DEVELOPMENT OF A STANDARDIZED VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

Information was developed for use by NHTSA to decide the most advisable characteristics of a standardized vehicle numbering (VIN) system. Discussed are: (a) A systems analysis of users: creation, use, transmission, needs, and problems; (b) literature reviews on alphanumeric codes and on character legibility; (c) an experiment on selected codes; and (d) cost-benefit issues. Most errors in VIN transmission relate to lack of standardization in the VIN, lack of standardized training materials for all users, insufficiency of verification processes, and poor physical characteristics of VIN plates and imprints. VIN users are categorized as Operational, Analytical, or Monitoring; each has different needs. Users were asked to state the essential data they require in the VIN and also to indicate secondary or discretionary data. Essential shared needs were for (a) access to large and complete data files containing unique information through the WMI (World Manufacturer) 3 characters, and the VIS (production year + individual vehicle sequence number) 1 + 7 = 8 characters: (b) ability to verify vehicles by looking at them (through make + body type) 1 + 1 = 2 characters; and (c) contingency fields for temporary data 2 characters. Thus, the total requirement is for 3 + 8 + 2 + 2 = 15 characters.

• Corporate Authors:

  Planning and Human Systems, Incorporated

  3301 New Mexico Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20016

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  Office of Driver and Pedestrian Programs, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1978-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 106 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Coding systems; Identification systems; Industries; Legibility; Lettering; Motor vehicles; Numbers; Perception; Standardization; Symbols; Systems analysis; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Alphabets
• Old TRIS Terms: Coding; Identifying; Identifying number; Marking; Recognition; User characteristics
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00175499
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-HS-803-182 Final Rpt., P/HS-32
• Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-7-01541
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: May 31 1978 12:00AM