VACCA AND TLC ANNOUNCE “BLACK BOX” TECHNOLOGY PILOT

New Taxi Safety Technology Being Tested

06.02.15 TLC Black Box Presser

New York, NY – Today, June 2, at 11:00 a.m., Council Member James Vacca, Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Technology, jointly announced with the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) the commencement of TLC’s Vehicle Safety Technology (VST) pilot program, a component of the Vision Zero Action Plan.

 

Vacca introduced legislation in April 2014 calling on TLC to initiate a pilot program to install and utilize telemetric or “black box” technology in TLC-licensed fleets. “Black box” technology entails installing a device in a vehicle that records data on vehicle movements such as speed, acceleration, breaking, and abrupt turns. The goal of recording and analyzing such data is to improve driver safety. TLC’s VST pilot was approved in June 2014, and the pilot’s participants, IonFleets, Inc. and Mobileye, Inc., are now testing a combination of data recorders, driver alerts, in-vehicle camera systems, and analytic software in a total of 10 yellow medallion taxicabs, Boro (green) taxis, and for-hire vehicles. TLC will evaluate each type of technology’s efficacy in promoting safe driving practices.

 

“The Taxi and Limousine Commission’s Vehicle Safety Technology Pilot Program is an integral component of Vision Zero.  I recognized the potential of such a program last year when I introduced legislation to mandate a pilot of telemetric technology in TLC’s fleet, and I am thrilled to see it come to fruition,” said Council Member Vacca. “This pilot program is so important because the City will be able to assess which types of technologies are the best fit for New York City’s diverse fleet of licensed vehicles. Testing a wide range of technologies, including black boxes to record vehicles’ movements and alerts to help drivers stay aware of their driving habits, will go a long way in preventing collisions and in encouraging lawful driving behaviors. This technology has the potential to save lives, and I would like to thank Commissioner Joshi for her leadership on this proposal. I look forward to seeing the results of this important pilot program.”

 

The pilot is still open to additional participants. To learn more about the program, visit: http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/industry/veh_safety_tech_pilot_program.shtml

Print Friendly, PDF & Email