Wireless connectivity to reduce collisions on test in US

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced that the University of Michigan will conduct a road safety field trial using innovative technology equipment in everyday vehicles in a real-time environment.

This advanced technology will be tested in a major study over the course of a year, and may help significantly reduce the number of vehicle crashes.

The Safety Pilot will include the installation of wireless devices in up to 3,000 vehicles in one location to evaluate the effectiveness of connected vehicle technology to prevent crashes.

During the pilot, drivers will be alerted to impending dangers in real-time so they can take action to avoid crashes. DOT will collect data from the vehicles in order to understand how different types of motorists respond to safety messages.

"This test will be an important step towards the U.S. Department of Transportation's top priority – a safer transportation system," said Peter Appel, administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration. "Technology is an investment in the future and this pilot deployment of vehicles that 'see' and 'talk' with one another with the help of wireless communication will allow us to learn how drivers use electronic alerts to avoid crashes in a real-world environment."

"We envision connected vehicle technology as a platform to save many lives on America's roads, and foster innovations we've yet to imagine - a game-changer for vehicle safety," said National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Administrator David Strickland. "When completed, the pilot will demonstrate first-hand how connected vehicles communicate in the real world, bringing us a step closer to what could be the next major safety breakthrough."