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DOT seeks connected vehicle device standardisation

The US Department of Transport (DOT) has suggested that it wants to see the introduction of a roadway system that will standardise the way connected vehicles on US roads communicate with each other in the future. The system, which the DOT describes as ‘a hypothetical four layer approach to connected vehicle devices and applications certification’, … Continued

The US Department of Transport (DOT) has suggested that it wants to see the introduction of a roadway system that will standardise the way connected vehicles on US roads communicate with each other in the future.

The system, which the DOT describes as ‘a hypothetical four layer approach to connected vehicle devices and applications certification’, would develop certification to ensure that different components of intelligent travel systems that are manufactured according to connected vehicle technology requirements will be able to connect, increasing the safety of US roads.

A spokesperson from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told Automotive World how DOT has worked through its Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for more than a decade and “have leveraged advanced technology to help to develop solutions that can transform the nation’s surface transportation safety, mobility, and environmental performance.”

The NHTSA spokesperson continued, “With the data we have been obtaining since the August 2012 launch of DOT’s Safety Pilot Model Deployment in Ann Arbor, we could be at the verge of just such a transformation. With this first-of-its-kind road test of connected vehicle technology and data from parallel research efforts, DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will have all of the critical information it needs to inform the agency’s decision on whether to proceed with additional activities including research, rulemaking or a combination of the two. In the meantime, DOT continues to work with its partners in other federal agencies, the automotive industry, and the wireless industry to pave the way toward the implementation and deployment of connected vehicle technology in the coming years.”

Connected vehicles

DOT’s suggestion follows the launch of a pilot under which nearly 3,000 cars, trucks and buses were equipped with connected Wi-Fi technology to enable vehicles and infrastructure to ‘talk’ to each other in real time to help avoid crashes and improve traffic flow. The trial, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is part of a year-long safety pilot project by DOT.

According to RITA, DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration, “The development and deployment of a fully connected transportation system that makes the most of multi-modal, transformational applications requires a robust, underlying technological platform. The platform is a combination of well-defined technologies, interfaces, and processes that, combined, ensure safe, stable, interoperable, reliable system operations that minimize risk and maximise opportunities.”

Just weeks ago,  the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also recommended that all OEMs adopt technology in their vehicles which would enable them to interact wirelessly with one another, and this technology would become necessary if the DOT’s recommendations are to take place in the near future.

It is not just the transportation department in the US that wants to introduce this safety technology. Statistics show 26% of the automotive industry agrees that adopting M2M technology will be at the core of successful businesses in the near future. The advantages for OEMs are vast, from generating revenue to differentiating themselves from the competition, meaning OEM support of the new proposals is very likely.

Ford is ahead in terms of technological safety advancements,  and has already launched its own connected device in its cars in the form of Emergency Assist, which works in the same way as eCall to automatically dial the 911 in case of an emergency. A spokesperson from Ford’s research & advanced engineering Europe told Automotive World, “M2M communication will be the key enabler for the next generation of driver assistance and active safety systems. Ford as well as other car manufacturers is actively contributing to these efforts. M2M communication based on mobile phone applications won’t be too far away.”

Rachel Boagey 

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