The U.S. Department of Transportation describes in a factsheet research and tests of connected and automated vehicle research, as described in.  Along with other strategies and approaches, this is part of U.S. DOT ongoing efforts to protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nonvehicle occupants.

In 2013, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-vehicle roadway users made up approximately 5,562 out of 32,719, or 17 percent of all fatalities related to motor vehicle crashes.  Also, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities have remained relatively consistent or even risen, while other types of motor vehicle related fatalities have declined.