The Cost in Fatalities, Injuries and Crashes Associated with Waiting to Deploy Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication

Abstract

Today, the auto industry is ready to deploy vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication-based safety systems employing proven technology and well-developed standards. In fact, the readiness entails more than just V2V, but potentially vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, where everything (X) can include communication with other vehicles, the roadway infrastructure, and vulnerable road users.The purpose of this white paper is not to assess the strength or weaknesses of either DSRC or C-V2X technology. Rather it is to investigate and quantify the lost opportunities to prevent light-vehicle crashes by waiting for the development and implementation of CV2X as opposed to mandating DSRC now in the form of FMVSS 150. The focus on V2V crashes, as opposed to all crashes, is based on significant levels of uncertainty associated with the deployment of infrastructure-based hardware and/or small-cell networks that would be required for either DSRC or C-V2X technologies to address many of the single vehicle crash types.