Publications
The Center for Automotive Research is involved in the research of significant issues that relate to the future direction of the global automotive industry. As a nonprofit research organization, and in cooperation with study funders, most CAR research is released publicly through this website.
Global Harmonization of Connected Vehicle Communication Standards
This report examines international efforts to develop “harmonized” connected vehicle standards that would enable automakers, governments, and technology developers to, at a minimum, adopt analogous conceptual and technological frameworks across markets. While many barriers stand in the way of a truly “Globally Harmonized Standard” for Connected-ITS applications, this report discusses…
International Survey of Best Practices in Connected and Automated Vehicle Technologies – 2015 Update
This report, completed for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), is the most recent in a series of annual updates on domestic and international CAV programs. The database underlying this report was originally compiled by CAR in 2010, and it has been updated regularly. As of December 2015, the database…
Meeting U.S. Passenger Vehicle Emissions Standards: Greenhouse Gas Credits Balance
The automotive industry is charged with reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of its fleet to an estimated average of 163 gCO2 per mile (equivalent to 54.5 MPG) by the year 2025.1 From now through the year 2025, the standards for GHG emissions in the United States will become more stringent…
Use of Data from Connected and Automated Vehicles for Travel Demand Modeling
Travel demand modeling is a crucial component of transportation planning and system management. Unfortunately, creating an accurate model of network traffic patterns can be difficult and time consuming. The calibration and validation of travel demand modeling requires the use of extensive datasets that describe the travel characteristics of people in…
Contribution of New-Car Dealerships to the Economies of All 50 States and the United States
New-car dealerships are found in nearly every community across the country, and are well-known for supporting their local areas through funding for children’s sporting events, local charities, and even assisting with the sale of Girl Scout cookies. Though some may overlook the largeness and importance of this industry, auto dealerships…
A Primer to Fuel Economy and Emissions Standards
An important transition within the automotive industry is underway as fuel economy and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions regulations quickly accelerate through the year 2025. The industry will be required by regulation to increase fuel efficiency of the U.S. fleet from 27.5 miles per gallon (MPG) for passenger cars and 23.4…
Crucial Greenhouse Gas and Corporate Average Fuel Economy(CAFE) Regulation Differences in the United States
An important transition within the automotive industry is underway as fuel economy and CO2 emissions regulations quickly accelerate through the year 2025. The industry will be required by regulation to increase fuel efficiency of the US fleet from 27.5 miles per gallon (MPG) for passenger cars and 23.4 MPG for…
Assessing the Cost & Benefit of Effective Lightweighting Technologies
This report examines why lightweighting may be a viable solution and examines the cost of lightweight automotive closures. This research analyzes the direct manufacturing cost by modeling the manufacturing processes of the door-in-white subsystem, including the inner and outer panels, hinge reinforcements, and intrusion beams, concluding with the joining of…
Crowdsourcing Transportation Systems Data
“Crowdsourcing” has been a topic of increasing interest in the popular press, but the concept is often ill-defined. Crowdsourcing involves leveraging the combined intelligence, knowledge, or experience of a group of people to answer a question, solve a problem, or manage a process. Due to ever-increasing connectivity and emerging data…
Connected vs. Automated Vehicles as Generators of Useful Data
This report summarizes the types of data that may be available from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) connected vehicle effort, as well as data from advanced automated vehicle systems. The USDOT connected vehicle program emphasizes the creation of transportation-related data that will be available and usable by public…