Connected Cars: Using Data to Improve Road Safety
Connected vehicles are transforming how we understand and manage traffic patterns, according to experts. Data collected from these vehicles, including speed, braking patterns, and even windshield wiper use, is providing valuable insights into road conditions and potential hazards. This information helps transportation departments and researchers to enhance safety and reduce congestion.
Darcy Bullock, a civil engineering professor at Purdue University, regularly monitors traffic data from Interstate 65, a major highway. He uses the data to identify problem areas and potential hazards, such as accidents or congestion. He notes that connected car data has become an invaluable resource. “Our cars know more about our roads than agencies do,” Bullock said, highlighting the ability of this technology to uncover hazards that would have taken years to identify previously.
The data primarily originates from commercial trucks and General Motors vehicles enrolled in OnStar, the company’s connected services. While commercial truck drivers are subject to federal monitoring, the collection of data from GM vehicle owners is less apparent, typically mentioned in privacy policies. This is indicated in the fine print of the company’s privacy policy.
For years, G.M. has sold driving data to third parties. A New York Times report detailed how G.M. sold personal driving behavior data to the insurance industry. After that report, G.M. was sued by drivers and the Texas attorney general.
Although the company ceased selling driving data to risk-profiling companies following the lawsuit, it still sells anonymous data about where and how its cars are driven, which the company has described as a “common business practice.” This data helps researchers study traffic, but has raised privacy concerns.
