H.R. 910: The Vehicle-to Infrastructure Safety Technology Investment Flexibility Act of 2015

WASHINGTON - Since its introduction, U.S. Representative Candice Miller's (MI-10) proposed vehicle-to-infrastructure legislation, H.R. 910 the Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Safety Technology Investment Flexibility Act of 2015, has gained nation-wide support. Additionally on June 3rd, Senator Gary Peters introduced Senate companion legislation.

The Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Safety Technology Investment Flexibility Act (H.R. 910):

• For the first time, defines V2I technology in Title 23 to provide a uniform definition for legislative and regulatory purposes;
• Clarifies that states may utilize existing surface transportation funding provided by the National Highway Performance Program (NHPP), the Surface Transportation Program (STP), and the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) to invest in V2I projects that improve road safety.

Industry Endorsements

American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC)

“Vehicle-to-infrastructure communication technology is critical for the domestic auto industry, and the future of highway safety and mobility. For the first time, V2I technology is acknowledged and uniformly defined to provide for a legislative and regulatory path forward. It is important that the legislation also clarifies that states may utilize existing surface transportation funding provided by the National Highway Performance Program (NHPP), the Surface Transportation Program (STP), and the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) to invest in V2I projects as the technology becomes a more available and viable element of critical highway infrastructure.” 

2/17/15 - Governor Matt Blunt, AAPC President

Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS) 
“We support this critical legislation because it will provide States with the flexibility to choose vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) safety technologies from select programs within the Federal-aid Highway Program to connect vehicles with our transportation infrastructure, thereby vastly improving safety while optimizing road capacity.   As you know, V2I technology represents the future of road safety with vehicle-to-infrastructure communications devices to be embedded within or alongside roads and/or attached to bridges, traffic signals, stop signs, utility poles, etc.  V2I testing has already showcased a number of specific safety applications such as intersection collision prevention, lane departure warning and rail grade crossing safety systems as well as the ability to improve traffic flow by linking vehicles to variably timed traffic signals.  In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has determined that V2I safety technology alone could potentially address 25 percent of all crashes of all vehicle types and, that at full penetration with vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian-and-bicyclist communications (V2X), could avoid or mitigate 80 percent of all unimpaired vehicle crashes, thereby saving tens of thousands of lives annually and reducing the nearly $1 trillion cost to our nation’s economy each year.”

2/19/15 - Thomas Kerns, Interim President and CEO of ITS

vRide
“Our nation’s infrastructure is in jeopardy. We have unending needs and limited resources. In order to stay competitive, we must invest our transportation funds wisely. Technology will play a critical role in addressing our transportation needs. Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) technology helps make our roads less congested, safer and more efficient. HR 910 presents a common sense solution that will help to define V2I technology and clarify eligibility within the Federal-Aid Highway programs… Legislation like HR 910 can only help to expand and proliferate technologies that we can use to make our service safer and more efficient.”

2/20/15 - Jon W. Martz, Vice President of Government Relations

Carma
"Carma, the nation’s premier provider for mobility solutions, would like to express support for HR 910 the ‘Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Safety Technology Investment Flexibility Act of 2015’. Technology and innovation will play a critical role in making our roads safer, less congested, and more reliable. No one knows this better than the people of Carma." 

2/13/15 - Paul Steinberg, Vice President of Carma

Association for Commuter Transportation
"HR 910 is legislation that presents a common sense approach to provide State and local governments with a specific definition and clarity when it comes to eligibility on the use of Federal-Aid Highway funds. Specifically, the ‘Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I)Safety Technology Investment Flexibility Act of 2015’ bill codifies the definition of vehicle-to-infrastructure communication technology in a way that clearly articulates what is eligible, yet is flexible enough to be able to include technologies which may not yet be developed. Additionally, the legislation clarifies eligibility under the Highway Performance Program (NHPP), the Surface Transportation Program (STP), and the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)."

2/13/15 - Mark Wright, Executive Director of the Association for Commuter Transportation

Transportation for America
“Investing in a 21st century transportation system drives the nation’s economy by ensuring prosperity, promoting access to economic opportunity and allowing businesses to attract talent. Today, communities across this country are looking to adapt to the latest transportation technological changes and respond to market preferences for transportation-rich neighborhoods. Federal policies have a critical role to play in identifying and promoting the most promising innovations and helping communities deploy them effectively. The Vehicle to Infrastructure Safety Technology Investment Flexibility Act would help a promising new technology move from theory to practice, and in return make more efficient use of our transportation system, while improving safety.

“We are happy to see H.R. 910 highlight the importance of providing states and local governments access to innovative and smart technologies by making vehicle-to-infrastructure equipment eligible for federal funding. We look forward to working with you to pass this important legislation.”

3/3/15 - James Corless, Director of Transportation for America

Association of Global Automakers
“All major auto manufacturers are currently working to deploy advanced communications systems of the type envisioned in your legislation. Preliminary testing of these V2I systems has already highlighted a number of specific areas where they could reduce accidents and save lives: intersection collision avoidance, curve speed warnings, and rail grade safety crossings. The National highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that when fully deployed, vehicle-to-vehicle communications could help avoid or mitigate up to 80 percent of all unimpaired vehicle crashes. Improved V2I communication can add another significant capability to networked vehicles and enable improved, more efficient traffic management that will reduce congestion and unnecessary energy consumption. Finally, we note that advanced deployment of V2I infrastructure will provide immediate benefits to individuals driving vehicles equipped with V2I communications capabilities.

“Your legislation will give states the freedom to innovate in demonstrating and deploying these technologies in the future, and we look forward to working with you to see that it is enacted so that V2I projects can go forward.”

3/17/2015 - John Bozzella, President and CEO, Association of Global Automakers, Inc.

Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
“As we move into technologies centered on crash avoidance, the goals of safety and fuel efficiency are now perfectly aligned. Technologies that inform the driver and even mitigate driver error not only will save lives, injury and property, but also do much to diminish congestion on our roads. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications systems have the potential to mitigate or eliminate up to 80% of non-impaired crashes on all our roadways today. The benefits to society are striking. In creating incentives for deployment of this emerging technology, you are paving the way for a safer and less congested transportation network. Once again, we applaud your efforts and look forward to working with you.”

4/28/2015 - Mitch Bainwol, President and CEO, Alliance fo Automobile Manufacturers