Car-to-car communication safety priority
U.S. auto-safety regulators on Tuesday proposed new rules requiring automakers to adopt crash-avoidance technology that allows all new vehicles to communicate with each other in a move that could accelerate self-driving cars.
The requirement of so-called vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity — or V2V — on all consumer vehicles within about five years is viewed as central to the development of a new age of cars that can avoid accidents by wirelessly monitoring each other.
The move marks a concrete step by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration toward its goal of eliminating roadway deaths within 30 years.
“Today’s announcement is another step in our continuing effort to improve safety and advanced innovation,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx told reporters in a conference call. “What V2V does is give drivers 360-degree awareness to avoid collisions.”
The proposed rule comes in the 11th hour of the Obama administration, rendering it susceptible to quick counteraction by the Trump administration. The president-elect has not displayed misgivings about the prospects of autonomous cars, so the vehicle-to-vehicle technology could move full speed ahead, although he has pledged to abolish various government regulations.
“I obviously can’t speak for the next administration but I can say from a safety perspective this is a no- brainer,” Foxx said.
NHTSA said that before the end of the Obama administration it would also issue proposed guidance on systems that allow vehicles to communicate with road infrastructure, such as stop lights, which would improve traffic flow and safety. Together, the agency believes that vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure technology could eliminate or greatly reduce the seriousness of up to 80 percent of crashes that don’t involve driver impairment.
NHTSA said it would accept public comment for 90 days and thereafter consider altering the regulation accordingly.
Foxx said the rule could take about a year to take effect, after which it would require automakers to comply on 50 percent of their new vehicles within two years and 100 percent within four years.
“We certainly understand that there are many, many stakeholders in the automobile industry who believe this rule is essential to creating the kind of environment where all of the players are on the same page,” Foxx said.
The Washington, D.C.-based industry lobbying group Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said it would review the new rule, but hinted that it may back it.
“V2V systems can provide another form of information about other vehicles or road hazards at greater distances and around corners,” the alliance said in a statement.
V2V technology uses short-range radio communication to allow vehicles to identify each other’s speed, location, direction and acceleration or braking, within a radius of about 300 yards.
NHTSA pledged that the technology would not divulge any personal information regarding drivers.
The new rule would apply only to consumer vehicles for now, but the agency said it believes the technology has tremendous potential for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Whether you’re planning a trip or are in the middle of one, it points you to more than 500 of the best places to eat, play and stay around the state. You’ll find top 10 lists for spas, casinos, wineries and more. All the items were chosen by
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