Vehicle Safety Act Launches PARTS Program with $4M+ Funding, Shields Industry Data from Public View

This bill formally sets up the Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS) program under the Department of Transportation, building on an existing NHTSA initiative. It kicks off with $4 million in funding for fiscal year 2026, ramping up to $9 million by 2030. The core idea is to gather and analyze real-world traffic safety data – think crash details, info on how safety tech performs – to figure out how to make cars safer.

Data Deep Dive, Doors Closed?

Here’s how it works: companies, likely automakers and tech suppliers, can voluntarily submit safety data to the program. A key point in the bill (Sec. 2) is that these companies keep ownership and control over their submitted data. It won't be shared with other companies without permission. More significantly, this data is specifically protected from public disclosure under federal law (citing 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(3)(B), which often relates to exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act). It's also exempt from the Paperwork Reduction Act, a law partly designed to oversee how the government collects information.

What this means in practice: While the goal is using data to develop better safety features – something every driver wants – the information itself, reports, and even communications about the research are kept confidential. You won't be able to file a request to see the specific data being used or the detailed findings derived directly from a particular company's input. The analysis itself will be done by an external non-profit or university hired by the government.

Steering the Ship Without a Rulebook?

The legislation requires the Secretary of Transportation to develop a charter, basically the program's governing document, within 180 days, working with participants and outside groups. However, the bill explicitly states (Sec. 2) that the Secretary isn't required to issue formal regulations to run the PARTS program.

Why this matters: Regulations often provide detailed, legally binding rules for how a program operates, ensuring consistency and providing clear lines of accountability. Without that requirement, the program's operation hinges more on the charter and the ongoing management by DOT and its contractor. It offers flexibility but potentially less formal oversight or fewer standardized procedures compared to programs governed by specific regulations.

The Bottom Line for Your Drive

Ultimately, the Vehicle Safety Research Act aims to leverage data collaboration to accelerate safety improvements on the vehicles we drive every day. The dedicated funding shows a commitment to this goal. However, it sets up a system where valuable safety insights are generated using data that remains largely shielded from public scrutiny. While participants get confidentiality assurances, the public gets the promise of potentially safer cars down the line, without full visibility into the data driving those changes.