How V2V Technology Will Make Driving More Safe

This is How V2V Technology Will Make Driving More Safe

It's not talked about much. It's actually not even in mainstream consciousness. But there's a potential change coming that to all vehicles that has nothing to do with self-driving technology, if you can believe it. So what is it? It's known as V2V Technology, and it has the potential to drastically reduce or even eliminate vehicle accidents and collisions.

What's V2V Technology?

V2V Technology, which stands for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Technology, is a technology that has been created for the sole purpose of allowing vehicles to be able to communicate with one another through a wireless ad hoc network.

How Does V2V Technology Work?

Through having dedicated short-range communication radios, also known as DSRC radios, vehicles will essentially be able to "talk" with one another, which would allow for crash prevention.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), V2V communications systems will be able to, through the use of DSRC, exchange information without other nearby vehicles about:

• Location;
• Speed;
• Direction;
• Braking Status.

This will allow other vehicles equipped with this technology to be able to send a warning, if needed, to a vehicle for crash prevention purposes. Considering that 94 percent of vehicles crashes are due to human error, V2V technology can be of significant help.

The Advantages of V2V Technology

V2V technology has many benefits over existing driver assist systems and semi-autonomous vehicles, which are:

• It has a range of 1,000 to 1,500 feet, which is greater than the distance that ultrasonic sensors, radar, and cameras can see/detect;
• It can provide warnings earlier as a result of this range;
• Since it uses radio messages, it can essentially see around corners and the vehicles in front of it, which is useful, for example, in intersections;
• It can also work well in harsh weather conditions, rather than having its sensors or camera lens affected as with driver assist systems.

V2V technology will be able to compliment and enhance existing on-vehicle sensors.

V2V Technology Will Most Likely Become Mandatory

The NHTSA has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would require manufacturers to install DSRC radios in new light vehicles starting in around 2020. If it passes, it'll be known as Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 150). This proposal will also set a standard that all vehicles equipped with V2V technology will have to follow, in addition to various privacy and security measures.

Of course, V2V technology can also be equipped on larger vehicles, such as buses and trucks, as well.

The Future of Road Travel is Bright

V2V technology, if it does become standard in all future vehicles, will be a major step forward in making our roads much safer in the United States. When combined with all of the innovative and rapidly-advancing safety warning and autonomous systems that are being developed for vehicles, we might soon see a major reduction in preventable accidents.

For more information on V2V technology, please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.