Joint Council on Transit Wireless Communications

AASHTO Standing Committee on Public Transportation Multi-State Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) – Winter Meeting

David Cruise - Vice Chair Industry Committee

– Established in 2009 in response to results developed under the Transit Research Cooperative Program (TCRP) Project, C-18 Strategic Plan for Meeting Transit Industry Wireless Communications Needs.

– Developed through a collaborative effort with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), and other industry representatives.  

– Our mission is to assure that the transit industry wireless communications needs are continuously met through information sharing.

Joint Council on Transit Wireless Communications

Joint Council on Transit Wireless Communications

Issue #1Narrowbanding – Radio Services 150-512 MHz by January 1, 2013

754 Days and counting…..

Joint Council on Transit Wireless Communications

2-Way Voice CommunicationsVoice Communications is• Push-to-Talk (PTT) Radio• Dedicated for Public Safety Usage• 100% Reliability, with no delay and no down time• 100% Availability – Region-wide coverage including in building and underground• Interoperability with all disciplines

Narrowbanding Basics

Who is required to narrowband? All Public Safety and Industrial/Business

licensees in the 150-174 MHz (VHF) and 421-512 MHz (UHF) bands

What is required? By January 1, 2013, licensees must migrate

their systems from 25 kHz (wideband) to 12.5 kHz (narrowband) channel bandwidth or a technology that achieves equivalent efficiency

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Interim Deadline (January 1, 2011) New and expanded VHF/UHF systems must comply with 12.5 kHz standard

Final Deadline (January 1, 2013) All VHF/UHF systems must comply

with 12.5 kHz standard

Narrowbanding Timeline

1997 --12.5 kHz Equipment Becomes Available

2004 -- January 2013 Narrowbanding

Deadline Announced

1995 – Original Narrowbanding Rules Adopted

The Deadline Will Not Be Extended

The Commission has recently reaffirmed the January 1, 2013 deadline

Licensees facing unique circumstances may request waivers, but waiver requests must meet a high standard and are not routinely granted

Licensees concerned about meeting the deadline should focus on planning and preparation

Informal contact with the Bureau is encouraged prior to any filing

– Continuous outreach and information sharing to all members of the JC

– Developed a training course for the National Transit Institute (NTI) to inform agencies on narrowbanding. Courses available as Executive Overview via Webinar and single day course for agency staff. 

– Extensive outreach to the transit community at industry events and conferences.

– Actively work with the FCC on sharing information on current transit agency plans and progress.

– Next steps: Conducting a survey to obtain specific data.

Joint Council on Transit Wireless Communications

Issue #2

Broadband – LTE Broadband Communications in the 700 MHz band

Issue #3

Rebanding – Initiative to remove interference in the 800 MHz band by separating cellular systems and non-cellular systems.

Joint Council on Transit Wireless Communications

WPS Web Site

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Joint Council on Transit Wireless Communications

More Information Available at www.transitwireless.org

David Cruise – david.cruise@transitwireless.org