Experts aim to discuss promises, problems of connected cars at Newsmakers, June 10

Two experts plan to discuss the promises and privacy problems of connected cars at a National Press Club Newsmakers event on Wednesday, June 10 at 10 a.m. in the NPC's Zenger Room.

Presenting updates on the pros and cons of connected cars is expected to be Jim Barbaresso, national practice leader for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for HNTB Corp., and Khaliah, associate director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC).

Like all Newsmakers events, this press conference is open to credentialed media and Press Club members free of charge. No advance registration is required.

Barbaresso has worked with major transportation clients across the country in planning, implementing and managing everything from small ITS feasibility studies to some of the largest and most visible ITS programs in the U.S.

Barnes plans to discuss the findings from a report by Sen. Edward Markey, D-Massachusetts, that finds data-collection safeguards in the auto industry are haphazard and inconsistent. She also plans to discuss how EPIC has been working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other government organizations on this issue.

Today’s vehicles are more connected than ever. Up to 100 microprocessor-based electronic-control units networked through the vehicle coordinate and control critical systems like anticipative braking, active cruise control and navigation systems. Automakers and highway system developers are now coordinating efforts to connect cars to infrastructure, and connect cars to each other.

The promise of this coordinated technology is one of express lanes with vehicles traveling at high rates of speed just inches apart in automated platoons.

If implemented as envisioned, vehicles will communicate with each other and with the highway infrastructure to create better and safer means of travel; information will be given to motorists to help them navigate congested urban environments; and traffic signals may become obsolete with on-board signage replacing traditional roadway signage.

But this new technological collaboration is controversial. Some see the future of connected cars and infrastructure as another way for undisclosed third-party ownership of information taken from citizens as cars talk to other cars, and talk to infrastructure. This information could be used by the insurance industry, for example, to regulate fees. There is even talk of biometric sensors on the steering wheels of cars to identify the physical characteristics of the driver. Cars could effectively “spy” on their drivers.

In a report on the issue, “Tracking and Hacking: Security and Privacy Gaps put American Drivers at Risk”, Markey called on the Department of Transportation and the Federal Trade Commission to issue rules to protect driver privacy and security.