NHTSA chief supports new auto technology

NHTSA chief supports new auto technology

NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said last week that the agency wants to encourage new technology such as autonomous and connected vehicles. –NHTSA is not interested in erecting roadblocks to safety innovations,” he said at the Automated Vehicle Symposium in Ann Arbor.

DOT aims to have a proposal to require vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications in new vehicles ready for agency review by the end of the year. But Rosekind emphasized that safety should be the priority. –I would encourage all of you, in your discussions with NHTSA on how the agency can encourage innovation: Put safety first, and bring the data.”

Cybersecurity and privacy must also be high priorities, Rosekind said. NHTSA is working with security experts to design and test a security system for V2V transmissions. He praised automakersê recent announcement that they had formed an Information Sharing and Analysis Center to fight security threats.

Rosekind also talked about testing for potential spectrum sharing and interference with V2V radio signals. He said DOT is fine with sharing the spectrum as long as safety is not compromised. But testing to ensure safety is critical.

In a session with reporters in Detroit, Rosekind addressed the question of forward collision warning systems, which some observers had previously said NHTSA may mandate. But he said the agency will instead revise its NCAP (New Car Assessment Program).