Vehicle to Vehicle Communications (V2V) is a compelling piece of new automotive technology that has interested industry insiders for years. And now one of these interested parties is none other than the Department of Transportation, who has recently unveiled a proposal to make V2V technology available in nearly all future car models.
The DOT's proposal will be an analysis of its findings in areas such as privacy, preliminary cost estimates and overall feasibility plus the ANPRM-wing of the DOT will be looking at public input as the departments work to make this technology a regulatory requirement for automakers.
The report makes its case by analyzing two crash scenarios (Left Turn Assist and Intersection Movement Assist), and the safety benefits that the V2V tech should offer. According to the DOT, nearly 1,100 people a year would be saved by adding the V2V system to autos as it would prevent the more than 590,000 crashes that result from these two scenarios.
"By warning drivers of imminent danger, V2V technology has the potential to dramatically improve highway safety," said NHTSA Deputy Administrator David Friedman. "V2V technology is ready to move toward implementation and this report highlights the work NHTSA and DOT are doing to bring this technology and its great safety benefits into the nation's light vehicle fleet."
The DOT and NHTSA are hoping to be able to infuse the V2V tech with existing safety systems already embedded in most vehicles with only a $350 uptick in overall car price (which should fall back to normal once the system ages up a bit).
Overall, this sounds like a great piece of new tech, and it's great to see the DOT taking such an interest in innovative, life-saving technologies.
We'll probably be hearing even more about this in the coming weeks as the ANPRM starts seeking out public opinions, so keep those ears perked for when you could by that brand-new Sonata that can literally talk to the Elantra right next to it while driving down the I-10.
