Look out for a man carrying sandwich boards which say “The end is nigh!” If you enjoy driving your car, he is already many steps in front of you. Be ready to hang up your driving gloves.
When governments can see there is money to be made from the new technologies, what do they do? Make it compulsory that you have to have a license for them. (Very similar to the license you need if you own a drone.)
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced that it has introduced new regulations to support intelligent transport systems (ITS), in the form of the Radio-communications (ITS) Class License 2017.
This was created following industry consultation, or so they say, the license will allow Australian road traffic authorities to roll out ITS that enable vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-person or vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, marking a crucial step in the eventual deployment of autonomous vehicles on the road.
The license will allow vehicles and roadside infrastructure to share data using a 5.9 GHz radio frequency band, which aligns with international developments.
Experts believe the increasing prevalence of connected and autonomous vehicles can lead to improved road safety, reduced traffic congestion, and positive environmental outcomes.
ITS encompasses a wide range of communications-based information technologies, both wireless and wired, that can be integrated into transport infrastructure and vehicles to transfer and share information.
Cooperative ITS technologies use wireless communications to transfer data over short distances between vehicles and roadside infrastructure, and can be used for a range of applications including monitoring and managing traffic flow, relieving traffic congestion, providing alternative routes to travellers and reducing the environmental impact of transport.
ACMA active chair James Cameron said the license would keep Australia on pace with other countries to be compatible with connected car technology.
“ITS are expected to make roads smarter, safer and cleaner through the use of communications technologies,” he said.
“The new Class License will facilitate the rollout of the latest transportation communications technology, putting Australia on par with other nations adopting ITS.”
The announcement follows the establishment of autonomous vehicle trial guidelines by the National Transport Commission in May that allows car-makers to conduct autonomous vehicle testing in Australia.
Yes, the electric autonomous car is just around the corner. And you will be able to be carried in one, as long as both you and the car have ITS licenses.
So don’t despair, there will be lots of opportunities after 2020. Start tooling up for ITS license holders, for example. However, I would avoid buying shares in any auto parts companies specializing in steering wheels!
