What public officials need to know about connected vehicles.

Briggs, Valerie · 2012 · ROSA P / United States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Innovative Technology Administration

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Summary

This document outlines the potential of connected vehicle technology to transform surface transportation by enhancing safety, mobility, and environmental sustainability. The primary motivation is the shift from a reactive paradigm, focused on surviving crashes, to a proactive one that prevents them. Connected vehicles utilize wireless communications to create an interoperable network among cars, buses, trucks, trains, traffic signals, and personal devices. This system aims to significantly reduce the high number of fatalities and injuries associated with motor vehicle crashes, which remain a leading cause of death for individuals aged 3 through 34. The technology relies on Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), a secure, fast, and interference-resistant protocol similar to Wi-Fi. It facilitates two primary types of communication: Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I). V2V allows vehicles to exchange anonymous data regarding position, speed, and location, providing drivers with 360-degree awareness of surrounding threats. V2I enables vehicles to communicate with roadside infrastructure, such as traffic signals and work zones, to receive alerts about hazards like icy roads or changing lights. The system is designed to be secure against tampering and protects user privacy by ensuring transmitted data is anonymous. The document cites National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data indicating that wireless communications could address approximately 80 percent of crash scenarios involving non-impaired drivers, with V2I potentially resolving an additional 12 percent of crash types. Beyond safety, the technology offers mobility benefits by reducing congestion caused by crashes and providing real-time travel information. Environmental benefits include reduced fuel waste and greenhouse gas emissions, as the transportation sector accounts for 27 percent of U.S. emissions. By optimizing traffic flow and enabling eco-friendly route choices, connected vehicles can help curb local pollution and improve air quality. To support future policy decisions, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) conducted the Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot Program. This included driver clinics at six sites to assess user acceptance and a model deployment in Ann Arbor, Michigan, involving approximately 3,000 vehicles equipped with V2V and V2I devices. This real-world test aimed to evaluate performance, human factors, and safety benefits in a multimodal environment. The findings from these pilots inform NHTSA’s anticipated agency decision by 2013 regarding the future deployment of the technology, which may include mandatory installation, voluntary adoption, or further research. The initiative involves multiple federal agencies and aims to establish standards for a nationwide network that enhances the quality of life and safety for all Americans.

Key finding

Wireless vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications could address approximately 80 percent of crash scenarios involving non-impaired drivers.

Methodology

other

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• v2x connected vehicle