Context and Significance
- India records the highest number of road accident deaths globally, highlighting a severe public safety crisis despite expanding road infrastructure and vehicle penetration.
- The government is exploring Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication systems, or “talking cars”, as a technology-led intervention to reduce accidents.
Relevance
- GS Paper 3 (Infrastructure & Transport):
Road infrastructure, transport safety, intelligent transport systems, public safety. - GS Paper 3 (Science & Technology):
V2X technology, AI in transport, digital infrastructure, smart mobility solutions.
Scale of the Road Safety Crisis in India
Data and Global Comparison
- India accounts for nearly 11% of global road accident deaths, according to WHO estimates.
- Over 1.7 lakh people die annually in road accidents, with pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheeler riders most vulnerable.
- Economic cost of road accidents is estimated at 3–5% of India’s GDP, reflecting productivity loss and healthcare burden.
What Are ‘Talking Cars’? (V2X Technology)
Concept and Components
- V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) enables vehicles to communicate with other vehicles, road infrastructure, pedestrians, and networks in real time.
- It includes V2V, V2I, V2P, and V2N, allowing hazard alerts, speed warnings, blind-spot alerts, and collision avoidance.
How V2X Systems Work ?
Technical Architecture
- Vehicles are equipped with on-board units (OBUs) and sensors that transmit data on speed, direction, braking, and location.
- Roadside units (RSUs) relay information within a 300-metre detection range, enabling early warning before human reaction time.
Government Initiative in India
Policy and Institutional Framework
- The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is working with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on V2X standards.
- A Joint Task Force has been set up, involving MoRTH, DoT, and technology stakeholders, to pilot V2X implementation.
Expected Benefits of V2X Adoption
Road Safety Outcomes
- V2X can significantly reduce rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, and fog-related pile-ups, especially on highways.
- Automated alerts reduce dependence on human reflexes, addressing driver fatigue, distraction, and delayed reaction.
Traffic and Environmental Benefits
- Improved traffic flow reduces congestion, fuel consumption, and emissions, aligning with sustainable mobility goals.
- Real-time data enables smarter traffic management and emergency response coordination.
International Experience
Global Adoption Patterns
- United States has led V2X trials with strong regulatory support and vehicle safety mandates.
- European Union countries like Germany and France are integrating V2X into smart mobility frameworks.
- China is scaling V2X aggressively through smart cities and EV ecosystems.
Challenges in the Indian Context
Infrastructure and Cost Constraints
- V2X requires dense roadside infrastructure, high-quality digital connectivity, and standardised hardware.
- High initial costs may limit adoption in low-end vehicles, which dominate Indian roads.
Privacy and Data Governance Issues
- Continuous vehicle data transmission raises privacy, surveillance, and cybersecurity concerns.
- Absence of a robust data protection and liability framework may slow public acceptance.
Limitations of Technology-Only Solutions
- Majority of Indian road fatalities involve two-wheelers and pedestrians, who may not benefit immediately from V2X.
- Poor road design, enforcement gaps, and behavioural factors remain non-technological determinants of accidents.
Way Forward
- Combine V2X deployment with road engineering improvements, strict enforcement, and behavioural change campaigns.
- Begin with high-risk corridors, expressways, and freight routes through pilot projects.
- Integrate V2X with ADAS, Bharat NCAP, and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
- Develop clear data protection, liability, and interoperability standards before mass rollout.
