Home > News > TCA releases discussion paper: Towards a national vision for a secure, connected future through cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS)

TCA releases discussion paper: Towards a national vision for a secure, connected future through cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS)

13 September 2016

Transport Certification Australia (TCA) has today released a discussion paper focussing on future security in the adoption and development of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS).

C-ITS enable real-time wireless communication between vehicles, roadside infrastructure, mobile devices and back-office systems.

TCA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Koniditsiotis said “C-ITS promise to deliver improved safety and efficiency outcomes through the introduction of connected and automated vehicles.”

“Our paper is intended to inform, provoke discussion, illuminate issues and contribute to the development of a national vision for C-ITS.”

The paper is aimed at governments, policy makers, industry stakeholders and anyone interested in the future shape of the automotive and transport sectors, to contribute towards a C-ITS environment that works safely, securely and seamlessly.

The paper includes 52 foundational requirements for a national Cooperative Credential Management System (CCMS) – the security solution for C-ITS – being considered and developed internationally.

“Critically, the paper articulates why security has as much to do with reimagining, and getting the most out of, our transport network, as with preparing for changes that are rapidly approaching,” Mr Koniditsiotis said.

The paper also highlights how there is a growing – and unprecedented – convergence of the physical and digital spheres.

“C-ITS are a critical part of the transformation occurring to our vehicles, roads, cities and technologies – including automated vehicles, smart cities and the Internet of Things (IoT).”

“As we move into a world where vehicles become computers on wheels, we need to establish new ways for ‘trust’ to be established between vehicles and all road users – not just drivers.”

“This is especially important for key, safety-critical applications – a warning about an impending crash hazard that does not work in real-time is useless. Similarly, a ‘fake’ warning is potentially just as dangerous as receiving no warning at all.”

“In other words, if the systems in the cooperative and connected environment cannot trust each other, then people cannot trust the systems.”

“Unless the necessary foundations are laid to provide assurance in the use of connected and automated vehicles, we may face the challenges of gaining public acceptance and cities that are not truly connected,” Mr Koniditsiotis said.

TCA is seeking feedback on the paper, and to the questions posed within.