Biden’s Build Back Better bill aims for ‘zero fatalities’ on US roadways
The US launches an ambitious National Roadway Safety Strategy
The Safe System Approach
The National Roadway Safety Strategy embraces an approach that acknowledges that humans make mistakes:
People will inevitably make mistakes and decisions that can lead to or contribute to crashes. Still, the transportation system can be designed and operated to accommodate certain types and levels of human mistakes when a collision occurs.
But overall, the plan goes through five themes:
This is about incorporating design elements that help prevent crashes and mitigate harm when they occur. The strategy alludes to some interesting research. For example:
With this in mind, the strategy includes intentions to:
The project focuses on increasing road safety through self-enforced speed limits and speed cameras.
Is the aim of zero safety just wishful thinking?
The US is not the first country to focus on a zero fatality approach. Sweden first instigated it under the monikerVision Zeroin 1997. Canada, the Netherlands, and the UK have since followed suit.
It’s easy to classify this document as a doorstop or a document that kickstarts some cool projects, only to be shelved upon a change of government.
But I think this is the perfect time for this project. TheBuild Back Better Actfocuses onrepairing and improving road infrastructure. Like the legislation, it provides a commitment to cars, trucks, cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users.
I’m also interested in the admission of human error. Autonomous vehicles aim to reduce road accidents, offering greater safety than human drivers. The plan makes mention of tech such as automated braking. However,human-assisted vehicle automationcan also lead to accidents. I’ll be interested to see how and if this plan can manage the contention.
Is the safety problem Tesla self-driving mode or the lack of attention of the driver? Credit:Tesla.
I’m curious how self-enforced speed limits work, given the strategy also promotes greater use of speed cameras. It seems somewhat contradictory, or is it more about finding a solution to the problem of racial profiling and police traffic stops?
Overall, this is an ambitious proposal. It’s well-intended, but I’d like some timelines and actionable items to get a sense of how and when the safety goals will be reached.
Story byCate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin. She focuses on all things mobility: ebikes, autonomous vehicles, VTOL, smart ci(show all)Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin. She focuses on all things mobility: ebikes, autonomous vehicles, VTOL, smart cities, and the future of alternative energy sources like electric batteries, solar, and hydrogen.
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Safer people
Safer roads
This is about incorporating design elements that help prevent crashes and mitigate harm when they occur. The strategy alludes to some interesting research. For example:
With this in mind, the strategy includes intentions to:
Safer vehicles
Safer speeds
The project focuses on increasing road safety through self-enforced speed limits and speed cameras.
Post-crash care
The US is not the first country to focus on a zero fatality approach. Sweden first instigated it under the monikerVision Zeroin 1997. Canada, the Netherlands, and the UK have since followed suit.
It’s easy to classify this document as a doorstop or a document that kickstarts some cool projects, only to be shelved upon a change of government.
But I think this is the perfect time for this project. TheBuild Back Better Actfocuses onrepairing and improving road infrastructure. Like the legislation, it provides a commitment to cars, trucks, cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users.
I’m also interested in the admission of human error. Autonomous vehicles aim to reduce road accidents, offering greater safety than human drivers. The plan makes mention of tech such as automated braking. However,human-assisted vehicle automationcan also lead to accidents. I’ll be interested to see how and if this plan can manage the contention.
Is the safety problem Tesla self-driving mode or the lack of attention of the driver? Credit:Tesla.
I’m curious how self-enforced speed limits work, given the strategy also promotes greater use of speed cameras. It seems somewhat contradictory, or is it more about finding a solution to the problem of racial profiling and police traffic stops?
Overall, this is an ambitious proposal. It’s well-intended, but I’d like some timelines and actionable items to get a sense of how and when the safety goals will be reached.
