U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) led a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues in calling on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to prioritize the implementation of connected vehicle technologies to make America’s roadways safer. In a letter, the senators shared their support for the DOT’s draft plan released earlier this year, which would accelerate
Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) deployment. C-V2X is an intelligent transportation system (ITS) technology that allows for data sharing between vehicles, roadside infrastructure, and nearby road users to enable various roadway safety and efficiency applications – including collision prevention, traffic signal priority for first responders or transit vehicles, and improved school bus safety.
“We join public and private transportation stakeholders in calling on the Department to elevate the deployment of connected vehicle technologies like Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (“C-V2X”) to a national priority,” the senators wrote. “Strong federal leadership from DOT in the rapid development and implementation of a C-V2X deployment plan will help achieve our mutual goals of eliminating traffic deaths and making America’s roads safer and more efficient for all users.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 42,795 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2022, staying consistent with 2021 figures which reflected the highest number of fatalities since 2005. NHTSA data also shows that vehicle-to-vehicle communication, such as C-V2X, could eliminate or mitigate the severity of up to 80 percent of non-impaired multi-vehicle light vehicle crashes.
“We support DOT’s commitment to make our roads safer for all users with the goal of achieving zero fatalities,” the senators continued. “Accomplishing this critical public safety objective will require DOT, other federal agencies, state and local partners, and other transportation stakeholders to adopt meaningful technology solutions, including deployment of C-V2X.”
Below are statements in support of the letter:
“INDOT supports and is utilizing connected vehicle technology to improve traffic safety. One of INDOT’s chief goals is to reduce serious injuries and fatalities across our transportation network. Embracing CV2X and other technologies will aid DOTs in addressing the country’s growing safety crisis in route to vision zero,” said INDOT Commissioner Michael Smith.
“Accelerating the deployment of C-V2X technology will support MDOT’s primary goal to improve safety for all road users,” said MDOT Director Bradley C. Wieferich. “Traffic crashes and fatalities are continuing to rise, and now more than ever we need to deploy every tool available to save lives. New vehicle technologies are improving driver safety every day, C-V2X could accelerate road safety beyond our expectations.”
“5GAA appreciates the support for C-V2X that Senator Peters and Senator Young have long championed as demonstrated with this letter to Transportation Secretary Buttigieg. We are delighted that several other Senators have joined them in encouraging the deployment of this critical safety technology on U.S. roads and highways. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the FCC, the NTIA as well as state and local DOTs to facilitate widespread deployment of C-V2X technology,” said John F. Kwant, Executive Director of the Americas, 5GAA.
“The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) strongly believes that vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies provide a singular opportunity to make roads safer, increase our global competitiveness, and create the modern transportation network all Americans deserve,” said Laura Chace, President and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America). “We are grateful for…
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