Special Report:  Review of Studies Add ressing Non-Technical Market Barriers to Intelligent Vehicle Deployment
IVsource.net
2 October 2003

IVsource publisher Richard Bishop recently completed this review of ongoing activities in Europe and the US that are addressing non-technical barriers to deployment and implementation of intelligent vehicle systems.  In Europe, the RESPONSE and INVENT projects are reviewed, and relevant ITS America activities in the US are reviewed.  Factors include items such as user acceptance, industry perception of risks and benefits, and liability/regulatory issues.

Review of Work Addressing Non-Technical Barriers to Intelligent Vehicle Deployment in the U.S. and Europe

Bishop / September 2003

I.  Introduction

This paper provides a synopsis of significant activity and studies that are occurring worldwide (primarily in Europe), in addressing non-technical barriers to market introduction of intelligent vehicle / driver assist systems.  There is a small amount of activity in the US through ITS America, and no known activity along these lines in Asia.

Four activities are reviewed.

First, the RESPONSE project, sponsored by the European Commission, is examining non-technical issues, with a focus on liability concerns.  By far the most in-depth and well-funded activity, RESPONSE is seeking to define legally robust definitions of “duty of care” in designing and testing IV systems, and “reasonable safety” with regard to system performance.

Secondly, liability issues being investigated in the German INVENT program are reviewed. The INVENT program is funded by the German Research Ministry and also has cost-shared participation by the major German car OEMs.

Thirdly, an excerpt from recent testimony by ITS America Board Chair Michael Walton provides some insight as to possible future directions that Congress might take.

Fourth, a project undertaken by the ITS America Automotive, Telecommunications, and Consumer Electronics Forum is addressing these issues, using the voluntary participation of industry experts.

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