Future Vehicle-Based Alcohol Detection Systems

1. 6/2/2012 1 Future Vehicle-Based Alcohol Detection Systems Ron Medford Senior Associate Administrator, Vehicle Safety

2. 6/2/2012 2 Alcohol-Related Fatalities & Rate (per 100M VMT) 1982 – 2006 The 2006 Annual Assessment of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Fatalities and Injuries shows that 17,602 people were killed in the United States in alcohol-related motor vehicles traffic crashes – essentially unchanged from the 17,590 alcohol-related fatalities in 2005. The 2006 Annual Assessment of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Fatalities and Injuries shows that 17,602 people were killed in the United States in alcohol-related motor vehicles traffic crashes – essentially unchanged from the 17,590 alcohol-related fatalities in 2005.

3. 6/2/2012 3 Development of Advanced Alcohol Sensing Technology Cooperative research and development effort NHTSA and Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) 5-Year Effort NHTSA contributing up to $1M per year with ACTS matching or exceeding NHTSA’s contribution Concept In-vehicle capability to detect impairment before vehicle can be operated Significant technical and public acceptance challenge

4. 6/2/2012 4 Potential Technical Areas of Promise Volpe conducted a technology review Potential technologies include: Tissue Spectroscopy Transdermal Detectors Ethanol Vapor Detectors Ocular Measures Tissue Spectroscopy In limited production for clinical and evidential use Superior accuracy and specificity Not yet established that can work on hand Requires large reduction in size and cost as well as faster response to be viable as interlock Transdermal Detectors Measure ethanol in perspiration Commercially available Several thousand in use under court mandates Ethanol Vapor Detectors Vehicle mounted detection system that send short-range signals to police at checkpoint Potentially easy to circumvent Contamination problem Occular Measures Horizontal gaze nystagmus – accepted element of field sobriety test, but difficult and expensive to automate Pupilometry (Pictured) – known devices are expensive; eyes must be shielded from ambient light to obtain valid results; better for drugs than alcoholTissue Spectroscopy In limited production for clinical and evidential use Superior accuracy and specificity Not yet established that can work on hand Requires large reduction in size and cost as well as faster response to be viable as interlock Transdermal Detectors Measure ethanol in perspiration Commercially available Several thousand in use under court mandates Ethanol Vapor Detectors Vehicle mounted detection system that send short-range signals to police at checkpoint Potentially easy to circumvent Contamination problem Occular Measures Horizontal gaze nystagmus – accepted element of field sobriety test, but difficult and expensive to automate Pupilometry (Pictured) – known devices are expensive; eyes must be shielded from ambient light to obtain valid results; better for drugs than alcohol

5. 6/2/2012 5 Comparison Matrix for Primary- Interlock Applications From Volpe’s Research, this chart shows a comparison of these different technologies with respect to accuracy, cost, development time, convenience, circumvention risk and technical risk. The positive signs are all best case scenario, for example, tissue spectroscopy is the best as far as accuracy, while also being extremely convenient and has a low risk of circumvention. From Volpe’s Research, this chart shows a comparison of these different technologies with respect to accuracy, cost, development time, convenience, circumvention risk and technical risk. The positive signs are all best case scenario, for example, tissue spectroscopy is the best as far as accuracy, while also being extremely convenient and has a low risk of circumvention.

6. 6/2/2012 6 Challenges for Public Acceptance Costs Reliability Execute within specified margin and no tolerance for faulty performance Maintenance Low/no maintenance Self-calibrate Easy to use and transparent to the driver No special effort/action required on part of driver

7. 6/2/2012 7 Intermediate Steps with Advanced Technology Vehicle technologies that can detect impairment are being developed What is the appropriate action if the vehicle detects an impaired driver during operation? August 2007 – Nissan announced a concept car featuring multiple preventative features

8. 6/2/2012 8 Nissan’s Concept Car Presently integrated on-board a production model Fuga sedan, the various technologies are designed to detect the driver's state of sobriety and to activate a range of preventive measures including immobilization of the vehicle. Alcohol Odor Sensors 1. A hi-sensitivity alcohol odor sensor is built into the transmission shift knob, which is able to detect the presence of alcohol in the perspiration of the driver's palm as he or she attempts to start driving. When the alcohol-level detected is above the pre-determined threshold, the system automatically locks the transmission, immobilizing the car. A “drunk driving” voice alert is also issued via the car navigation system. 2. Additional alcohol odor sensors are also incorporated into the driver’s and passenger seats to detect the presence of alcohol in the air inside the vehicle cabin. When alcohol is detected, the system issues both a voice alert and a message alert on the navigation system monitor. Facial Recognition System A camera is mounted on the instrument cluster facing the driver to monitor the driver’s face. The system is calibrated to monitor the driver's state of consciousness through the blinking of the eyes. When the system detects signs of drowsiness, a voice and message alert is triggered via the navigation system. Additionally, a seat-belt mechanism is activated which tightens around the driver to gain his or her immediate attention. Driving Behavior By constantly monitoring the operational behavior of the vehicle (e.g. sensing if the vehicle is veering out of its driving lane), the system can identify signs of inattentiveness or distraction in the driver. When the system detects such behavior, voice and message alerts are issued via the navigation system. The seat-belt alert mechanism is also activated, tightening around the driver to gain immediate attention.Presently integrated on-board a production model Fuga sedan, the various technologies are designed to detect the driver's state of sobriety and to activate a range of preventive measures including immobilization of the vehicle. Alcohol Odor Sensors 1. A hi-sensitivity alcohol odor sensor is built into the transmission shift knob, which is able to detect the presence of alcohol in the perspiration of the driver's palm as he or she attempts to start driving. When the alcohol-level detected is above the pre-determined threshold, the system automatically locks the transmission, immobilizing the car. A “drunk driving” voice alert is also issued via the car navigation system. 2. Additional alcohol odor sensors are also incorporated into the driver’s and passenger seats to detect the presence of alcohol in the air inside the vehicle cabin. When alcohol is detected, the system issues both a voice alert and a message alert on the navigation system monitor. Facial Recognition System A camera is mounted on the instrument cluster facing the driver to monitor the driver’s face. The system is calibrated to monitor the driver's state of consciousness through the blinking of the eyes. When the system detects signs of drowsiness, a voice and message alert is triggered via the navigation system. Additionally, a seat-belt mechanism is activated which tightens around the driver to gain his or her immediate attention. Driving Behavior By constantly monitoring the operational behavior of the vehicle (e.g. sensing if the vehicle is veering out of its driving lane), the system can identify signs of inattentiveness or distraction in the driver. When the system detects such behavior, voice and message alerts are issued via the navigation system. The seat-belt alert mechanism is also activated, tightening around the driver to gain immediate attention.