Fatal Exit: The Automotive Black Box Debate

ISBN-13: 9780471698074 / Angielski / Twarda / 2004 / 480 str.

Thomas M. Kowalick

Opis

FATAL EXIT is the first and only book documenting the decades-long debate among the automotive industry, government regualtors, and safety and privacy advocates over what the public terms "automobile black boxes." The book briefly traces the history of the debate from 1974 to 2004, and then clearly presents opposing viewpoints for and against the widespread use of emerging Motor Vehicle Event Data Recorder (MVEDR) technology.
The arguments are followed by proposals to proceed with developing and utilizing the technology in ways that are both effective and respectful of individual privacy. The reader of this book will be able to develop an informed opinion as to the usefulness of MVEDRs and thus contribute intelligently to the debate as the United States Congress considers legislation that mandates this technology.
In the United States 220,935,000 registered owners of motor vehicles are becoming aware of black box technology through newspaper and magazine articles, and television news stories. Many understand that these boxes already exist in 40 million cars. Yet motorists still have many questions and concerns about widespread use of the technology. As the only book of its kind, written by an insider and expert on the subject, FATAL EXIT provides an invaluable resource for anyone interested in why these devices have caused such international controversy.

Recenzje

" this book documents an important phase in the technical evolution of our society′s transportation system." ( IEEE Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine, October 2005)

"...you can learn all about automotive black boxes in an new book from Thomas M. Kowalick " (5.0 Mustang & Super Fords, June 2005)

" a unique book that provides extensive but very useful information on a decade long debate and arguments " (E–STREAMS, March 2005)

Spis treści

Acknowledgments.

Foreword.

Introduction.

I. SYMPTOMS OF A PROBLEM.

1 Question Everything.

2 Nothing Happens for the First Time: 1969–1998.

3 Shifting Gears: April 1998–September 2002.

11. SAFETY DEBATE.

4 NHTSA Call for Comments: October 2002.

5 Things Are Further Away in the Dark: December 2002.

6 Blowin′ the Horn: January 2003.

111. SOCIETAL I S S U E S.

7 Cruise Control: February 2003.

8 Turn Signals: February to March 2003.

9 Speed Bumps: March to November 2003.

10 Legal and Privacy Issues: 1999–2004.

11 Pros and Cons and Customers of Safety Data and NHTSA Rulemaking.

12 The Road Ahead: Automotive′s Second Century.

Glossary of Acronyms and Abbreviations.

Glossary of Terms.

Other Resources.

Standards.

Chronology.

Notes.

Bibliography.

Index.

O autorze

Thomas M. Kowalick has been in the center of the international debate over the use of black box technologies for more than seven years. He is the President of Click, Inc.® Transportation Safety Technologies, a member of the Author′s Guild, and is a Professor of History and Holocaust Studies at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst, North Carolina. He holds three patents related to MVEDRs and is Co–Chair of the IEEE–SA Global Project 1616: Motor Vehicle Event Data Recorder Standard.

Blurb

A compelling argument for automotive technologies that speak for the victim, tell the truth, and could save millions of lives

Fatal Exit: The Automotive Black Box Debate cuts through thirty years of political wrangling and institutional biases to provide an argument for the Motor Vehicle Event Data Recorder (MVEDR). This automotive equivalent of an airplane′s flight recorder or black box is intended to solve the mysteries of car crashes and improve the safety of our roads. The reader is taken inside the automotive industry and the government highway safety establishment to foster an understanding of the politics and the positions on all sides of this safety debate. The author takes an unbiased approach, chronologically presenting each argument and uncovering the agendas and mandates of each of the stakeholders.

The information needed to understand the technology and to answer motorists′ questions and concerns about the widespread use of MVEDRs are provided, including:

• Detailed bibliography plus more than 400 footnoted references that lead readers to detailed explanations of the technology as well as to further discussions of all sides of the argument
• Full examination of the unique legal and privacy issues that MVEDRs have raised
• Expert forecast of the future of the impact of MVEDRs on the automotive industry and on consumers
• Chronological summary of key events in the development of MVEDRs, including establishment of standards and key legislative milestones.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), motor vehicle crashes throughout the world killed 1.8 million people in 2002. Millions of others sustain injuries, with some suffering permanent disabilities. No country is spared this toll in lives and suffering, which strikes the young in particular. If current trends continue, the annual numbers of deaths and disabilities from road traffic injuries could, by the year 2020, rise by more than 60%, placing motor vehicle crashes at number three on the WHO′s list of leading contributors to disease and injury. Given these statistics, this publication is essential reading for all consumers who need to have their voices heard on this critical issue, as well as for attorneys, public safety advocates, public policy administrators, engineers, automotive professionals, journalists, and insurance executives.