Will 'talking' cars reduce road accident deaths?, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will soon mandate the Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication system to enhance road safety.
• Draft Central Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026, were published on July 22, seeking public feedback on the V2V system.
• Vehicles manufactured on or after October 1, 2027, if fitted with V2V, must comply with Automotive Industry Standard-230 (AIS-230).
• All new vehicles (two-wheelers, three-wheelers, cars, buses, goods vehicles) manufactured on or after October 1, 2028, will be required to be fitted with V2V systems meeting AIS-230 specifications.
• The V2V system will utilize Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology in the 5.875 GHz to 5.925 GHz frequency band, which has been exempted from licensing requirements.
• On-Board Units (OBUs) for V2V are estimated to cost between Rs 5,000 and Rs 7,000 per vehicle.

V2V Communication.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The V2V system involves an On Board Unit (OBU) in vehicles that wirelessly exchanges real-time data like speed, position, direction, and acceleration with other vehicles.
• This system alerts drivers to potential hazards such as sudden braking, black spots, unsafe lane changes, parked vehicles, fog, or collision risks, typically within a 300-meter range.
• Unlike camera-based Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that rely on line of sight, V2V works beyond it, detecting hazards around blind corners or behind large vehicles.
• India faces significant road safety challenges, with 5,13,474 road accidents and 1,83,434 fatalities recorded in 2025, making such interventions crucial.
• AIS-230 specifies technical requirements for V2V systems, including radio performance, cybersecurity, communication security, and provisions for phased introduction of features like emergency brake alerts.
• The implementation of V2V technology raises privacy concerns due to the large amount of vehicle data stored, making it susceptible to cyber attacks.
• The concept draws parallels with aviation technology, where aircraft continuously broadcast their position, speed, and altitude to nearby aircraft and ground stations.
• The mandate will apply to vehicle categories L (two- and three-wheelers), M (cars, buses), and N (goods vehicles).

Key Concepts Involved:

• Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communication: A system allowing vehicles to wirelessly exchange data with each other to enhance safety and traffic efficiency.
• Automotive Industry Standard-230 (AIS-230): An Indian technical standard that specifies the minimum requirements for V2V communication systems in vehicles.
• Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X): A wireless communication technology that enables vehicles to communicate with other vehicles, infrastructure, pedestrians, and the network.
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Electronic systems in vehicles that use sensors and cameras to assist drivers with driving tasks and improve safety.