MEMA Supports Proposed Rule to Require V2V Communications in New Vehicles

MEMA has supported a federal proposal to require vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications in all new passenger vehicles. In its comments to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), MEMA indicated that suppliers are invested in and prepared for a connected vehicle environment -- and a critical component of that is V2V communications.
 
“As the leading trade association representing more than 1,000 companies in the mobility industry, MEMA applauds the U.S. Department of Transportation for taking this important step forward in making V2V communications a reality,” said MEMA President and CEO Steve Handschuh. “Suppliers are committed to vehicle safety and are key developers of the technologies needed to avoid and mitigate crashes. V2V technology is one of the critical components to enhance vehicle safety by eliminating and reducing fatalities and injuries on U.S. roadways.”
 
NHTSA’s proposed rule would establish a new federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) No. 150 such that V2V communication capability would be required on all new light vehicles to allow the exchange of standardized Basic Safety Message (BSMs) with surrounding vehicles. This allows similarly equipped vehicles to “see” and “talk” to each other.
 
Suppliers of both light and heavy vehicle components and systems are very actively engaged in multiple cooperative activities. They have provided significant resources towards academic and industry research projects, and government-industry joint endeavors. This includes, but is not limited to, the Crash Avoidance Metrics Partnership (CAMP), the U.S. DOT Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS-JPO), various safety pilot driver clinics and academic research projects and the NHTSA Connected Vehicles Safety Pilot Project. Suppliers are also key participants and collaborators in various standards development activities, like with SAE International.
 
MEMA reinforced the importance of deploying currently available technology, like Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC), of retaining the 5.9 GHz spectrum for intelligent transportation systems, and of interoperability and security.
 
“[A]lthough potential V2V technology alternatives may become available at some undefined point in the future, deployment of a 5.9 GHz, DSRC V2V system is critical to achieve the next level of vehicle safety enhancements necessary to reduce fatalities on U.S. roadways today,” MEMA’s submitted comments state. “This technology is well understood and has been rigorously tested in real-world conditions by our vehicle supplier members and their original equipment manufacturer customers.”
 
In its comments, MEMA also addressed the importance of NHTSA’s research on heavy vehicles and indicated that suppliers would like to see the agency complete its research work and decide on next steps for V2V for heavy vehicles as soon as possible. Additionally, MEMA described how aftermarket devices have a role in overall deployment, and agreed with the agency that they must be certified to the same performance requirements under the FMVSS.
 
For questions about the MEMA comments, please contact Brian Daugherty or Leigh Merino.