Feds Push for Mandatory Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing a new rule that will make vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology mandatory on light vehicles and it could be in place by 2020. 

V2V communication allows cars to transmit information to each other such as location, speed and steering information. NHTSA says this link could help to prevent hundreds of thousands crashes each year.

A NHTSA spokesperson told that it usually takes about a year before a proposed rule can be pushed into law. If it does become a law, a two year phase-in period begin, consisting of half of new vehicles needing the technology in the first year, 75 percent in the second year and all cars getting it from the third year on.

Back in 2014, NHTSA began accelerating its work on V2V technology and gave an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking. The new rule will make sure that every vehicle has V2V technology that speaks the same standard language, a standard which will have to be decided on by the industry.

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Vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications are also in the works at the Federal Highway Administration, which will see the agency install roadways, traffic lights, stop signs and work zones that will be able to communicate with the passing traffic. Once fully implemented, NHTSA thinks that V2V and V2I communication together will be able to prevent 80 percent of non-impaired crashes.

Privacy concerns will also be addressed according to NHTSA, saying that V2V will not send information that is linked to an individual.

“We are carrying the ball as far as we can to realize the potential of transportation technology to save lives,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This long promised V2V rule is the next step in that progression.  Once deployed, V2V will provide 360-degree situational awareness on the road and will help us enhance vehicle safety.”

The notice of proposed rulemaking will now be opened for public comment for 90 days.