Drivers’ Use of Camera-Based Rear Visibility Systems Versus Traditional Mirrors

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed to perform research involving the collection of information from the public as part of a multi-year effort to learn about drivers’ use of camera-based rear visibility systems as compared to their use of traditional vehicle outside mirrors. This research will support NHTSA in evaluating whether to pursue a regulation modification that would permit technologies other than mirrors, such as camera-based visibility systems (sometimes referred to as camera monitor systems (CMS)), for compliance with FMVSS No. 111. The data collections will be performed once to obtain the target number of valid test participants. Study participants will be members of the general public and participation will be voluntary. Participants will include licensed car and/or commercial truck drivers aged 25 to 65, who are healthy and able to drive without assistive devices. Participants will be recruited using print and online newspaper advertisements. Study participation will be voluntary and monetary compensation will be provided. The research will be conducted in two parts. Data collection will begin upon receipt of PRA clearance and will first involve light vehicles, and a second, subsequent part will involve heavy trucks. Participants will drive a production vehicle equipped with a commercially available or prototype camera-based visibility system in place of outside mirrors and a vehicle equipped with an original equipment mirror system. The research will involve track-based and on-road, semi-naturalistic driving experimentation. Vehicles used in testing will be equipped with instrumentation for recording driver eye-glance behavior, as well as vehicle speed, position, steering angle, and turn signal status. Sensors will also be used to determine and record the distances between the test vehicle and surrounding vehicles during testing. Information will be collected over the course of the research through participant recruitment screening questions, observation of driving behaviors, and post-drive questionnaires. Questions addressed to individuals will serve to assess individuals’ suitability for study participation, to obtain feedback regarding participants’ use of the CMS, and to gauge individuals’ level of comfort with and confidence in the CMS performance and safety.

The latest form for Drivers’ Use of Camera-Based Rear Visibility Systems Versus Traditional Mirrors expires 2029-03-31 and can be found here.

NHTSA Form 1553 - Interest Response Form

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Transportation - Ground Transportation

Review document collections for all forms, instructions, and supporting documents - including paper/printable forms.