Skip to main content

NTSB urges standards for connected vehicles

In response to fatal school bus accidents at intersections in New Jersey and Florida last year, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended that the government should set performance standards for new safety technology that allows cars and trucks to talk to each other and then require the technology be installed in all new vehicles. Vehicles equipped with the technology can continuously communicate over wireless networks, exchanging information on location, direction and speed ten tim
July 24, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
In response to fatal school bus accidents at intersections in New Jersey and Florida last year, the US 5628 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended that the government should set performance standards for new safety technology that allows cars and trucks to talk to each other and then require the technology be installed in all new vehicles.

Vehicles equipped with the technology can continuously communicate over wireless networks, exchanging information on location, direction and speed ten times a second. The vehicle's computer analyses the information and issues danger warnings to drivers, often before they can see the other vehicle.

The 834 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been road-testing the technology, which is effective up to a range of about 1,000 feet, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the past year. NHTSA officials have said they hope to make a decision on whether to proceed to setting standards or whether to continue their research by the end of this year.

"This technology more than anything else holds great promise to protect lives and prevent injuries," NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman said. That was particularly true of crashes at intersections like the two school bus accidents, she added.

Related Content

  • Seminar urges the use of smart road technologies in Oman
    May 24, 2013
    The recent Smart Road Technologies seminar in Oman discussed the development of transportation systems, not just the construction of new roads or infrastructure renovation, but also the use of information technology to link elements within the road system - vehicles, roads, traffic lights, message signs, among others – using intelligent technology to enable them to communicate with each other via wireless technologies. The seminar was held as part of the Digital Nation series of seminars organised by Knowle
  • ITS Australia: used vehicle imports ‘a risk to safety’
    October 31, 2014
    Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Australia has highlighted the risks to Australian transport safety that would be created by allowing parallel new vehicle and used vehicle imports. The warning is part of ITS Australia’s submission to the Federal Government 2014 Review of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989. Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Jamie Briggs’ terms of reference for the 2014 Review emphasises “ . . . reducing regulatory burden (red tape) on business . . .” and whether the Ac
  • Giving pedestrians more time at lights will reduce injuries: report
    July 28, 2025
    7-second 'head start' has significant impact, say Columbia University researchers
  • Real time GPS tracking on school buses drives efficiencies
    January 25, 2012
    Application of real time GPS tracking to school buses is driving operational efficiencies and allowing parents to follow their childern's movements, report Jason Barnes