U.S. Department of Transportation Proposes Mandatory 'Talking Car' Technology to Prevent Crashes
The United States Department of Transportation has proposed a rule that would require vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology in all new cars.
Vehicle-to-vehicle systems allow cars to communicate information to each other that could be used to update drivers about potential accidents, possibly reducing the number of crashes on U.S. roadways. The basic technology uses short-range radios to send and receive vehicle data on location, speed, direction, and braking status. While extremely useful in the application of autonomous driving technology, a lot of the potential safety applications resulting from V2V has not yet been conceived.
“Advanced vehicle technologies may well prove to be the silver bullet in saving lives on our roadways,” NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said in an official announcement. “V2V and automated vehicle technologies each hold great potential to make our roads safer, and when combined, their potential is untold.”
Early applications of the proposed system would revolve around currently available safety aids. Vehicles that contain automated driving functions — automatic braking or adaptive cruise control, for example — could further benefit from the use of V2V data.
The system could also provide drivers with enhanced abilities and complete situational awareness. For example, a driver could receive additional information to help them decide if it is safe to pass on a two-lane road, make a left turn across the path of oncoming traffic, or determine if a vehicle approaching an intersection appears to be on a collision course.
Of course, with the exchange of data comes the question of digital security. However, the proposal has considered personal privacy. The DOT says that no personal information about the driver or vehicle will be broadcast using V2V; the system only transmits generic safety information. Meanwhile the NHTSA is also working to ensure that the system is safe from digital attacks.
While the “rule” is only a proposal at the moment, the DOT has officially stated that it intends to make the technology a requirement on new light-vehicles. The notice of proposed rulemaking will be open for public comment for 90 days. Then, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will review and alter the proposal before issuing a final ruling.
[Image: State Farm]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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>The system could also provide drivers with enhanced abilities and complete situational awareness. Providing the dumbed-down driving populace with situational awareness abilities sounds like the ultimate oxymoron.
While we're at it can we please incorporate a way for my car to tell the car in front of it that the light is now green and please get a move on.