NHTSA misses own deadlines on US connected car and AEB rules
US safety regulators failed to decide on mandatory vehicle-to-vehicle communication and automatic emergency braking by the end of 2013, leaving automakers waiting on federal direction.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did not meet its own end-of-2013 deadlines to decide whether to mandate advanced safety technologies for new vehicles, including automatic emergency braking and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication. The agency had previously indicated it would announce its position by 31 December 2013, but no decision was published by that date.
NHTSA’s review focused on whether to require all new vehicles to include technology allowing them to “talk” to each other wirelessly, warning drivers or even intervening automatically to prevent collisions. This vehicle-to-vehicle communication was the subject of a large-scale pilot involving 3,000 cars in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which concluded in 2013. The agency was also considering whether to require automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems, which can detect and help avoid frontal crashes without driver input.
Potential safety and congestion benefits
NHTSA has estimated that V2V communication could help prevent up to 80% of light-vehicle crashes involving unimpaired drivers. The agency has also cited the potential for such technology to reduce congestion, noting that traffic delays cost the US economy $88 billion each year and waste 2.8 billion gallons of fuel. Automatic emergency braking, already offered on some models, is seen as a key step towards reducing rear-end collisions and improving overall road safety.
Implications for automakers and timeline
Without a decision from NHTSA, automakers lack federal guidance on whether and when to invest in fitting V2V and AEB as standard equipment. Even if the agency moves forward, the regulatory process would require public consultation and drafting, followed by a lead-in period. Industry sources expected that any new requirements would not apply before the 2017 model year at the earliest, giving manufacturers at least 18 months to comply once rules are finalised.
The delay has left both technology suppliers and carmakers in a holding pattern, with uncertainty over future investment and development priorities. Some manufacturers have already introduced AEB and other advanced driver-assistance systems on higher-end models, but a federal mandate would require broader rollout and standardisation across the US market.
Next steps for US vehicle safety regulation
NHTSA stated that it had made progress in evaluating the best approach for V2V and AEB rules, and expected to announce its decision in the coming weeks. The agency’s eventual position will shape not only future safety standards but also the pace of adoption for connected-car technologies in the US. For now, the lack of a clear mandate means further delays for both industry planning and potential safety benefits for drivers.
