Department of Transportation Outlining Next Generation 9-1-1

By the 1970s, major cities, such as Chicago, were providing first responders access to the location of emergency calls. The system has changed very little since. However, the telephone wire infrastructure that the 9-1-1 system is based on has become increasingly outdated as technology has brought new forms of communication, such as cell phones, text messaging, and even Internet-based communications that include photographic, video and voice communication. 

Stepping in to update this system, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has developed the Next Generation 9-1-1 Initiative, a research and development project that aims to develop the technical architecture and a transition plan to move emergency 9-1-1 into the 21^st century. The project is a complex effort that requires, not only identifying technical requirements, but also determining how these upgrades will be funded.

DOT is working with private and public stakeholders to consider all aspects — responsibilities, costs, schedules and benefits — for deploying a new system. 

From a technical standpoint, DOT must develop the technology framework to ensure local emergency responders can receive wireless and Internet communications of all forms. This includes vocal communication, as well as video, photo and text. Text messaging is particularly important as the hearing impaired population has widely adopted the technology, and the teletypewriter system — the only text-based technology available at most public safety answering points (PSAPs) — is seen as archaic by the hearing impaired community. 

Another technical challenge for DOT is ensuring that calls are routed to the closest PSAP and provide accurate information about the whereabouts of the emergency caller. With cell phones and Internet-based communications, pinpointing the location of an emergency message can be difficult and raises privacy concerns.

Once the technical architecture is developed, DOT will focus on the challenges of implementing this new framework. For local officials, a major concern of implementation will be funding the new system. But identifying how to fund implementation of service upgrades is just the beginning.

The current model for funding PSAPs has become as outmoded as much of its technology. Traditionally, localities assess fees on subscribers to local phone services to fund emergency 9-1-1 systems. With the adoption of cellular technology and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), communication vendors provided money to the states, which, in turn distributed funds to localities.

This fee assessment model has its limits, though. Assessing fees on new communication technologies is problematic as people move away from fixed-fee services and toward portable identifiers such as e-mail addresses and online aliases for instant messaging and online phone systems like Skype.

DOT is currently working with stakeholders on developing proposed system architecture for the new technologies. The agency plans to finalize the technical aspect by the end of the summer and begin working with stakeholders on implementation concerns early in the fall.

NLC is monitoring DOT’s efforts to find an equitable funding solution.