Click here or on the image above to view and download video from today’s hearing.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) chaired a hearing of the Commerce Subcommittee entitled “How the Internet of Things (IoT) Can Bring U.S. Transportation and Infrastructure into the 21st Century.” The hearing explored how businesses and government use new technologies, including the Internet of Things, to enhance the efficiency of infrastructure and transportation across the country. Senator Fischer released the following statement after today’s hearing:

“This morning, our committee explored how the Internet of Things can improve American transportation. From alleviating road congestion and reducing shipping delays to monitoring rail and pipeline safety, there are endless opportunities to utilize this new technology. By passing common sense legislation like the bipartisan DIGIT Act, Congress can promote innovation and empower both consumers and businesses to tap into the potential of this growing, global network.”

Today’s hearing featured testimony from Carlos Monje, Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Seleta Reynolds, General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Jordan Kass, President of Managed Services for C.H. Robinson, Doug Davis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Internet of Things Group at Intel Corporation, and Dr. Robert Edelstein, Senior Vice President of AECOM.

Senator Fischer is a leader in the Senate on policies related to the Internet of Things. In March, she joined U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) to introduce the Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act. The bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission to issue a notice of inquiry assessing the spectrum needs required to support the Internet of Things. It would also convene a working group of both federal and private entity stakeholders that would provide recommendations to Congress. These recommendations would focus on how to plan for and encourage the growth of the Internet of Things in the United States. The DIGIT Act was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee in April 2016. 

Click here to learn more about the DIGIT Act. 
Click here to learn more about the multi-year highway bill: the FAST Act.

# # #