To require the Secretary of Transportation to request the National Academy of Sciences to report to the Secretary and the Congress regarding the use of, and risks associated with, electronic and microprocessor systems in automobiles.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to enter into arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study regarding the use of electronic and microprocessor systems in automobiles and the safety risks associated with such use. Directs the Secretary to ask the Academy to report to the Secretary and the Congress by one year after enactment of this Act.

 
HR 1997 IH
102d CONGRESS
1st Session
 H. R. 1997
To require the Secretary of Transportation to request the National Academy of
Sciences to report to the Secretary and the Congress regarding the use of, and
risks associated with, electronic and microprocessor systems in automobiles.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 23, 1991
Mr. HOCHBRUECKNER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Transportation to request the National Academy of
Sciences to report to the Secretary and the Congress regarding the use of, and
risks associated with, electronic and microprocessor systems in automobiles.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
  States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
  The Congress finds that--
  (1) the planned and existing integration into automobile designs of
  electronic and microprocessor systems in the control of engine speed,
  braking, near-obstacle detection systems, electronic transmission
  controls, advanced ignition systems, advanced antitheft systems, and on
  board navigation aids will subject drivers and passengers to the risks of
  intermittent computer failure;
  (2) computer failures are much more difficult to predict than mechanical
  failures;
  (3) radio frequency interference and electromagnetic interference are
  serious hazards to computer circuits;
  (4) knowledge of the dangers posed by these kinds of interferences has been
  obtained through the experience of pilots and crews of aircraft controlled
  by similar computer systems;
  (5) a variety of safeguard techniques, such as backup circuits, exist to
  minimize the risks associated with random interference to computer-controlled
  equipment; and
  (6) the Automotive Information Council has predicted that the integration
  of vehicle electronic and microprocessor systems in a cost effective manner
  will be the biggest automobile challenge of the 1990's.
SEC. 2. STUDY OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH VEHICLE ELECTRONIC AND
MICROPROCESSOR SYSTEMS.
  (a) STUDY- The Secretary of Transportation shall enter into appropriate
  arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive
  study regarding the use of electronic and microprocessor systems in
  automobiles and the risks associated with such use.
  (b) COMPONENTS- In conducting the study referred to in subsection (a),
  the Academy shall--
  (1) analyze the safety risks associated with electronic and microprocessor
  systems directly controlling automobile functions, such as engine speed,
  acceleration, and braking ability;
  (2) identify potential safeguards that could be incorporated into automobile
  designs to prevent the occurrence of incidents caused by radio frequency
  interference or electromagnetic interference, including the feasibility
  of utilizing redundant computer circuits;
  (3) analyze the potential costs and relative feasibility of such safeguards;
  and
  (4) develop standards for the importation into and sale in the United
  States of automobiles utilizing electronic and microprocessor systems.
SEC. 3. COOPERATION OF SECRETARY.
  The Secretary shall furnish to the Academy at its request any information
  which the Academy deems necessary for the purpose of conducting the study
  authorized by this Act.
SEC. 4. REPORT.
  The Secretary shall request the Academy to report to the Secretary and the
  Congress not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act
  on the findings and conclusions of the study conducted pursuant to section
  2. The report shall include recommendations for legislation that the Academy
  considers necessary to eliminate or minimize the safety risks associated
  with the use of electronic and microprocessor systems in automobiles.