A draft report from an Indian government panel suggests that automakers incorporating advanced connectivity features in vehicles, enabling communication with other vehicles and external systems, could receive better crash test ratings. The aim is to enhance road safety in a country plagued by high accident rates. The recommendation would require automakers to equip connected cars with technology utilising airwaves to send warnings among drivers and communicate with road infrastructure such as traffic lights.

The 58-page draft highlights the challenges posed by non-line-of-sight scenarios, where conventional sensors often fail, and emphasises the significance of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology in filling this gap. The panel proposes the inclusion of V2X in India's Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) for car safety ratings, aligning with similar developments in Europe, China, and the United States. While Indian car manufacturers have initiated work on advanced connectivity features, a specific timeline has not yet been established.

India's congested roads, combined with challenges like livestock and pedestrians, contribute to a significant number of accidents annually. The country's road network witnessed 153,972 deaths in over 412,000 accidents in 2021. The draft report stresses the need for technology to address these challenges, given the limitations in infrastructure growth.

Unlike the current voluntary Bharat NCAP system, which assigns star ratings based on collision impact without mandating specific features, the proposed recommendation focuses on advanced technologies such as V2X. This technology, unlike existing sensors triggered by proximity, relies on a dedicated network to issue warnings, even covering long distances. Potential applications of V2X mentioned in the draft include weather warnings during fog or heavy rain and aiding navigation at blind intersections lacking clear lines of sight.

Furthermore, the report advocates for priority rules in allocating spectrum for connected car applications and the establishment of a multi-stakeholder task force to develop and enforce policies governing the implementation of V2X technology. The final decision on the implementation of these recommendations rests with the communication ministry and the road ministry, following a review of the draft report.

Source: Business Standard