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Connected Vehicle Safety Proving Successful

Structured clinics revealed the benefits and afterwards consumers overwhelmingly support the technology.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/658/RLC_crash.jpg

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 28, 2012

Technology to produce a whole lot less of this…

Connected Vehicle technology enables vehicles to "talk" to one another with Wi-Fi-and could help prevent crashes altogether.

Over 82% of drivers who have experienced Connected Vehicle technology that allows vehicles to communicate with each other have a highly favorable opinion of its safety benefits, according to a recent study published by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) together, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Research and Innovation Technology Administration (RITA).

The study results of six "driver acceptance clinics" pilot programs were held between August 2011 and January 2012 to gather feedback from 688 drivers who participated in tests of "vehicle-to-vehicle" communications. The information gathered from the program showed that an overwhelming majority of drivers would like to have the features included in their own vehicles, and most believe the technology would be useful in improving driver safety.

The driver clinics, the first phase of the Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot Program, were completed this past year to gather information on how drivers would interact with the technology. More than four out of five participants, or 82 percent, strongly agreed that they would like to have vehicle-to-vehicle safety features on their personal vehicle. In addition, more than 90 percent of the participants believed that a number of specific features of the connected vehicle technology would improve driving in the real world, including features alerting drivers about cars approaching an intersection, warning of possible forward collisions, and notifying drivers of cars changing lanes or moving into the driver's blind spot.

NHTSA and RITA will launch the yearlong second phase of the Connected Vehicle program this summer, during which approximately 3,000 equipped vehicles will test crash-avoidance technologies that include in-vehicle forward-collision warnings, "do not pass" alerts, and warnings that a vehicle ahead has stopped suddenly.

RITA Acting Administrator Gregory D. Winfree:

Quote:

"Intelligent Transportation Systems are the future of driver, roadway and vehicle safety. The body of research going on across the country today shows that the life-saving potential for safety technologies that enable communications between vehicles and the roadway infrastructure is too great to ignore. We want to build a solid foundation for the next generation of transportation through consistent standards, reliable technology, and policy work that ensures when the technology is ready; the general public will be ready as well."

Eight major automotive manufacturers that worked closely with the DOT on this research included: Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai-Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

The information collected from the Safety Pilot program will be used by NHTSA to determine by 2013 whether to proceed with additional vehicle-to-vehicle communication activities, including possible future rulemakings.

We have seen the systems in action and without any undue interference to your normal every day driving routine, they will prevent accidents and more importantly, save lives. So buckle up as the future is going to be “Connected” in ways you may never have dreamed of before.