The ITU is the UN’s next-gen V2X initiative to reduce vulnerable road user (VRU) injuries and fatalities; FISITA is proud to play a supporting role, represented by Remi Bastien, Stephane Buffat, and Russ Shields
The United Nations (UN) agency for information and communication technologies (ICT) is preparing the requirements for the next generation of vehicular communication for the period 2030–2060, with FISITA providing input from the automotive engineering perspective.
In support of this, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – the UN’s ICT agency – invited the automotive industry to participate in the development of the requirements. FISITA, the global alliance of automotive engineers, is a co-chair of the UN ITU expert group on next-generation vehicular communication to enhance road safety.
The work of the ITU involves gathering real-world data and developing automotive industry requirements for the telecoms industry, with a timeline designed to facilitate a proposal for future generations of telecommunications by the end of 2026 to allow the new standards to be ready for 2032.
From 1G to 5G – and beyond
In November 2023, the use of 78-81 GHz for automotive radar was approved at the World Radio Conference (WRC) (www.itu.int/wrc-23). At the same WRC, a question relating to intelligent transport systems (ITS) was approved (see itu.int/pub/R-QUE-SG05.264).
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – the United Nations (UN) agency for information and communication technologies (ICT) – is preparing the next generation of vehicular communication for the period 2030–2060
Another, Question ITU-R 264/5, was approved, covering ITS studies, including connected automated vehicles and future applications. The current V2X spectrum (5.9 GHz) was established 27 years ago during the first generation (1G) of mobile phones (cell phones), when 6 GHz was the highest spectrum that could be considered for vehicles. Question ITU-R 264/5 addresses the spectrum for vehicle communications in the period 2030–2060.
In parallel, the UN World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) has created the Task Force on Vehicular Communications (TF on VC). The TF on VC is exploring possible automotive regulations on vehicular communications after 2030.
To support the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) experts working on Question ITU-R 264/5, FISITA and the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) created the Expert Group on Communications Technology for Automated Driving (EG-ComAD) (see www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/extcoop/cits/egcomad/Pages/default.aspx). EG-ComAD is tasked with providing the automotive requirements for vehicle communications in the period 2030–2060. This is a unique opportunity for the automotive industry to raise the requirement for a wider spectrum range allowing more accurate functions that involve several vehicles and therefore dramatically improve road safety.
Three ITU working groups
To this end, EG-ComAD has created three working groups, led by FISITA and OICA, tasked with delivering recommendations by the end of 2026.
The first, WG1, focuses on future automated systems, primarily to ease highway merging situations. WG1 is led by OICA. This activity is considered to be one of the most difficult future vehicle communication applications.
The ITU initiative provides the automotive sector with a valuable platform to influence the advancement of V2X technology and advocate for an expanded spectrum allocation
The second, WG2, addresses the protection of vulnerable road users (VRUs), which is also the current focus of the FISITA Intelligent Safety Expert Group. VRU protection is regarded by the UN as one of the highest volume future vehicle communication applications. This will be achieved by leveraging the next generation of V2X to improve automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems. WG2 is chaired by FISITA, represented by Dr Stéphane Buffat, Expert Leader Road Safety at Renault and Director of Laboratory of Accidentology, Biomechanics and human behaviour (LAB), the joint road safety initiative established by Renault Group and Stellantis; Dr Buffat is supported by vice chair Mei Hongye, of Chongqing Changan Automobile Company Ltd.
The third, WG3, is led by OICA and addresses the question of sustainable technologies to ensure the technical sustainability of vehicle functions, especially those related to safety, regardless of how communication protocols evolve over the coming decades. Launched in October 2025, WG3 is creating the requirements for sustainable automotive communications, including reconciling the life of communications technologies with the useful life of vehicles. The group is co-chaired by Jan Luehman (OICA) and Remi Bastien (FISITA).
An open invitation to automotive experts
The ITU initiative provides the automotive sector with a valuable platform to influence the advancement of V2X technology and advocate for an expanded spectrum allocation. The most effective way to accomplish this is by gathering input from top automotive industry experts, particularly those specialising in ADS systems.
All three groups aim to deliver a technical report by the end of 2026; these high-level requirements will then feed into the ITU-R’s work on the definition of standards for the next generation of V2X. Intermediate reports will be shared by mid-2026, and a final report is planned for December 2026.
Automotive experts (those focused on vehicle technology, rather than communications technology) from FISITA member companies are invited to join EG-ComAD and contribute to its working groups. A mailing list is also available. For more information, please contact [email protected].
To learn more about the work of FISITA in the UN ITU, please contact Remi Bastien [email protected] or Dr Stephane Buffat [email protected]
About the authors
Remi Bastien is Strategic Advisor to the CEO, FISITA
Stephane Buffat is Expert Leader in road safety for the Renault Group, and Director, Laboratory of Accidentology, Biomechanics and human behaviour (LAB), a joint initiative formed by Stellantis and Renault Group
Russ Shields chairs the ITU Collaboration on ITS Communication Standards and represents the ITU at the UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29)