Travelers joins automated vehicle coalitions
Travelers announced that it has joined the Advanced Vehicle Technology (AVT) Consortium at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE). Both organizations work to strategically advance research and public information about automated vehicle and driver assistance technologies.
The AVT Consortium includes top US auto manufacturers, insurance carriers and automated vehicle technology companies. The organization studies driver behavior, including how drivers respond to and interact with adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assistance, vehicle infotainment systems and smartphones. That data is shared with consortium members so they can identify how technology and other factors related to automation adoption can be improved.
“As a leading auto insurer, we play a central role in the conversation about the future of transportation and mobility. Our goal through these new collaborations is to continue to understand the evolution of the technology, actively engage in research and contribute risk management insights to help improve auto safety for everyone.” – Michael Klein, Executive Vice President and President of Personal Insurance at Travelers.
“Automated vehicle technologies are changing the risks on the road, including the dangers associated with distracted driving. We look forward to working closely with PAVE and MIT’s AVT Consortium, two groups that will help ensure the next phase of transportation includes improved mobility and safety.” – Joan Woodward, Executive Vice President of Public Policy for Travelers and President of the Travelers Institute, who leads the company’s Every Second Matters℠ distracted driving campaign.
Travelers recently published a white paper, titled Insuring Autonomy: How auto insurance can adapt to changing risks, which outlines the company’s assessment of the existing auto insurance structure, both personal and commercial, in the context of resolving claims and providing fair compensation to accident victims as vehicles become more autonomous. The white paper also describes how the development and rollout of this technology will help spur innovation, increase public safety, provide peace of mind and protect American drivers and consumers.
