FEDERALhearing transcript

Senate Hearing on Using 'Internet of Things' Technology for Transportation

Original title: HOW THE INTERNET OF THINGS CAN BRING U.S. TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE INTO THE 21ST CENTURY

January 1, 2016

transportation infrastructure internet of things technology policy transportation safety

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing explored the potential for federal policy to integrate smart technology into national infrastructure, which could influence future government spending on road, bridge, and transit maintenance.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

U.S. Department of Transportation

The agency is responsible for implementing transportation policy and would oversee the integration of new IoT technologies into national infrastructure.

Technology and Infrastructure Corporations

Companies like Intel, AECOM, and C.H. Robinson are involved in developing the hardware and software solutions that would be deployed under these proposed strategies.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2016.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The Senate held a hearing on June 28, 2016, to discuss how 'Internet of Things' (IoT) technology can improve U.S. transportation and infrastructure. The discussion focused on using interconnected devices to reduce traffic congestion, improve shipping efficiency, and monitor the safety of roads, rails, and pipelines.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on June 28, 2016, in the Russell Senate Office Building.
The Subcommittee discussed the 'DIGIT Act' (Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Act), introduced in March 2016.
The DIGIT Act aims to create a nationwide strategy to encourage the development of Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
IoT technology is proposed as a tool to alleviate road congestion and reduce shipping delays at ports.
IoT sensors are proposed for monitoring the safety of rail and pipeline infrastructure.
Data from interconnected networks is intended to help policymakers prioritize road and bridge maintenance spending.
The hearing included testimony from representatives of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Intel Corporation, AECOM, and C.H. Robinson.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'Internet of Things' in the context of transportation?

It refers to a network of interconnected devices and sensors that collect and share data to improve the efficiency and safety of transportation systems like roads, bridges, and shipping ports.

What is the DIGIT Act?

The Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Act is bipartisan legislation intended to establish a national strategy for the development and integration of IoT technology.

Why It Matters

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Early Federal IoT Strategy

The document highlights a 2016 effort to formalize a national strategy for IoT, marking an early federal push to integrate smart-city technology into national infrastructure policy.

Deb Fischer Cory Booker

Connected Entities

personSeleta Reynolds“General Manager, Los Angeles Department of Transportation”Map →

personDeb Fischer“Chairman of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation”Map →

personCarlos Monje, Jr.“Acting Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy”Map →

personCory Booker“Ranking Member of the Subcommittee”Map →

personDoug Davis“Senior Vice President, Intel Corporation”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance40
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz10
Current news / social attention level

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