Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends.
As we begin 2026, we are excited to share OmniAir’s plans for the year ahead as we continue to build on the strong momentum from 2025. For the New Year, OmniAir has set some very ambitious goals and exciting initiatives. Each of these offers an opportunity for our members and partner organizations to roll up their sleeves and get involved.
Here is a brief preview of what OmniAir will be working on in 2026
OmniAir C-V2X Certification Release 2.0
Since launching the world’s first third-party testing and certification programs for Cellular vehicle-to-everything (V2X OBUs in 2021 and RSUs in 2022, OmniAir has continued to drive progress in connected vehicle standards and testing. As the industry has matured, we have updated our test documents to reflect the latest standards--some updated, some new. Also, deployer requirements and needs continue to evolve. We want to ensure that our certification programs continue to meet the needs of deploying agencies and OEMs, and reflect the lessons learned from early deployments.
OmniAir plans to release Version 2.0 of our C-V2X OBU and RSU certification programs by the fourth quarter of this year.
V2X Tolling Certification
OmniAir has offered independent, third-party testing and certification for RFID toll tags and readers since 2012, expanding just two years ago to multi-protocol devices, supporting national toll interoperability. Agencies have come to trust OmniAir Certification to ensure standards conformance, interoperability, and performance of equipment. However, as technology evolves, the tolling community is exploring new options for electronic toll collection--including telematics-based tolling, V2X-based tolling, and third-party applications.
Building on successful Plugfest demonstrations in 2025 and early tolling pilots by some of our member agencies, OmniAir is developing the world’s first certification program for SAE J3217-compliant tolling equipment, including OBUs and RSUs. Our goal is to launch the first independent, third-party testing and certification program for C-V2X-based tolling and in-vehicle payment systems by the end of the year, extending this to include
Network V2X Certification
Similar to electronic toll collection, vehicle-to-everything technologies used for road safety continue to evolve. Since launching the world's first testing and certification program for direct C-V2X (LTE-V2X PC5) over 4 years ago, we have seen a growing number of infrastructure owner-operators require OmniAir Certified equipment for C-V2X equipment. However, much like tolling, C-V2X continues to evolve. More agencies are piloting and demonstrating V2X systems with safety messages transmitted over the network.
As 5G and network-based V2X solutions expand, there is a need to expand our testing and certification programs to accommodate other communications media, beyond PC5. OmniAir is starting a new program to ensure interoperability and standards compliance for C-V2X safety and traveler information messages, whether transmitted directly or over the network. OmniAir is forming a new sub-Working Group on this topic starting February 1, with the goal of having draft test cases for testing at Plugfests this year.
Sensor Certification
Through our Connected Infrastructure Working Group, we are initiating testing and certification for intersection sensors and sensor systems, including cameras, lidar and radar, that enhance safety and mobility when integrated with V2X technology. In addition, we have a related initiative focused on conformance testing for Sensor Data Sharing Messages (SDSM).
Electronic Conspicuity for Aviation
With a projected 6.5 million unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) worldwide by 2030, and UAS flights set to vastly outnumber manned flights, there is a need to explore the application of advanced communication and electronic conspicuity technologies to support the safe integration of UAS into the National Airspace System. The success of this depends on reliable communication technologies that enable electronic conspicuity and collision avoidance, OmniAir will begin a new initiative, exploring the application of V2X and other cellular-based electronic communications technologies in the aviation environment.
Plugfests and Workshops
We are planning two exciting Plugfests in 2026, in Maryland and in Michigan. These events provide vendors with the opportunity to conduct hands-on testing in both laboratory and field environments, alongside leading V2X testing, cybersecurity, and transportation technology experts from around the world. We also plan to host in-person workshops, starting with a spring workshop in North Carolina, exploring testing and certification needs for V2X-based tolling and in-vehicle payment systems.
Finally, I would like to thank each of you for your continued support for OmniAir and its mission. All of our work is accomplished through our volunteer members and volunteer leadership. As you can see, there are so many opportunities to contribute and to lead working groups and initiatives. If you are not yet an OmniAir member, reach out to one of our team or visit our website, www.omniair.org to learn more and to get involved!
We look forward to working with each of you in the new year!
Jason M. Conley
Executive Director
