5.0 Findings and Conclusions
This study has examined the feasibility and potential benefits of installing high-speed telecommunications backbone along interstate highway rights-of-way. The findings of the study do not provide a “one-size-fits-all” recommendation as to whether such deployment should take place, or the specific methods of the deployment. The existing availability of HST infrastructure, including both public and private infrastructure, varies across and even within corridors. Some States already are undertaking initiatives to expand HST deployment. Others have policies discouraging or prohibiting the use of interstate highway right-of-way for utilities including telecommunications. The potential market for HST services and the resulting benefits of deployment also vary across the corridors. Furthermore, specific design and engineering issues have not yet been investigated, or potential costs determined; these will be addressed in the subsequent Report to States.
Despite these disparate findings, a number of general conclusions can be drawn from the results of the study to date:
- Expanded HST deployment in each corridor could potentially lead to significant benefits, including benefits to State transportation agencies and the traveling public, as well as general benefits to residents of rural communities in each corridor through economic development, improved health care and education opportunities, and enhanced quality of life. Rural areas are lagging in broadband adoption compared to urban areas, and as a result are failing to reap the benefits provided by HST services.
- No single technology will provide the solution to HST needs in all rural corridors. Fiber optics, wireless, or a hybrid of the two technologies may be most appropriate depending on the specific conditions and needs within each corridor.
- The Federal Government must continue to play an active role if the full benefits of HST deployment are to be realized. A precedent exists for such involvement through the development of policies at both the legislative and executive level, as well as programs such as the Rural Development Utilities Program and Universal Service Access Fund. Federal leadership is especially critical to establish a framework that will promote creative approaches to multistate deployment without imposing unnecessary new requirements. DOT could provide technical assistance and/or incentives for States to enter into multistate agreements and public-private partnerships.
- The most direct benefits will be to transportation agencies, for whom public-access HST along the highway corridors will support a set of advanced traffic management applications that will enhance mobility and safety. Additional benefits to rural communities will be realized only if the HST backbone is deployed in such a way that it spurs additional local public- and/or private-sector investment in providing HST connections to end users. This will require the creation of public-private partnerships so that private sector providers have access to the HST backbone infrastructure. Fortunately, precedent for successful public-private partnerships exists.
- Individual States execute laws and policies that may limit the deployment of a corridor-wide communications backbone. Absent Federal law or regulations this condition will in all likelihood continue to persist.
- Infrastructure deployment can be greatly facilitated by the establishment of uniform design guidelines and standards. The Department of Transportation and AASHTO can revisit current policies and guidelines regarding HST implementation to address new issues stemming from advanced communications technology.
- A substantial national fiber backbone system already exists between major metropolitan areas due to prior private sector investments, and thus opportunities for resource-sharing agreements for new fiber capacity are limited. In areas where backbone capacity already exists, the provision of additional backbone services along interstate highways will only benefit communities if access is provided at a cost low enough to induce additional private-sector investment in “last-mile” connections. An optimal strategy will rely on public-private partnerships to make use of existing infrastructure and to promote investment in new infrastructure only where it is needed.
- States also have a strong potential interest and role in deploying HST in interstate highway corridors. Congestion and incident management is not just an urban issue. Congestion relief through ITS implementation (e.g., at border crossings) is to some extent contingent on availability of HST. However, State DOTs generally do not have resources readily available for major investments in HST. Supplemental funding will be required to build out communications infrastructure for future public applications in cooperation with the private sector. Especially where existing private-sector backbone capacity is limited, State DOTs would be well advised to recognize and take advantage of the potential value of their property to the private sector by offering consistent rules of access.
- An HST backbone along an interstate highway corridor provides benefit to all State functions and to the State as a whole, not just to transportation interests.
- The private sector is a critically important partner in any HST deployment initiative, not only for providing last-mile connections and potential financial support, but also for maintaining and operating the system. The way that State DOTs are currently constituted and operated, oriented primarily toward capital construction, presents a challenge for deploying and maintaining telecommunications capabilities. Telecommunication entities with State oversight are better able to manage telecommunications resources and to keep up with the rapidly changing technology.
- Looking toward the future, Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) could establish the need for a nationwide communications backbone that uses interstate highway corridors. The USDOT is continuing to work with States and other stakeholders to determine whether such an opportunity exists and what appropriate governance models can be applied.
