Author: Jason Conley

Dear OmniAir Members and Supporters, 

I want to share some news about OmniAir Consortium and our plans for the coming year. 

Since our founding nearly 20 years ago, OmniAir Consortium’s mission has remained consistent—promoting interoperability and certification for ITS, tolling, and connected vehicles.  Our belief has been and continues to be, that the availability of certified and interoperable devices will help to increase market choice, reduce costs, and lead to more ubiquitous deployments. 

Trust is essential for the connected vehicle ecosystem to thrive. OmniAir builds trust through independent, third-party testing and certification. Our certification programs are relied upon every day by infrastructure owner operators and OEMs to ensure that technologies conform to industry standards, and meet interoperability, security, and performance requirements.

Over the years, OmniAir and our members to accomplish great things, including developing the world’s first independent, third-party certification programs for DSRC, C-V2X, and RFID tolling technologies. 

OmniAir Working Groups continue to advance the state of practice for connected vehicle and tolling testing in areas as diverse as V2X hardware and applications, RFID tolling, road user charge (RUC), cybersecurity, and aftermarket safety devices to protect vulnerable road users. 

OmniAir Plugfest events bring together the connected vehicle industry and experts from across the globe for a week of connected vehicle testing in laboratory and field environments, workshops, and networking. 

A Year of Accomplishments

Thanks to the contributions of our volunteer members, OmniAir has had some significant accomplishments. In 2023, we have:

  • Launched the first comprehensive testing certification program for C-V2X RSUs.
  • Authorized field test sites in Europe and North America.
  • Welcomed our first OmniAir Authorized Test Laboratory in Taiwan.
  • Completed over a dozen test documents for multi-protocol tolling certification.
  • Released the OmniAir Test Control Interface as an open-source testing tool.
  • Hosted our first virtual security testing event focused on testing to the 1609.2.1.
  • Started a new OmniAir Working Group focused on V2X Aftermarket Safety Devices.

Next month, OmniAir members from around the world will gather in Taipei for our first connected vehicle testing event in Asia. 

Looking Ahead to 2024

OmniAir and our members will continue to build on this momentum in 2024. OmniAir Working Groups will be focused on several exciting projects and activities:

  • C-V2X Aftermarket Safety Device (ASD) certification.
  • Road usage charge (RUC) and V2X-based payments.
  • Multi-protocol RFID tolling certification.
  • V2X safety applications and universal alert messages.
  • Sensors for connected intersections.
  • Plugfests in North America and Europe.
  • Workshops on timely topics including 5G NR, cybersecurity, and RUC certification.

Planning for the Future

OmniAir must ensure we have the necessary staff and resources to continue serving our members’ needs and fulfilling OmniAir’s mission.  

Like many organizations, OmniAir has been navigating an inflationary environment through prudent spending decisions and cost-cutting where warranted.

To continue to build for the future, we must adjust our dues structure for 2024. We recognize the challenge that some of our members face with increasing expenses. This will be our first dues adjustment in two years.

Working with OmniAir’s Board of Directors in planning for 2024, we have done our best to keep any dues increase minimal, especially for our public sector members.

Associate Public Sector                  $5,000 USD (unchanged)
Associate Private Sector                 $7,500 USD (vs $6,000 in 2023)

Executive Public Sector                   $11,000 US (vs $10,000 in 2023)
Executive Private Sector                  $15,000 USD (vs $12,000 in 2023)

OmniAir Sustaining Partner            $30,000 USD (unchanged)

Certification services fees and Plugfest testing fees will not increase. Members do have the option of upgrading to our OmniAir Sustaining Partner Program, which is inclusive of membership, certification services, and Plugfest fees. 

In the near future, we will provide additional information about dues renewals and packaged pricing options for savings. 

Conclusion 

We very much appreciate your continued support of OmniAir and its mission. It is only with the support and volunteer contributions of our members that we can be successful.

I hope to see many of you at our OmniAir Taipei Plugfest in a few short weeks.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the OmniAir team.

Thank you again.

Jason M. Conley
Executive Director

Share this article

As OmniAir members gather in Florida for our 11th OmniAir Plugfest, it is important to reflect on this week’s connected vehicle testing event is both timely and essential to the successful nationwide deployment of cellular-vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technologies.

Last week, there were two major announcements of great importance to the connected vehicle community.

First, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued long-sought waivers allowing initial deployments of C-V2X technologies by certain automotive OEMs, device manufacturers, and state DOTs.

Second, the U.S. Department of Transportation hosted its V2X Workshop: Continuing the Momentum Toward Nationwide Deployment.  The focus of this event was to solicit stakeholder feedback to develop a plan to meet the goal of nationwide “interoperable connectivity.”

To help advance the important goal of nationwide interoperable connectivity, OmniAir and its member companies and organizations are gathering this week at the world-class SunTrax Test Facility in Auburndale, Florida for the largest, most comprehensive C-V2X testing event in North America.

OmniAir Florida Plugfest, brings together leading technology providers, systems integrators, device manufacturers, test laboratories, and test equipment providers from around the world for an intensive week of testing for cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technologies.

Testing teams are coming from around the globe to participate in this Plugfest.  Representatives from United States, Canada, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Israel, Hungary, Germany, Spain, India, and the United Kingdom, among others.

The event will feature over 20 C-V2X radios, rotating through 140 individual test sessions in both laboratory and field environments.  Devices will undergo rigorous testing for conformance, interoperability, performance, and security in a cooperative and open environment, where government, industry and academic institutions come together to help make C-V2X-based connected interoperability a reality.

Testing will include:

  • Bench conformance testing (PHY layer, security, upper layer protocol, 1218 SNMP and application along with BSM, TIM, SPaT & MAP messages)
  • OBU Field performance testing (location accuracy, hard braking, heading and path prediction)
  • Security testing (1609.2, 1609.2.1, and security certificate loading)
  • Field Application, Intersection and Terrain Testing
  • Interoperability (in laboratory and field environments)

The goal of OmniAir Plugfests is device readiness, test case validation, and improvement of test equipment and laboratories.  Participation helps to ensure that C-V2X OBUs, RSUs, and modules conform to industry standards, meet minimum interoperability, security, and performance requirements.  

OmniAir Plugfests, together with our independent, third-party testing and certification programs are an essential part of ensuring that C-V2X devices are, in fact, ready to deploy. 

About OmniAir Florida Plugfest:

OmniAir Florida Plugfest will take place May 1-5 at SunTrax Test Facility in Auburndale, Florida. OmniAir is hosting this event in partnership with Florida Department of Transportation, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, and the University of Florida Transportation Institute. 

For more information about OmniAir and certification programs, please visit our website at www.omniair.org.

Share this article

OmniAir Consortium®, the leading industry organization promoting global interoperability for tolling, ITS, and connected vehicles, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), to help advance the testing and certification of C-V2X and 5G technologies in Korea.

On April 25, Se Jong Kim, President and CEO of KTL and OmniAir® Executive Director Jason Conley signed an agreement outlining broad areas of cooperation related to testing and certification for connected vehicles in Korea, at an official signing ceremony in Washington, DC.

Minister Lee Chang-yang, Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) attended the MOU signing, which took place “Korea-U.S. High-Tech Industry & Clean Energy Partnership” MOU signing ceremony on Apr. 25 in Washington DC where 23 MOUs were signed for Korea-U.S. high-tech cooperation in hydrogen, SMR and other areas.

“We look forward to a strong partnership with KTL to further cooperation on testing and certification for connected vehicles and advanced mobility technologies in Korea and around the world” said Jason Conley, Executive Director of OmniAir Consortium. “It is an honor to sign this agreement as we mark the 70th anniversary of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea.”

OmniAir offers independent, third-party testing and certification for C-V2X, DSRC, and RFID radios and modules through a network of accredited test laboratories, using qualified test equipment and validated test cases. KTL has also joined OmniAir as a member and is contributing to the development of our testing and certification programs in Korea and around the world.

About OmniAir Consortium

OmniAir Consortium is the leading industry association promoting interoperability and certification for ITS, tolling, and connected vehicles. OmniAir’s membership includes public agencies, private companies, research institutions, and independent test laboratories. Learn more about OmniAir at www.omniair.org.

About Korea Testing Laboratory

Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL) is a leading testing and certification body in Korea established for the purpose of improving technology and global competitiveness of industries. KTL has been providing support for development of testing and evaluation technologies and helping companies obtain domestic and international certifications since 1966.

Share this article

OmniAir Consortium®, the leading industry association promoting interoperability and certification for ITS, tolling, and connected vehicles, applauds the Federal Communications Commission for its decision yesterday to grant a waiver to the Joint Waiver Parties, allowing the deployment of cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology in the 5.895-5.925 GHz band ahead of final service rules.

The Joint Waiver Parties represent the breadth of the C-V2X ecosystem, including several automakers, state departments of transportation, and device manufacturers.  

“Yesterday’s action by the FCC to grant the waiver request is an important step toward the deployment of life-saving C-V2X technology in the United States” said Jason Conley, Executive Director of OmniAir Consortium.  “OmniAir’s independent, third-party testing and certification programs for C-V2X OBUs, RSUs, and modules will help to ensure that C-V2X devices are truly ready to deploy.”

OmniAir Certification and Conformance Testing Program for C-V2X radio devices helps to realize these “trusted communications” between the roadside infrastructure, vehicles, and other transportation users to enhance public safety. 

OmniAir launched the world’s first, and only full-stack, certification program for C-V2X (LTE-V2X PC5) radios in 2021.  OmniAir Certification helps to assure deployers of C-V2X technology that devices conform to industry standards and meet minimum interoperability and security requirements.

Next week, OmniAir Consortium will bring together C-V2X device manufacturers, test laboratories, and test equipment providers from around the world for the OmniAir Florida Plugfest.  This week-long testing event, hosted in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, and University of Florida Transportation Institute, offer rigorous testing for over 20 C-V2X devices laboratory and field environments to help ensure device readiness for deployment.

About OmniAir Consortium:

OmniAir Consortium is the leading industry association promoting interoperability and certification for ITS, tolling, and connected vehicles. OmniAir’s membership includes public agencies, private companies, research institutions, and independent test laboratories. Learn more about OmniAir at www.omniair.org.

Share this article

With less than 30 days until the start of OmniAir Florida Plugfest, testing plans are coming into focus. OmniAir Florida Plugfest, hosted in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, and the University of Florida Transportation Insitute, promises to be the largest, most comprehensive C-V2X testing event yet in North America.

Twenty cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) radios and modules from more than a dozen vendors will undergo a week of intensive lab, field, and security testing to help ensure that they are truly ready to deploy. Participating C-V2X device manufacturers include:

 CohdaWireless, Commsignia, Continental, Danlaw, Harman, Hitachi, HwaCom, iTtelecom, Iteris, Kapsch, Spoke, Unex, and Yunex Traffic.These devices will be paired with 15 different test stations, operated by leading wireless and transportation testing experts from around the world, including DEKRA, TTA, TÜV Rheinland Taiwan, the University of Florida Transportation Institute, Keysight Technologies/Nordsys, Leidos, Iteris, S.E.A. Datentechnik, NI, Wayties, INTEGRITY Security Services, Microsec, SaeSol Tech, and Blackberry.

Testing will take place in laboratory and field test environments at the world-class SunTrax Test Facility, featuring a 2.25-mile oval test track, urban test environments, 18 garage bays, and extensive indoor testing space.
“This event promises to be our largest, most comprehensive OmniAir Plugfest yet,” said Jason Conley, Executive Director of OmniAir Consortium. “Thanks to our strong partnership with FDOT, FTE, and UFTI, I am confident this will be our best OmniAir testing event yet.”

Although tickets for the testing portion of the event have SOLD OUT, there is still time to register for our May 3rd Connected Mobility Workshop, held in conjunction with Plugfest. In addition to a powerhouse lineup of speakers, the event will feature tours of Plugfest testing and the SunTrax facility, live demonstrations, and a reception.

For more information about OmniAir Florida Plugfest or the Connected Mobility Workshop, please visit our website or contact Ryan Hall.

Share this article