By Kyla Stewart
Looking back, it's hard to believe that cars have only existed for the past 130 years, with consumer adoption taking place during the past century. Since then, motor vehicles have constantly been evolving, with innovators finding creative solutions to problems before they occur.
Connected vehicle technology is one of the most recent innovations disrupting how we drive. Here's what you need to know about connected vehicle technology and the benefits it offers to drivers and manufacturers.
What is Connected Vehicle Technology?
Connected vehicle technology is the use of short-range communication via a wireless network to help vehicles detect obstacles and dangers in their surroundings. If you have a car that notifies you when another car is on your blindspot or an obstacle is behind you as you back up, you're getting a small taste of what connected vehicle technology will offer. Autonomous or self-driving cars also rely on this technology.
As this technology evolves, vehicles can detect one another regardless of make, model, and purpose. For example, with connected vehicle technology at DMI, a car at an intersection with an autonomous car and public transportation bus will detect both. Furthermore, the car would also detect the stoplights, the building next to it, and the pedestrian waiting to cross.
The goal of connected vehicle technology is also to interact with mobile devices on the network via the Internet of Things (IoT). This connectivity is on par with smart home technology and how phones, lights, appliances, etc., interact with home assistants like Google and Alexa. All communications transmitted by a vehicle are anonymous for security purposes.
Benefit One: Safety
The overarching benefit of connected vehicle technology is its impacts on safety. According to research funded by the US Department of Transportation, the implementation of CVT could reduce fatal motor vehicle crashes by 13% over the next decade as adoption rates increase. There are approximately 35,000 MVA fatalities in the USA annually, with accidents being one of the leading causes of child death.
Connected vehicles provide awareness of the area surrounding the vehicle, even when the driver can't see an obstacle. Alerts are designed to improve reaction time and help anticipate and avoid potential accidents to reduce injuries and improve safety for everyone on the road.
Benefit Two: Efficiency and Mobility
Prior to the pandemic, Americans spent an average of 2.5 weeks sitting in traffic over the course of a year. While this number dropped by 50% during the pandemic, it's expected to rebound as people return to work.
In addition to reducing accidents, CVT will also provide details about open parking spaces and shorter routes to optimize everyone's travel time. Ideally, those who spent so much time sitting in traffic can use the 2.5 weeks for sitting on a tropical beach.
Benefit Three: Sustainability
Sustainability and green initiatives are also revolutionizing travel. With rising gas prices and the introduction of electric vehicles, sustainability is top of mind.
There's a direct correlation between time spent in traffic and greenhouse emissions. Carbon emissions from vehicles account for 27% of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. In addition to minimizing idling time, CVT will also help optimize routes and manage speed, dramatically reducing carbon output.
Benefit Four: Cost Savings
Finally, CVT offers cost savings for everyone. Consumers will directly benefit from fewer accidents, which reduces repair and medical costs. CVT will also help minimize gas consumption. Indirectly, fewer accidents and better efficiency also reduce the loss of income. Eventually, consumers should be able to negotiate their insurance rates on the premise of CVT.
While technology and evolution can seem intimidating, the benefits speak for themselves. CVT will continue to revolutionize how we travel and make the roads smoother and safer for all.
Kyla is a former content writer, who decided to start her own blogging site and become a digital nomad. She managed to create a platform where all her previous clients are gathered - so they can merge and learn from each other! Her main motto is “sharing is caring” and her goal is to see the world from different perspectives!
