencies, private companies, research institutions, and independent test labs. OmniAir is preparing to launch its Connected Vehicle Certification program later this summer, and to host a Plugfest in the San Francisco Bay Area in October. Learn more about OmniAir at www.omniair.org.

Share this article