IVHS--CAN IT DELIVER ON SAFETY?

Proponents of Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems (IVHS) believe that IVHS technology can reduce crashes either by providing early warning of imminent danger to drivers, so that they can take more timely and effective avoidance actions, or by automatically executing crash avoidance actions for the driver. Enke, however, expressed doubts about the benefits of technology to help drivers in emergency situations, saying, "Possibilities for installations in the vehicle which prompt the driver to an earlier action without constantly getting on his nerves are difficult to find..." (1979). Enke argued instead that basic changes in driver attitudes were necessary. Nevertheless, Enke's statement has served as a rallying point for IVHS proponents. This paper reviews Enke's analysis and shows that it depends on several implicit and explicit assumptions that raise doubts about the viability of IVHS in reducing motor vehicle crashes.