DOT ‘guidelines’ for auto tech

The Information Super Highway and real highways aren’t a good mix, federal regulators say. The Department of Transportation has issued “proposed voluntary guidelines” for automakers who offer digital entertainment and information systems on their vehicles’ dashboards.

The electronic distraction guidelines include a call to automakers to block text messaging, Internet browsing and social-media use while the vehicle is not stopped and parked. There is also a 2-second limit on driver activity that requires taking their eyes off the road.

Drivers would not be able to manually enter the standard 10-digit phone numbers. GPS address entry would not be allowed while the vehicle is in motion.

The DOT took its time with the driver distraction guidelines, courting automakers and watching their competitive development of dashboard electronics over the past several years. The guidelines will be the first from the government.

Automakers have been closely watched participants at the annual Consumer Electronics Show as they unveiled Internet-based technologies that operate via the dashboard and vehicle controls. They promote elements such as tie-ins with the Facebook social media service.

“These guidelines are a major step forward in identifying real solutions to tackle the issue of distracted driving for drivers of all ages,” DOT chief Ray La Hood said of the highly anticipated directive from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The DOT said the advisory was “the first in a series of guidance documents” regarding “sources of distraction that require use of the hands and/or diversion of the eyes from the primary task of driving.”

The guidelines are directed at “light” vehicles such as passenger cars, minivans and SUVs. Interstate truckers and some other commercial drivers are subject to new government regulations regarding electronic distractions.

Here are the general distracted driving guidelines for automakers, as issued by the DOT:

• Reduce complexity and task length required by the device;
• Limit device operation to one hand only (leaving the other hand to remain on the steering wheel to control the vehicle);
• Limit individual off-road glances required for device operation to no more than two seconds in duration;
• Limit unnecessary visual information in the driver’s field of view;
• Limit the amount of manual inputs required for device operation.

One interesting item is a 30-character limit (not including punctuation marks) on visually presented text. This would affect most existing satellite radio receivers.

NHTSA chief David Strickland noted that some automakers already were in tune with the electronic distraction issue, others “that have no strategy at all.” BMW, for instance, has collaborated with the DOT on distraction campaigns.

Acknowledging the consumer demand for 24/7 wireless infotainment — “the tools and conveniences expected by today’s American drivers” — Strickland vowed “real-world guidance to automakers.”

The NHTSA is considering a similar action regarding “aftermarket and portable personal electronic devices such as navigation systems, smart phones, electronic tablets and pads, and other mobile communications devices.” Use of most of these devices by drivers are widely regulated.

Also on the radar are “voice-activated controls to further minimize distraction in factory-installed, aftermarket, and portable devices.”

The proposed guidelines have been published in the public register and are subject to a 60-day comment period that will include public hearings in Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Stick shifts slowing distracted teens

Stick shifts aren’t extinct — it just seems that way — and concerns over teen safety may be helping the manual transmission systems make a mini-comeback.

A Northern California TV station reports that some area parents are buying their teenagers vehicles with stick shifts in order to keep the kids’ hands off cell phones.

Sacramento News10 interviewed a 17-year-old who says that while many of her friends text and drive, “With a stick shift, I can’t really check my phone,” she said. Her parents bought her a Honda Civic.

Stick shifts have largely disappeared in the U.S., with about 5.5 percent of current sales, the report says. (In 1985, the percentage of stick shifts was about 23 percent.) Manual transmissions remain common overseas, however.

BMW drives home texting & driving threat

BMW has made good on its promise to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that’ll help get out the word about the dangers of distracted driving.

Below find one of the distracted driving video PSAs created by BMW as part of its campaign “Don’t TXT & Drive — When the Engine Starts the Texting Stops.”

The German automaker and Department of Transportation chief Ray LaHood made nice in December, as concerns were mounting over interactive communications systems being placed in vehicles. The latest “Don’t TXT & Drive” campaign grew out of that meeting.

LaHood, meanwhile, gave the Wall Street Journal a juicy quote for its story this week on Internet-based auto gadgets: “There’s absolutely no reason for any person to download their Facebook into the car,” he said.

The BMW campaign features print ads as well. Dealerships will feature printed materials, hang-tags and decals for display in vehicles and showrooms throughout the summer. (text continues … )

Subaru, the other automaker to hear LaHood’s call, bought major TV airtime for its “Baby Driver” PSA, in which a little girl playing in a car morphs into a teen ready for her first solo drive. “Call me — but not when you’re driving,” her protective dad says.

LaHood said of BMW’s campaign: “I am grateful to BMW for their efforts to raise public awareness about distracted driving, and for urging drivers to put down their phones and focus on the road. I hope that other automakers will follow their lead.”

Multimedia cars on parade at CES

This year’s CES confirmed that automakers are indeed quickening the pace toward making their vehicles hubs of electronic information and entertainment.

“Connected vehicle” systems and safe-driving technologies co-existed and co-mingled at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Toyota and Hyundai unveiled new wireless communications and data systems for their vehicles, while GM’s popular OnStar service announced it was expanding into other carmakers’ vehicles.

Ford rolled out its first electric car, with “wireless connected vehicle services” designed by partner Airbiquity.

“The car of the future is part of the mobile (electronics) world,” said Audi AG chairman Rupert Stadler. “And that is the future we are driving toward.”

Stadler used part of his CES keynote speech to talk up Audi’s multimedia interface platform, which delivers navigation, communications and entertainment.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has expressed concern over the spread of Internet-based wireless systems that could worsen the nation’s distracted driving problems. Carmakers respond that technology such as voice-recognition software actually makes for safer driving.

“There are many integration, compatibility and driver distraction issues that will need to be resolved, but we will start to see (more of) these technologies in cars in the very near future,” says Doug Newcomb, a senior editor at Edmunds.com who is covering CES.

Newcomb pointed to growth areas as in-car Internet; smartphone integration with dashboards; smartphone apps that extend the in-dash offerings to other locations; and more “telematic” services similar to GM’s OnStar navigation and information system.

OnStar plugged its upcoming app for Android smartphones that will read drivers’ incoming text messages, check for Facebook updates and allowing for voice-commanded responses. An iPhone version is expected after the Android app’s debut sometime this summer.

Toyota trumpeted its new “Etune” electronics system, also designed to import Internet content via smartphone apps. Content providers so far include Bing, OpenTable, MovieTickets.com and Pandora. “Bring the power of a decision engine to your car with Bing,” the carmaker urges.

Rollout for Etune begins in the later part of 2011. Toyota vehicle buyers get a free subscription to the service for three years.

Hyundai unveiled Blue Link (pictured), a budget telematics system about to go public on its Sonata model (sometime this spring) and Veloster (summer). Eventually it will be available on all vehicles, the South Korean carmaker said.

Hyundai’s Blue Link multi-tiered service includes auto-crash notification and consumer-friendly information such as restaurant reviews and gas prices. It will be more dependent on voice-triggered responses than live operators, and plans to undercut GM’s OnStar, which starts at about $300.

OnStar, meanwhile, said it would make its interactive services available in the consumer aftermarket, meaning owners of most vehicle makes and models can add the subscription product. Plans are to make the rear-view-mirror-based system available for the 20 best-selling vehicles in the U.S.

Pioneer Corp. was in town courting software developers with partner tech guidelines for its PAIS system (platform for the aggregation of Internet services), a voice-controlled device portal that can be used in vehicles.

Chrysler and technology parter Garmin (of GPS fame) were in town with their uConnect Touch navigation system, which recently expanded to numerous models. Garmin’s navigation can do tricks like speaking street names and answering the question “Where am I.”

Like Ford’s Touch Sync system, uConnect works via smartphone connectivity. It utilizes an 8.5-inch screen and has entertainment features from Panasonic. (In the small print, Chrysler says the system is not for use while the vehicle is in motion.)

On the safety-first side, a new consumer safety product from Iteris and Audiovox combines lane-changing and forward-collision warning systems.

Drivers are alerted when drifting into another lane or following too closely. The technologies have been available on some premium vehicles and trucks. The new system, which will cost about $600 installed, operates via a compact camera and onboard computer.

“We think driver safety is a major new growth opportunity for the auto aftermarket,” said Audiovox chief Tom Malone.

ZoomSafer, meanwhile, showcased “FleetSafer Vision,” which helps fleet owners monitor drivers’ wireless communications use.

FleetSafer Vision crunches data from the vehicle (location, speed, etc.) along with mobile wireless communications data (phone calls, text messages) and other information (weather, traffic, etc.) so fleet operators can “measure and remediate risky behavior and reinforce good behavior.”

ZoomSafer already markets software that prevents drivers from texting while driving, but it only works with smartphones. The new product hooks up telematics-equipped vehicles regardless of the phone used by the operator.

Another telematics outfit, Inthinc, copped a CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award for its teen driving safety system, tiwiFamily. It allows parents to monitor cell phone usage, speeding and other dangerous activities.

Taser, known for its law enforcement tools, was selling its “Protector” safe driving system, which locks down cell phones, texting and Internet use while a vehicle is moving. Parents can decide if hands-free cell phone use is allowed.

Last year’s CES sponsored a session called “Drivers, Consumer Electronics, and Highway Safety: How Can Technology Help?” focused on distracted driving. Input came from executives of Safe Driving Systems, Illume Software, ZoomSafer Inc., Tomahawk Systems, Marketing, Best Buy Mobile, TxtBlocker and Global Traffic Network.

Digital dashboards & distracted driving news

Digital dashboards:A Louisiana legislator seeks to rewrite the state’s law regarding drivers and video screens. HB 387 would allow use of split-screen in-dash monitors, found in a few vehicles such as those in the Mercedes S-Class (SplitView). These dashboard screens allow front passengers to watch movies or television while the driver sees only navigational elements.

“Connected vehicle” systems and safe-driving technologies co-existed and co-mingled at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Toyota and Hyundai unveiled new wireless communications and data systems for their vehicles, while GM’s popular OnStar service announced it was expanding into other carmakers’ vehicles.

Ford rolled out its first electric car, with “wireless connected vehicle services” designed by partner Airbiquity.

DOT: The new Internet-related gadgets being installed by automakers led U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to open up a new front in his department’s war on distracted driving.

During September 2010′s second Distracted Driving Summit, LaHood said, “In recent days and weeks we’ve seen news stories about carmakers adding technology in vehicles that lets drivers update Facebook, surf the Web or do any number of other things instead of driving safely.

“Features that pull drivers’ hands, eyes and attention away from the road are distractions,” the DOT chief said.

LaHood met with the major automakers to set guidelines for entertainment and communications systems such as Ford’s Synch and GM’s OnStar. General Motors Co. CEO Daniel Akerson was at the top of the DOT chief’s to-meet-with list.

Facebook hits the road: GM isn’t backing off its plans to link up drivers with Facebook and Twitter. OnStar president Chris Presuss told the Detroit News in mid-October 2010 that the new OnStar functionality passed GM’s safety tests. “Not only is it safe — all things relative in the vehicle — it’s actually a benign activity,” Preuss said of the hands-free functionality. Ford says it isn’t planning a similar Facebook feature, but does plan to have its Sync system read Tweets to drivers. Sync already voices text messages to drivers and allows for user’s voice-initiated preprogrammed responses.

Thanks to Subaru: LaHood praised Subaru of America for its “Baby Driver” ad in which a father teaches his young son not to text or make cell phone calls while behind the wheel. Subaru’s Tom Doll said, “Staying focused on the road is a key element in crash avoidance, which is why our designers deliver a simple, clear dash layout in our vehicles and why we remind people in our ads to concentrate only on their driving.”

Texting banned for truckers, bus drivers

Truckers and bus drivers have been barred from text messaging on the job, following announcement of a federal ban on the practice.

“We know that a commercial truck or bus driven by someone texting is a lethal weapon,” says U.S. Transportation chief Ray LaHood.

The ban — which includes the use of handheld cell phones for texting — officially comes from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It applies to interstate truck drivers and commercial bus or van drivers who carry more than eight passengers.

Penalties for texting and driving for truckers will be up to $2,750.

Hood, who has grown increasingly passionate about the distracted driving issue over the past six months, writes on his DOT blog:

“We’re not trying to deny anyone the opportunity to earn a living at the wheel of a truck or bus. We’re simply sending a message: when we advise drivers to share the road responsibly, we mean it.”

The truckers lobby has been closely following distracted driving legislation, in particular any implications for two-way radios and GPS systems. Most, but not all, states that have banned drivers from text messaging or using handheld cell phones (those without hands-free accessories) have exempted these devices.

The obvious question is enforcement, an issue even with small cars. Law officers would be hard pressed to tell if a truck driver were texting due to the height of the cabin.

“The enforcement problem here is enormous,” said Russ Rader of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, quoted in the Washington Post. “It’s not clear this is going to make any difference on the road in terms of crashes.”

Nonetheless, safety advocates point out, many people simply respect and observe laws.

LaHood vowed “additional legal remedies” in coming months. The DOT cannot order states to ban electronic devices, but it is possible to cut off funding for those states that do not cooperate. A similar method was used with seat belts and legal drinking ages.

An outright ban on commercial drivers’ use of handheld cell phones could be next on the DOT’s agenda.

President Obama has banned text messaging for federal employees driving U.S. vehicles.

Trucks, texting a deadly mix

A study of professional truckers indicates that even pros are severely handicapped while text messaging behind the wheel.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s study found that the truckers were 23 times more likely to get in a wreck while texting. The researchers placed video cameras in the cabs of long-haul trucks over a year and a half period. About 100 truck drivers participated.

In the collisions recorded by the cameras, drivers typically looked at their text messaging devices for five seconds before the accident, the New York Times said in reporting on the Virginia Tech texting study.

The video cameras were focused on drivers’ faces in the seconds before a crash or a near-miss.

Researchers said the danger of crashing while texting applies to all drivers, since they did not find texting behaviors out of the ordinary among the professional truck drivers. The institute is also studying teenagers who text while driving, and the results seem in line with the trucker data.

The estimate that drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to crash is significantly higher than other studies have reported.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration helped pay for the texting and trucking study.

Virginia Tech and the University of Utah are among the most active research operations looking at various forms of distracted driving.