Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication: India’s Tech Leap Toward Safer Roads

Why in News ?

India records the highest number of road accident fatalities globally, far exceeding China and the United States. In this context, the Government of India, through the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), is planning to introduce Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication technology as part of its broader road safety and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) initiative.

The move aligns with India’s commitment to reduce road deaths and improve traffic management through technology-driven solutions.

Background: Road Accidents in India

India faces a persistent and severe road safety crisis:

• Calendar year 2023:
  • 4,80,583 road accidents reported,
  • 1,72,890 deaths,
  • 4,62,825 injuries.
• 2024 data (MoRTH, Parliament):
  • Road accident fatalities rose 2.3% to over 1.77 lakh,
  • Averaging 485 deaths per day.
• International comparison (World Road Statistics 2024):
  • Fatality rate per lakh population:
    • China: 4.3,
    • USA: 12.76,
    • India: 11.89.
• Global commitment:
  • Under the Stockholm Declaration on Road Safety (2020), countries aim to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030.

This grim backdrop has intensified the search for technology-based interventions, of which V2V is a key component.

What is Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Technology ?

V2V is a wireless communication system that allows vehicles to exchange real-time data such as:

• Speed,
• Location,
• Acceleration,
• Braking patterns,
• Direction of travel.

It is a subset of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology and forms a core part of the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) framework.

The system is inspired by aviation safety technologies, where aircraft continuously broadcast their position and speed to nearby aircraft and ground stations to prevent collisions.

Institutional and Policy Developments in India

India has initiated several steps to operationalise V2V technology:

• Spectrum allocation:
  • The 30 GHz radio frequency spectrum has been allocated by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the National Frequency Allocation Plan.
• Inter-ministerial coordination:
  • A Joint Task Force has been constituted between MoRTH and DoT.
• Standards development:
  • Technical standards are being framed in collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
• Policy alignment:
  • V2V has been identified as a key initiative under MoRTH’s road safety and ITS programme.

Working of V2V

On-board Unit (OBU):

• Vehicles will be fitted with an OBU costing approximately ₹5,000–₹7,000.
• OBUs enable wireless data exchange between nearby vehicles within a 300-metre range.

Functional Benefits:

V2V systems can alert drivers about:

• Sudden braking by vehicles ahead,
• Black spots and accident-prone zones,
• Fog, obstacles, or parked vehicles on the road,
• Potential collision risks at intersections or blind curves.

Illustrative Example:

If a vehicle brakes suddenly on a highway, surrounding vehicles receive an early warning, allowing them to slow down in advance and thereby preventing pile-ups and chain collisions.

Phased Rollout Strategy

The rollout of V2V in India is planned in a phased manner:

• First phase:
  • Mandatory installation in new vehicles.
• Second phase:
  • Retrofitting in older vehicles.
• Spectrum cost:
  • Provided free of cost, reducing compliance burden on manufacturers.
• Timeline:
  • Targeted implementation within the current year, post notification of standards.

This phased approach aims to ensure affordability, technical readiness, and industry compliance.

Global Experience with V2V Systems

Several countries have already made significant progress in V2V adoption:

• United States: Global leader in V2V research, pilot programmes, and regulatory frameworks.
• Europe: Countries like Germany, France, and the UK are integrating V2V into smart city and mobility projects.
• Japan: ITS Connect programme provides real-time traffic and emergency alerts.
• China: Major adopter with strong integration into smart mobility and connected vehicle ecosystems.

Countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Mexico, like India, are currently in early pilot stages.

Examples of V2V-enabled vehicles:

• Volkswagen Golf 8,
• Certain Cadillac models in the USA.

Challenges and Concerns

1. Technological Limitations

• Frequency bands may not support all vehicle categories uniformly.
• Risks of miscommunication, signal interference, or system failure could themselves cause accidents if not managed properly.

2. Data Privacy and Surveillance

• Large-scale collection of data related to:
  • Vehicle movement,
  • Driver behaviour,
  • Location tracking,

raises concerns under data protection and privacy frameworks.

3. Cybersecurity Risks

• V2V systems are vulnerable to:
  • Cyberattacks,
  • Signal spoofing,
  • System hijacking,

which could pose large-scale public safety and national security threats.

4. Regulatory Gaps

• Need for a robust legal and regulatory framework governing:
  • Data ownership,
  • Liability in case of accidents,
  • Accountability of manufacturers and service providers.

Way Forward

To ensure successful and safe adoption of V2V technology, India must focus on:

• Comprehensive standards:
  • Aligning national standards with global best practices.
• Integration:
  • Linking V2V systems with India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and upcoming data protection laws.
• Cybersecurity audits:
  • Periodic testing and strengthening of system resilience.
• Phased and inclusive adoption:
  • Ensuring coverage of both commercial and private vehicles.
• Capacity building:
  • Training enforcement agencies and conducting public awareness campaigns.