Browsing by Author "Fitzgerald, Kaitlyn"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Vehicle Information Reporting Systems
    Fitzgerald, Kaitlyn; Blanco, Myra (National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence, 2020-09-22)
    The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) standard currently tracks data elements such as manufacturing details, vehicle descriptors, vehicle security codes, and serial numbers. To date, the VIN standard does not include information on safety features or vehicle equipment. Expanding the standard to indicate the presence of automated driving systems and advanced driving assistance systems could allow the efficacy and impact of these technologies on crash avoidance and crash mitigation to be more accurately determined. The research team held a series of meetings to solicit stakeholder feedback on a expanding the VIN and a number of Vehicle Information Reporting System (VIRS) alternatives. The six alternatives involved two methods of implementing a modified VIN, barcodes, optical chips, event data recorders, and a write-in option for a “participant-specified” VIRS alternative. Qualitative data of the feedback meetings was obtained from transcriptions and was further analyzed to identify preferences for VIRS alternative options. Quantitative data was obtained using a Likert-type survey adapted from the System Usability Scale. Unfortunately, due to time and budget constraints, no original equipment manufacturers participated in this project. Thus, this feasibility study may offer an incomplete view without this feedback.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Voluntary Versus Mandatory Standards: Analysis of Voluntary and Mandatory Regulations Use Cases to Address Rapidly Developing Technologies
    Maheshwary, Anurag; Fitzgerald, Kaitlyn; Trimble, Tammy E.; Blanco, Myra (National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence, 2021-04-20)
    This report examines the approaches that are being used by a variety of institutions to regulate rapidly emerging technologies in transportation. Several case studies were examined to determine if there are relevant criteria and situational contexts that determine an agency’s choice of either voluntary standards (industry self-regulation) or governmental rulemaking. From this case study analysis, the research team identified the following: • “Voluntary” and “mandatory” models of rulemaking are not binary choices; rather they are different points along a continuum. • The federal government, including the Department of Transportation, have developed regulatory tools that rely on both voluntary and mandatory approaches to accommodate innovation. • Alternative approaches of rulemaking utilized by other agencies, such as a cooperative mixed-model, may be useful for future regulation of automated vehicles.