New US Gov Road Safety Plan Backs Vehicle-To-Everything Tech

The advancement of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) has enhanced the autonomous mobility industry. Vehicles can be controlled, managed and monitored through software applications and platforms, reducing the burden of manual processes while driving.

This includes managing functions from engine performance to entertainment systems.

Furthermore, they also enable vehicles to “talk” to each other, which becomes helpful in traffic. SDVs also form an important part of V2X or Vehicle-to-everything technology, which enables vehicles to talk to everything, from other vehicles to pedestrians and connected infrastructure.

This is why the US Department of Transportation is betting big on the technology in its latest project plan.

So, what did the United States federal agency reveal about its new plan? Let’s explore!
 

What Is The US Government’s Department Of Transportation’s New Road Safety Plan About?

 

• Through a news release published on its website, the US Department of Transportation AKA USDOT announced the release of its new road safety initiative titled Saving Lives with Connectivity: A Plan to Accelerate V2X Deployment.

• While the agency released a statement on its website, it also put out an updated and detailed version of the Plan, which was initially released in draft form for public comment in October 2023.

• The Plan comes as a part of the agency’s commitment to reducing deaths and serious injuries on US roadways.

• The idea is to bring the number of roadway fatalities to zero through a plan that includes the implementation of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies across the country.

• As for deployment, the agency aims to have the technology deployed across the National Highway System by 2036, which includes the top 75 metro areas having 85% of signalized intersections V2X enabled and V2X installed in 75% of the nation’s intersections operations.

• It also plans for 20 vehicle models being V2X capable and 6 OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) having 5.895-5.925 GHz capable production vehicles for safety use cases.

• The technology allows vehicles to communicate with each other through wirelessly exchanged messages, as well as surrounding roadside infrastructure such as traffic lights, lane markers, parking meters, road signs and more.

• This also includes communicating with pedestrians, cyclists, individuals with disabilities, other vulnerable road users and more.

• V2X technology includes vehicles that are equipped with wireless devices that exchange frequent, structured messages providing information such as relative speed, position and other relevant data, enabling 360-degree awareness.

• The goal is to foster a more safe, secure and efficient transportation system while maintaining privacy and consumer protection.

• V2X technology can also help in emergencies, exchanging information about potential risks in traffic situations or situations with poor or obstructed visibility, such as around corners or in dense fog.

• The move builds on the USDOT’s 2022 Safe System Approach and follows up on the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) awarding of $60 million in grants to advance connected and interoperable vehicle technologies (under the Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment program).

 

What Did US Government Officials Say?

 

• US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, said, “The Department has reached a key milestone today in laying out a national plan for the transportation industry that has the power to save lives and transform the way we travel.”

• [Contd.] “The Department recognizes the potential safety benefits of V2X, and this plan will move us closer to nationwide adoption of this technology.”

• Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and Chief Scientist Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, said, “The Plan was drafted and advanced with collaboration across public and private partnerships.”

• [Contd.] “It provides stakeholders with vital information to enable a safe, efficient, and sustainable transportation system through the national, widespread deployment of interoperable V2X technologies. The Plan will accelerate investment, research, and deployment in V2X ‘market certainty’.”

• Shailen Bhatt, Federal Highway Administrator, said, “The V2X national plan was made possible through collaborative effort between government, industry and stakeholders.”

• [Contd.] “The plan represents a call to action in providing a framework for all of us to continue to work together toward the same goal of accelerating V2X deployment to save lives on our nation’s roadways.”

Do you think this plan will help the US government reduce traffic accidents significantly if not to zero? Do you think other countries should make similar moves?

Let us know in the comments below!