As computers grow smaller and cheaper, while also becoming more powerful, manufacturers have begun adding them to vehicles to improve performance, efficiency and safety.
Transport Canada is looking at whether some of these features should be required on some new vehicles in Canada, in particular school buses and commercial trucks, while avoiding requirements that could keep the technology from advancing. If required, these features would become standard equipment on new vehicles. We may also set performance requirements for some technologies when performance varies between manufacturers, or when there's a safety risk.
As part of this consultation, we'd like to know:
- What metric (or set of metrics) could Transport Canada use to determine whether a technology has, or hasn't, met a safety goal? What unbiased information could we use to assess this?
- If there are no requirements from the United States or United Nations for a technology, should Transport Canada develop requirements using an outcome-based approach or prescriptive requirements? Why?
- If the United States or United Nations have a requirement for a technology, should Transport Canada use an outcome-based approach to consider these requirements? Or should we use those existing international prescriptive requirements that align with our safety goals and improve them where needed? Why?
- What information would be beneficial to manufacturers to help them determine if they meet outcome-based regulations?
You can find more information below on each technology.
If we require these technologies, we may use outcome-based regulations.
On this page
- Technologies that are being considered
- Advanced braking systems for motorcycles
- Emergency brake assist
- Electronic stability control for medium vehicles
- Emergency stop signal
- Regenerative braking signal
- Accident emergency call system
- Blind spot information system (heavy vehicles)
- Blind spot detection/warning
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assist
- Level 2 and Level 3 systems
- 360° cameras
- Camera monitoring systems
- Intelligent speed assist
- Rear-visibility system (medium and heavy vehicles)
- Driver drowsiness and distraction monitoring
- Coming into force
Technologies that are being considered
Advanced braking systems for motorcycles
Advanced braking systems can improve braking performance and help to prevent wheel lock during heavy braking, which gives the driver more control.
Many studies have shown that these systems can be effective, including a 2010 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that found that motorcycles equipped with these systems were 37% less likely to be involved in a deadly crash. The Swedish Road Administration also found that 48% of all severe and deadly motorcycle accidents could be avoided with the system.
Since January 2016, these systems are required for all new motorcycles in Europe (UN Regulation 78). While the systems aren't required in North America, some manufacturers choose to include the feature on their North American models.
Emergency brake assist
Some studies have found that drivers don't always fully press the brake pedal in an emergency. Emergency brake assist systems apply extra braking force when panic braking is detected. This can lead to shorter braking distances and fewer collisions.
Automatic emergency braking (considered through another consultation) acts similarly by sensing objects, and could be considered as the next evolution of this system.
There are no requirements for this technology in North America or internationally.
Electronic stability control for medium vehicles
Electronic stability control improves steering by automatically braking individual wheels as a way of correcting oversteering or understeering.
The feature is required for light vehicles (passenger cars, pickups, minivans and multi-purpose passenger vehicles) and heavy vehicles (truck tractors and highway coach buses), but not for medium-sized vehicles (tow-trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks, delivery trucks). This is partly due to the wide range of vehicle designs and configurations.
With an outcome-based approach, we could require electronic stability control for medium vehicles without the need to create and test procedures for every type of vehicle. While there are no North American requirements for medium vehicles, the feature is required on medium vehicles in Europe (UN Regulation 13).
Emergency stop signal
The emergency stop signal alerts other road users that a vehicle is about to stop suddenly by flashing the brake and/or hazard warning lights. The goal is to warn others and give them more time to react. Results of studies into the effectiveness of the technology are mixed.
While the technology isn't allowed in North America, other countries do require the systems (UN Regulations 13, 13h and 78).
Regenerative braking signal
A regenerative braking signal activates the brake lights when a vehicle slows down fast enough without the driver pressing the brake pedal. This technology is mainly used in electric and hybrid vehicles that slow the vehicle to recharge batteries (regenerative braking).
While some regenerative braking systems slow the vehicle down similar to coasting, others quickly slow the vehicle and act like braking. If a vehicle slows down quickly and doesn't activate the brake lights, there's a higher risk that there will be a collision.
The feature is included on some North American vehicles, but isn't mandatory. The feature is required on vehicles in Europe (UN Regulation 13 and 13h).
Accident emergency call system
An accident emergency call system automatically notifies a call center and/or police when a severe collision is detected. The system gives emergency responders the vehicle's location and includes two-way voice communication. The system can alert authorities quicker so they can help.
Depending on how the feature is installed, the data collected could also be used to help collision investigations, improve collision statistics and improve vehicle safety regulations. The technology is already available, but usually requires a paid subscription.
The feature isn't regulated in North America, but is required on vehicles in the European Union (UN Regulation 144).
Blind spot information system (heavy vehicles)
Blind spot information systems notify drivers when a pedestrian or cyclist is in a possible blind spot, and warns the driver if a collision is likely.
Transport Canada has done track tests and a year-long field trial of one type of system installed on different vehicles in Canadian cities. Results of these studies are pending.
The feature isn't regulated in North America, but is required on heavy commercial vehicles in Europe (UN Regulation 151).
Blind spot detection/warning
Blind spot detection systems improve a driver's situational awareness and notify them when there's a vehicle in their blind spot. The notification is usually a light on the outside rear view mirrors. More advanced systems can issue a warning if the driver starts moving towards a lane where a vehicle has been detected.
Studies have shown this feature can lead to fewer lane-change crashes. There are no requirements for this technology in North America or internationally.
Lane departure warning
Lane departure warning systems notify drivers when they drift outside their lane without using the turn signal. Studies have shown that these systems can lead to fewer single-vehicle, sideswipe and head-on crashes, but in early system trials many drivers felt that the system was a nuisance and stated they would probably turn the feature off.
The feature is not mandatory in North America, but performance requirements have been set for its use in Europe (UN Regulation 130).
Lane keep assist
Lane keep assist systems use corrective steering to keep a vehicle in its lane if it begins to drift. The system could be considered the "next step" in the evolution of lane departure warning systems. Some studies have found that some drivers may rely on the technology too much.
The feature is not mandatory in North America, but performance requirements have been set for its use in Europe (UN Regulation 79). In Europe, the technology will be mandatory for passenger cars in 2022.
Level 2 and Level 3 systems
We are considering minimum safety requirements for SAE level 2 and SAE level 3 systems, which take control of both steering, throttle and braking, to reduce the possibility that drivers rely on technology too much. These requirements could include warning lights, driver monitoring, and minimum transition procedures.
There are currently no requirements for North America, but the technology is regulated in Europe (UN Regulation 79 & UN Regulation on Automated Lane Keeping System).
360° cameras
Exterior 360° cameras show drivers any nearby vulnerable road users while their vehicle is stopped or moving slowly. These systems place a series of cameras on the vehicle which are connected to a display for the driver. The cameras provide views around the vehicle which are difficult to see with mirrors alone. This technology is particularly suited to buses and heavy vehicles.
There are no requirements for this technology in North America or internationally.
We're also holding a separate online consultation on technologies for School Bus Safety that includes 360° cameras.
Camera monitoring systems
Camera monitoring systems replace side-view mirrors and use a combination of cameras and video monitors. There are advantages for vehicles fitted with cameras instead of mirrors, like better fuel economy. For heavy vehicles, these systems can improve visibility by reducing the blind spots created by mirrors.
In 2016, Transport Canada consulted with manufacturers and Canadians on allowing these systems, but the feedback we received did not support the idea. The technology has continued to evolve and some manufacturers have asked for the systems to be allowed.
There are no requirements in North America for this feature, but there are minimum requirements in Europe (UN Regulation 46). In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has consulted on whether the systems should be allowed. At this time, the systems are allowed in Canada as long as physical mirror requirements are also met.
Intelligent speed assist
Intelligent speed assist systems notify drivers when their vehicle passes the posted speed limit. Some systems can also limit or correct the vehicle's speed. The goal of this feature is to reduce the number and severity of collisions.
There are no requirements for this technology in North America or internationally, but the European Commission is planning on making the feature mandatory for new passenger and commercial vehicles.
Rear-visibility system (medium and heavy vehicles)
Rear-visibility systems show a driver what's behind their vehicle when backing-up. These systems are required for light duty vehicles. The systems usually place a camera at the rear of a vehicle and a screen near the driver.
There are no requirements for this technology in North America or internationally, but the European Commission is planning on making the feature mandatory for new passenger and commercial vehicles.
Driver drowsiness and distraction monitoring
Driver drowsiness or distraction monitoring systems monitor the driver and warn them (using methods that become more intense over time) when signs of drowsiness or distraction are detected. The goal is to re- focus the driver on driving, and in the case of drowsiness, to alert the driver or suggest they take a break.
There are no requirements for this technology in North America or internationally, but the European Commission is planning on making the feature mandatory for new passenger and commercial vehicles.
Coming into force
This is an informal consultation as part of a pre-regulatory process. If a regulatory proposal is created based on this notice, it would be published with a proposed coming into force date in the Canada Gazette, Part I, followed by a formal comment period. You will also have the opportunity to provide feedback during this formal comment period. Any new regulatory requirement would come into force after it is published in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
The regulation may include separate mandatory compliance dates depending on how far the technology has evolved, and how often the systems are being used in light and heavy vehicles.