Summary: US NHTSA will likely require Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems for new light vehicles in 2017 to improve vehicle safety and decrease travel time. So far, we have seen very little discussion on how V2V will impact safety or convenience for cyclists and pedestrians. Although cyclist and pedestrian safety is rarely addressed in current V2V discussion, there are opportunities for improved safety for cyclists and pedestrians in V2V systems. Convenience for road users without connected technology, however, will possibly be sacrificed in a V2V world unless advocates speak up now.
In August 2014, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published an advance notice of a proposed rulemaking regarding Vehicle-To-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems. The NHTSA anticipates a new Federal standard that mandates V2V systems for new cars and light trucks beginning in the year 2017.