DOT Proposes Rule for All Cars to Communicate with Each Other by 2023
Rule could prevent hundreds of thousands of crashes per year
The U.S. Department of Transportation proposed a rule that would require all new cars to come equipped with technologies for communicating with other vehicles on the road. If enacted, the rule would go into full effect in 2023.
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Using dedicated short range communications technology, vehicles would be able to transmit information about their location, speed, braking, and direction to other cars. In turn, the vehicles would also receive information about surrounding cars. Through this communication, vehicles can identify possible crash situations and warn other drivers on the road. The DOT says that this "vehicle-to-vehicle" technology can also aid in crashes that couldn't be prevented by current camera or sensor-based safety technologies, thanks to radio signals that provide 360-degrees of coverage and the ability to "see" around corners and through other cars.
This technology is sure to raise privacy concerns, but the DOT says the regulations would require privacy and security controls for the communication devices. "V2V technology does not involve the exchange of information linked to or, as a practical matter, linkable to an individual," the agency says.
Back in 2014, the DOT started work on a the proposal and announced its intention to accelerate V2V technology. After a public comment period of 90 days, the agency will be able to make a final decision on the matter. The DOT estimates a final rule could be issued in 2019, and the regulations would be phased in starting in 2021. All new vehicles will have to comply by 2023.
Although not included in the proposed rule, the DOT is also working to advance vehicle-to-infrastructure communications. The agency will soon issue guidance to transportation planners on technologies that would allow cars to "talk" with traffic lights to help curb congestion.
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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