Next-Generation Technologies for Safety

A new “preventive safety” paradigm is emerging. It focuses on preventing vehicle crashes and reducing their severity rather than mitigating the consequences of crashes. New technologies, especially sensors and communications devices that form the basis of on-board crash prevention systems, are spurring this movement. Major initiatives such as the U.S. Department of Transportation's Vehicle Infrastructure Integration initiative and probe data processing are key to development of new safety technologies. Automotive and electronics engineers will have critical roles in advancing this safety-focused environment. This paper will discuss new safety initiatives and applications, and the opportunities they present to the engineering community.