From the U.S. Government Accountability Office, www.gao.gov

Transcript for: Connected Vehicle Technology and Spectrum

Description: 
 
  The Department of Transportation estimates that automobile crashes
caused 42,915 fatalities in 2021, the highest number for any year since
2006. According to DOT, CV technologies that enable radio communication
among vehicles and roadway infrastructure could significantly reduce
crashes while also improving traffic efficiency. A recent repurposing of
some of the spectrum that had been set aside for connected vehicles
raised questions about whether and how this technology can work on a
larger scale.
 
Related GAO Works: GAO-23-105069.  Connected Vehicles: Additional DOT
Information Could help Stakeholders Manage Spectrum Availability
Challenges and New Rules 

Released: November 2022

[ GAO's Andrew Von Ah, Director, Physical Infrastructure, narrating ] 

[ Andrew Von Ah: ]

  Car crashes caused over 35,000 deaths in the United States every year.
The Department of Transportation thinks that connected vehicle
technologies could help avert about 80% of crashes where the driver is
not impaired, potentially saving many lives. 
  
  Connected vehicles use radio frequency spectrum to wirelessly
communicate with each other and with infrastructure to show drivers
hazards they wouldn't otherwise see. These vehicles can receive
notifications about nearby pedestrians and bikers, do not pass warnings
if there's oncoming traffic, and more. 
  
  Pilot projects in a few states have demonstrated connected vehicle
technologies in a real world setting. A recent repurposing of some of
the spectrum that had been set aside for connected vehicles raised
questions about whether and how this technology can work on a larger
scale. 
  
  The Department of Transportation and the transportation industry are
looking into the issue. Learn more about connected vehicle technologies
at GAO.gov.

[ End ]

For more info, check out our report GAO-23-105069 at GAO.gov.