in-vehicle technology to prevent driving while intoxicated
TRANSCRIPT
In-vehicle Technology to Prevent Driving While Intoxicated
Troy D. Walden, Ph.D.
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Center for Alcohol and Drug Education Studies
Impaired Driving Problem• Impaired driving claimed 10,511 lives in
2018 and cost the U.S. approximately $44 billion annually.
• In 2018 among the 10,511 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 67 percent (7,051) were in crashes in which at least one driver had a BAC of .15 g/dL or higher.
• Of the 10,511 alcohol related motor vehicle fatalities reported, many of them involved a repeat offender, which accounted for one out of every three fatal drunk driving crashes.
• Impaired driving remains a serious public health and traffic safety concern.
BUT WHAT IF…
Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS)
• Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety & National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• Researching In-vehicle technology that detects driver intoxication of blood alcohol concentration levels of 0.08 or >.
• Technology prevents the vehicle from being moved/driven.
Technology Being ExploredBreath Based Systems
• Breath based system is being developed by SenseAir- Autoliv.
• Sensors analyze alcohol in driver compartment (in driver seat).
• Sensors draw in exhaled breath of driver.
• Infrared light is passed through the breath sample.
• System measures concentration of alcohol in the breath sample.
Technology Being Explored (continued)
Touch Based Systems
• Measures alcohol levels using spectroscopy.
• Infrared light shined onto fingertip of driver.
• Infrared light is reflected back to the skin surface where the touch pad collects the reading.
• Two wave lengths signal the presence of alcohol.
• Readings are performed in less than a second.
Will DADSS be Mandatory in All Vehicles in the Future?
• No
• Congress did not mandate the technology be installed in every vehicle but instead…
• Recommended that the technology be optional for all new vehicles similar to lane departure warning or automatic braking options.
DADSS Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_BojOOFiKg
Nissan Drunk Driving Prevention Concept Car
• Features include…
• Alcohol Odor Sensor Technology.
• Facial Monitoring System.
• Driver State/Driver Behavior Technology.
Alcohol Sensors
• Transmission shift knob
• Detects perspiration/alcohol detection.
• Drunk driving voice alert
• Issued via car navigation system.
• Alcohol odor sensors incorporated into:
• Driver seat.
• Passenger seat.
Facial Monitoring System
• Camera on instrument cluster.
• Monitors drivers face
• Calibrated to monitor the drivers state of consciousness through eye blinks.
• When drowsiness is detected voice message alert is triggered via navigation system.
• Seatbelt system is activated tightening around the driver to gain attention.
Driver State/Behavior
• System monitors vehicle operational behavior.
• System identifies inattentiveness and distraction in driver.
• When detected voice message alerts are issues via navigation system.
• Seatbelt alert mechanism is activated tightening around the driver to gain attention.
