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ITU COUNCIL 2025

ITU Radio Aspects of ITS and Smart Mobility

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The ITU-R plays a crucial role in shaping the future of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and Smart Mobility. Through its dedicated working parties, ITU-R addresses various aspects of land mobile services, including those related to ITS, Connected Automated Vehicles (CAV) and Smart Mobility, such as frequency arrangements, technology requirements, interface standardization, etc. for ITS communications. ITU-R WP 5A is also addressing railway systems.​

​Main ITS drivers in ITU-R

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      ​​​ITU​-R’s WP 5A and WP 5D each perform distinct roles while working ​ together in a                              complementary manner to advance Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and Smart Mobility.

​Key Activities ​

Frequency Arrangements and Harmonization

System c​​​​haracteristics & compatibility studies

Use Cases and System Deployment

Interface Standardization

Integration of IMT and ITS

​Studies on related trends

Frequency Arrangements and Harmonization

  • Recommendation ITU-R M.2121 – Harmonization of freque​ncy bands for Intelligent Transport Systems in the mobile service ​(12/2023, WP 5A)
    This Recommendation provides guidance on harmonized frequency bands to be used by intelligent transport systems (ITS) pertaining to the exchange of information to improve traffic management and to assist safe driving. The Recommendation encourages administrations to use harmonized frequency bands (5 850-5 925 MHz, or parts thereof) throughout the ITU-R Regions for those ITS applications.
  • ​​​Recommendation ITU-R M.1036* – Frequency arrangements for implementation of the terrestrial component of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in the bands identified for IMT in the Radio Regulations​ (12/2023, WP 5D)​
    This Recommendation provides guidance on the selection of transmitting and receiving frequency arrangements for the terrestrial component of IMT systems as well as the arrangements themselves, with a view to assisting administrations on spectrum-related technical issues relevant to the implementation and use of the terrestrial component of IMT in the bands identified in the Radio Regulations (RR). The frequency arrangements are recommended from the point of view of enabling the most effective and efficient use of the spectrum to deliver IMT services – while minimizing the impact on other systems or services in these bands – and facilitating the growth of IMT systems.

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    * application no limited to ITS​
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System characteristics and compatibility studies

  • Recommendation ITU-R M.2057​ – Systems characteristics of automotive radars operating in the frequency band 76-81 GHz for intelligent transport systems applications (01/2018, WP 5A) ​​​
    This Recommendation specifies the system characteristics of automotive radars operating under the radiolocation service in the frequency band 76-81 GHz. These technical and operational characteristics should be used in compatibility studies between automotive radars operating in the radiolocation service and systems operating in other services.
  • ​​​Report ITU-R M.2322​ – Systems characteristics and compatibility of automotive radars operating in the frequency band 77.5-78 GHz for sharing studies (11/2014, WP 5A)
    This report focuses on studies related to spectrum sharing and compatibility in the 77.5-78 GHz frequency band. It examines: i) sharing studies and regulatory solutions for allocating this band to radiolocation services, considering existing users; ii) compatibility with services in adjacent frequency bands; and iii) the spectrum needs, operational characteristics, and potential benefits of harmonizing Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) safety-related applications globally or regionally.
  • ​​​Recommendation ITU-R M.1452​ – Millimetre wave vehicular collision avoidance radars and radiocommunication systems for intelligent transport system applications (05/2012, WP 5A)
    This Recommendation provides system requirements, technical and operational characteristics of millimetre wave radiocommunication systems for intelligent transport system applications to be used for system design objectives. The Recommendation covers vehicular collision avoidance radar operating in the 76-77 GHz and 77-81 GHz bands, as well as integrated millimetre wave radiocommunication systems for ITS applications in the 57-66 GHz range for vehicle-to-vehicle radiocommunications and radiocommunications between the vehicle and roadside infrastructure.

Use Cases and System Deployment

  • Report ITU-R M.2441 – ​Emerging usage of the terrestrial component of International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT) – (11/2018, WP 5D​​)​​​
    This Report is a compilation document on existing and new usage of International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT) in specific applications. Further, it introduces potential new emerging applications of IMT in areas beyond traditional voice, data and entertainment type communications. It is provided as a reference document on these important uses of IMT, as envisaged in the vision for IMT-2020. ​​ ​​

    Report ITU-R M.2445 – ​Intelligent t​ransport systems (ITS) usage (11/2018, WP 5A)​​
    This Report addresses the usages of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) radiocommunication applications, such as vehicle-to-infrastructure, vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-pedestrian communications for traffic safety related and traffic efficiency applications as well as electronic tolling systems and automotive radars for collision avoidance.
  • ​​Recommendation ITU-R M.1890 – Operational radiocommunication objectives and requirements for advanced Intelligent Transport Systems (01/2019, WP 5A)​​
    This Recommendation provides operational radiocommunication objectives and requirements for intelligent transport systems (ITS), including evolving ITS. ITS utilize a combination of technologies such as computers, telecommunications, positioning, and automation to improve the safety, management, efficiency, usability and environmental sustainability of terrestrial transportation systems. ​ ​​
  • Report ITU-R M.2444 – Examples of arrangements for Intelligent Transport Systems deployments under the mobile service ​(9/2023, WP 5A)
    This Report provides examples of arrangements for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) deployments in certain regions and countries to assist Administrations in their planning for deployment of ITS within their jurisdictions

Interface Standardization

  • Recommendation ITU-R M.2084 – Radio interface standards of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure two-way communications for Intelligent Transport System applications (11/2019, WP 5A)
    This Recommendation identifies specific radio interface standards of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications for Intelligent Transport System applications. The technical characteristics described in this Recommendation are based on current Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) applications in the mobile service. ​

    Recommendation ITU-R M.2150* – Detailed specifications of the terrestrial radio interfaces of International Mobile Telecommunications-2020 (IMT-2020) (02/2021, WP 5D) ​
    This Recommendation identifies and provides the detailed specifications of the radio interfaces for the terrestrial component of IMT-2020 and provides the detailed radio interface specifications. These radio interface specifications detail the feature and parameters of IMT-2020. IMT-2020 enables worldwide compatibility, international roaming, and access to the services under diverse usage scenarios, including eMBB, mMTC and URLLC. IMT systems provide various specific applications to facilitate development of the digital economy, e.g. e-manufacturing, e-agriculture, e-health, intelligent transport systems, smart city and traffic control, etc. and they also support PPDR. ​
  • ​​​Recommendation ITU-R M.1453​ – Intelligent transport systems – Dedicated short-range communications at 5.8 GHz (06/2005, WP 5A) ​​
    This Recommendation outlines the technologies and characteristics for dedicated short range communications (DSRC) in the 5.8 GHz band. This Recommendation includes an active (transceiver) method and a backscatter (transponder) method as DSRC technologies available for intelligent transport systems (ITS). This Recommendation further includes a DSRC-application sub-layer (DSRC-ASL) which allows for multiple DSRC applications and IP-based (Internet protocol) network applications. The technical and operational characteristics of both methods and the DSRC-ASL are described.​

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    * application no limited to ITS​

Integration of IMT and ITS

  • Report ITU-R M.2520 – ​Use of the terrestrial component of IMT for the Cellular-Vehicle-to-Everything (11/2022, WP 5D) 
    This report explores the relationship between IMT technologies in terrestrial networks and Cellular-Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X), highlighting how IMT functions support various V2X use cases. It focuses on the capabilities of IMT technologies available to mobile network users for V2X support and addresses situations without network coverage. The report covers V2X use cases supported by IMT, the necessary characteristics of terrestrial networks, and the connection between IMT technologies and C-V2X. Additionally, it includes a case study on V2X use cases in different scenarios supported by eMBB, mMTC, and URLLC.
  • Recommendation ITU-R M.2160* – ​Framework and overall objectives of the future development of IMT for 2030 and beyond (11/2023, WP 5D) ​​​
    This Recommendation describes a framework and overall objectives for the development of the terrestrial component of Inter​national Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) for 2030 and beyond (IMT-2030). IMT is expected to continue to better serve the needs of the networked society, for both developed and developing countries in the future.​

    In this Recommendation, the framework of the development of IMT-2030, including a broad variety of capabilities associated with envisaged usage scenarios, is described. Furthermore, this Recommendation addresses the objectives for the development of IMT-2030, which includes further enhancement and evolution of existing IMT. Aspects of interworking with other networks are also addressed.​

     

    ​In the ITU-R section and explicitly quote capability 6 (“Mobility”): “Maximum speed, at which a defined QoS and seamless transfer between radio nodes which may belong to different layers and/or radio access technologies (multi-layer/multi-RAT) can be achieved. The research target of mobility could be 500 – 1 000 km/h”.

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    * application no limited to ITS​​

Studies on related trends

  • Report ITU-R M.2228 – Advanced intelligent transport systems (ITS) radiocommunications (07/2015, WP 5A) ​ ​​​
    This report highlights the growing importance of advanced ITS radiocommunications in enhancing traffic safety and reducing environmental impact by the transportation sector. It provides a comprehensive overview of the key characteristics, requirements, and potential applications of these technologies. ​​​​

    ​​​Report ITU-R M.2534​ – Connected Automated Vehicles (09/2023, WP 5A) ​
    This Report provides Connected Automated Vehicle (CAV) terminology, descriptions of radiocommunication methods and radiocommunication systems for CAV, as well as radiocommunication requirements and initial spectrum needs for CAV. The status of global development of CAV is also included. The scope of this Report is focused on the ad hoc, short range radiocommunication for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) among vehicles, and among vehicles and infrastructure. The cellular network connectivity aspects are covered in more detail in Report ITU-R M.2520.​​ ​​​
  • ​​​Report ITU-R M.2516 – Future Technology Trends of terrestrial IMT systems towards 2030 and beyond (11/2022, WP 5D) ​​
    This Report provides a broad view of future technical aspects of terrestrial IMT systems considering the time frame up to 2030 and beyond, characterized with respect to key emerging services, applications trends and relevant driving factors. Technologies described in this Report are collections of potential technology enablers which may be applied in the future. It comprises a toolbox of technological enablers for terrestrial IMT systems, including the evolution of IMT through advances in technology and their deployment. This Report does not preclude the adoption of any other existing technologies and emerging technologies expected in the future.​​​​
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​Key Deliverables

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ITU-R Recommendations

  • ​​Recommendation ITU-R M.1036* – Frequency arrangements for implementation of the terrestrial component of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in the bands identified for IMT in the Radio Regulations​ (12/2023, WP 5D)​
  • Recommendation ITU-R M.1452​ – Millimetre wave vehicular collision avoidance radars and radiocommunication systems for intelligent transport system applications (05/2012, WP 5A)
  • Recommendation ITU-R M.1453​ – Intelligent transport systems - Dedicated short-range communications at 5.8 GHz (06/2005, WP 5A) ​​
  • Recommendation ITU-R M.1890​ – Operational radiocommunication objectives and requirements for advanced Intelligent Transport Systems (01/2019, WP 5A)​
  • Recommendation ITU-R M.2057​​ – Systems characteristics of automotive radars operating in the frequency band 76-81 GHz for intelligent transport systems applications (01/2018, WP 5A) ​​​
  • ​​​​​​​Recommendation ITU-R M.2084​ – Radio interface standards of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure two-way communications for Intelligent Transport System applications (11/2019, WP 5A)
  • Recommendation ITU-R M.2121​ – Harmonization of freque​ncy bands for Intelligent Transport Systems in the mobile service ​(12/2023, WP 5A)
  • Recommendation ITU-R M.2150* – Detailed specifications of the terrestrial radio interfaces of International Mobile Telecommunications-2020 (IMT-2020) (02/2021, WP 5D) ​
  • Recommendation ITU-R M.2160* ​– ​Framework and overall objectives of the future development of IMT for 2030 and beyond (11/2023, WP 5D) ​​​
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* ​These Recommendations are of general nature for IMT frequency bands and not only related to ITS

ITU-R Reports

  • Report ITU-R M.2228​ – Advanced intelligent transport systems (ITS) radiocommunications (07/2015, WP 5A) ​
  • Report ITU-R M.2322​​ – Systems characteristics and compatibility of automotive radars operating in the frequency band 77.5-78 GHz for sharing studies (11/2014, WP 5A)​
  • ​​Report ITU-R M.2441​ – ​Emerging usage of the terrestrial component of International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT) – (11/2018, WP 5D​​)​​​
  • ​Report ITU-R M.2444 – Examples of arrangements for Intelligent Transport Systems deployments under the mobile service ​(9/2023, WP 5A)
  • Report ITU-R M.2445​ – ​Intelligent t​ransport systems (ITS) usage (11/2018, WP 5A)​
  • ​​​Report ITU-R M.2516​ – Future Technology Trends of terrestrial IMT systems towards 2030 and beyond (11/2022, WP 5D) ​​
  • Report ITU-R M.2520 – ​Use of the terrestrial component of IMT for the Cellular-Vehicle-to-Everything (11/2022, WP 5D)
  • Report ITU-R M.2534​​ – Connected Automated Vehicles (09/2023, WP 5A) ​

Handbook

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​​This Volume of the Handbook provides a summary of the use of wireless communications in intelligent transport systems (ITS), current and under development, around the globe. This is a rapidly developing sector, still partly in its infancy, and this publication is representative of the time where it was produced. It 4 covers ITS application, system and communication architecture, as well as radio technologies and radio frequency usage for ITS systems, in addition to national and international standards.

Deliverables related to railway systems
  • Report ITU-R M.2395​​ – Introduction to railway communication systems​
  • ​Report ITU-R M.2418​​ – Description of Railway Radiocommunication Systems between Train and Trackside (RSTT)
  • Report ITU-R M.2442​​ – Current and future usage of railway radiocommunication systems between train and trackside​​​​

Ongoing Questions

Question ITU-R 264/5​  – Studies related to Intelligent Transport Systems, including Connected Automated Vehicles and future applications​

1 For ITS in general:

– What are the radiocommunication and spectrum requirements for ITS services and functional elements that might benefit from international standardization, and to what extent can the evolving mobile telecommunications systems be used to deliver ITS services? ​

2 In particular, for ITS applications to CAV: ​

– What are the radiocommunication and spectrum requirements, including broadband and/or low-latency radiocommunication connectivity, and operational characteristics of the radiocommunication systems that are capable of supporting CAV?
 – What are the interworking requirements for ad-hoc direct radiocommunication with cellular-network connected radiocommunication to deliver ITS applications to CAV, both in an efficient and sustainable manner?

​3 For the future and other ITS applications beyond decides 1 and 2 above: ​

– What a​re the objectives, use cases, radiocommunication and spectrum requirements, technical and operational issues, including safe operation, associated with future and emerging applications used for ITS, including CAV? ​

 

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