Commenting on an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last month, IMS Research said the possibility of a camera in every vehicle sold in the U.S. does not seem too far-fetched.
The NHTSA document initiates rulemaking to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111, Rearview Mirrors. Helena Perslow, market research analyst, Automotive & Transportation, at IMS Research estimated that 21% of vehicles produced in North America had park assist in 2008, but only about 9% of park assist systems used cameras.
“More U.S. vehicles are already starting to feature rear view cameras,” Perslow said. “Ford for example, is planning to offer rear-view cameras as standard or option on 75% of its vehicles by the end of this year. At least one more major vehicle manufacturer is already set to follow Ford.”
NTHSA has been investigating the cost and viability of potential solutions to mitigate fatalities and injuries associated with backover incidents. “The report reveals that the most promising technology so far is rear view video, however, it indicates that standard fitment might only become mandatory for vehicles most frequently involved in reversing accidents, such as pick-up trucks and utility vehicles,” Perslow said. About 300 people, predominately children under the age of five, are injured or killed in reversing accidents every year in the USA.
The NHTSA is asking for further data and comments from the public, to help with the final decision.
“It’s a positive cycle. It’s not until drivers experience a rear view system that they fully appreciate its value,” Perslow said. “The fact that it is becoming more common for their friends, colleagues or relatives to own vehicles with rear view systems is therefore likely to increase their familiarity with such systems.”
The NHTSA ANPRM is posted at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/Rulemaking/Rules/Associated%20Files/Rear_Visibility_ANPRM_022509.pdf..