Travelers’ Information Stations are able to broadcast any...

the low-power AM stations, often advertised on road signs. The rule changes “clarify” or “modestly expand the operating parameters of TIS” and will also “remove confusion about what type of content is permissible on the TIS, thus improving administrative efficiency for ... both the Commission and TIS licensees,” the order said. “These changes can lower costs and increase the effectiveness of this important public service,” said an FCC spokesperson. The agency had asked for comments on possibly expanding the role of the TIS to broadcasting other kinds of noncommercial content. The order said the agency decided not to “dilute” the TIS role of being dedicated to travel and emergency information. “We agree with the majority of commenters who believe that TIS should retain its historical focus on serving the needs of the traveling public,” said the order. Along with clarifying TIS content, the commission removed rules that barred TIS stations from simulcasting. Now, simulcasting or “ribboning” is allowed, “requiring only that simulcast TIS transmissions be relevant to travelers in the vicinity of each transmitter in the network,” the order said. The agency also issued a further NPRM requesting comment on a proposal to delete rules requiring the filtering of TIS audio frequencies above 3 kHz, which it said decreases the audibility of TIS broadcasts “while adding little to the interference protection of commercial broadcasters."