Before the end of 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made a significant decision regarding vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications technology. On November 20, 2023, NHTSA announced the withdrawal of its regulatory proposal that would have mandated V2V technology in newly manufactured light vehicles. This technology was designed to enable vehicles to continuously broadcast their location, speed, direction, and potentially even passenger counts via radio waves. NHTSA had previously indicated that it would assess the potential for regulatory action on V2V technology by the end of the year, but the agency ultimately decided that further analysis was necessary before proceeding with any new standards[1][5].
NHTSA Administrator David Strickland had earlier testified before Congress, stating that the agency would evaluate whether to advance V2V technology through regulatory measures or additional research. He emphasized that this technology represented a crucial step toward the evolution of automotive safety and automation. The agency envisions a future where vehicles are fully automated, relying on internal systems linked to external infrastructure for navigation and communication[1][2].
While NHTSA recognizes the potential benefits of V2V technology—such as enhanced safety, increased efficiency in transportation, and greater mobility for those unable to drive—there are concerns about privacy and government oversight. Critics argue that such systems could enable government tracking of individual vehicle movements and impose restrictions on personal travel based on various factors, including taxation or regulation[1][5].
In light of technological advancements, particularly the emergence of LTE Cellular-V2X (C-V2X) technology—which operates without needing a cell tower—NHTSA has indicated that it may reconsider its approach to vehicle communications. This shift follows a 2020 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision to reallocate portions of the 5.9 GHz spectrum traditionally used for Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC), which was initially favored for V2V applications. The FCC’s actions have prompted NHTSA to reassess its previous proposals in light of new technologies that may offer improved performance and reliability[1][5].
Despite withdrawing its proposal, NHTSA remains optimistic about the future of V2V and related technologies. The agency continues to monitor developments in this field and is committed to ensuring that any future regulatory frameworks prioritize both safety and privacy concerns as they evolve[1][5].
In the future according to Star Trek, you can ask the computer where anyone is at any given time. It seems we are headed for something like that. If you want location privacy in the future, good luck. You may have to build your own car … and stay off of star ships.
Read More
[1] https://www.asashop.org/2023/11/20/nhtsa-withdraws-vehicle-to-vehicle-communications-regulatory-proposal/
[2] https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2024-09/NPRM-pedestrian-head-protection-web-version.pdf
[3] https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/v2v_pria_12-12-16_clean.pdf
[4] https://www.interregs.com/articles/spotlight/310/the-national-highway-traffic-safety-administration-nhtsa-issue-a-notice-of-proposed-rulemaking-nprm-regarding-pedestrian-protection
[5] https://natlawreview.com/article/nhtsa-withdraws-proposed-rule-vehicle-vehicle-communications
[6] https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/readiness-of-v2v-technology-for-application-812014.pdf
[7] https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2024-02/research-connected-vehicle-technology-report-to-Congress-021524.pdf
1 comment
I think that this is going to be awesome. traffic could be more efficient and reduce our pollution with a little help from a quantum computer.