NEW YORK --- A new report from ABI Research concludes that some OEMs plan to introduce products incorporating Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) before the establishment of a national standard and infrastructure for the technology. Formal test plans are progressing pretty much on schedule, but the major players are eager to start rolling out some product to the marketplace, largely because of the technology's prospects for passing along safety and traffic information, the report said. Improved traffic flow will also have the benefit of improving fuel consumption by reducing the amount of time drivers spend idling in traffic jams. "The worldwide government focus on improving safety and reducing fatalities will drive early implementations that will have limited functionality," said David Alexander, ABI Research principal analyst. "Once the basic infrastructure and a significant number of vehicles are equipped, new applications are expected to emerge that will accelerate the implementation of DSRC." The bandwidth and exclusivity of DSRC frequency bands will make it a preferred medium for safety applications such as intersection collision avoidance and advanced warning systems. Real-time traffic information is the next benefit, providing the automakers potential for enhancing the value of their built-in navigation systems. Municipalities and other organizations responsible for traffic flow have expressed support for DSRC, the report noted. Wi-Fi and cellular-based services, as well as custom systems for emergency responders, will continue to grow in the automotive space, and the challenge for the future will be to integrate with DSRC to provide seamless service for road users, the report said. The new ABI Research report, "Dedicated Short-Range Communications," provides an overview of the current status of the technology being rolled out, and an assessment of when it will be implemented.