Technologies to Enhance Traffic Safety 

Technologies to Enhance Traffic Safety 

Robin D. SmithPresiding Judge

City of Midland, Texas

Event Data Recorder

• Originally conceived and designed to gather air bag deployment information

• Information is now being used for other purposes

• Currently General Motors and Ford have contracted with Bosch Diagnostics to provide the reading unit and software

EDR LocationsUnder the Driver or Front

Passenger Seats

Under the center console behind the dashboard controls

Collecting the data

What Type of Data is Collected?

• Vehicle Speed• Engine Speed• Brake status• Throttle Position• State of Driver’s Seat Belt Switch• Passenger’s Air Bag Enabled or Disabled• Air bag Deployment Information

Who is currently using the data?

• Automobile Manufacturers• NHTSA• Insurance Adjusters• Vehicle Fleet Managers• Accident Reconstructionists• Law Enforcement• Others . . .

Where Can I Buy aCrash Data Retrieval Unit?

Bosch Diagnostics1-800-321-4889

Cost is $4,998.00 plus software subscription of $749.00 annually

The “Sniffer”

Passive Alcohol Sensor

• Designed to formulate “probable cause” by functioning as an “extension” of the operator’s nose

• Can detect alcohol is closed areas• Can detect alcohol in open beverage

containers

How does it work?

• Pump runs for 5 seconds and takes in a one cubic inch air sample

• Should be held 6-8 inches from the person’s mouth

• Color coded bar graph with 9 LED bars

PAS “Clip Mate”

Where can it be used?

• Used at sobriety checkpoints• School functions• Workplace applications

Problems?

• Admissibility in Court• Residual mouth alcohol• Environmental effects on the sample• Can get false readings from other sources• Illegal search?

Where can I buy a PAS IV “Sniffer”?

PAS Systems InternationalFredericksburg, VA

800/660-SNIF

Cost is $695.00

Global Positioning System

• GPS is funded by and controlled by the U. S. Department of Defense (DOD). While there are many thousands of civil users of GPS world-wide, the system was designed for and is operated by the U. S. military.

• GPS provides specially coded satellite signals that can be processed in a GPS receiver, enabling the receiver to compute position, velocity and time.

• Newer “receivers” also send a signal which allows for tracking and location data.

What other applications are possible?

• Determine speed of a vehicle• Track probationers• Track or Locate vehicles

– Stolen vehicles– Fleet Services– Rented vehicles

Installed GPS Boxes

Informer Lite

• Locates Vehicles (30 second intervals)• Map Tracking• Geofencing• Speed Alerts

Rocky Mountain Tracking800/242-0500

• $295 plus installation, wiring, brackets and activation

• Monthly $16.95 (500 updates)

Teen Track & Teen Track ProGPS WorldWide Group

877/628-3055

• $169 to $279 plus installation and options• $50-$99 year

*There are several other companies and price ranges

Is there a cheaper alternative?

Is there a cheaper alternative?

• PhoneGuard & PhoneGuard Premium • Two versions – one free• Free Version:

– Blocks Incoming Texting & Typing– Sends a Programmed Reply– Blocks Dialing/E-mail/Surfing– Notifies of Speed by Email– Override and Emergency Button

• PhoneGuard Premium– Locate/Track– Geo Fencing– Family View– Time-Outs to block use during designated

periods

• $29.99 year for two licenses• $49.99 year for five licenses

• Several other Apps are available for all phone platforms.

• Can be defeated

Stop Distance Warning

• iOnRoad– Using the camera on the phone, it warns drivers

of objects in front of the car.– Also designed to keep you in the lane– Uses calculations of object size to determine if

a danger exists

• Installed systems– Several manufacturers are using Radar to detect

cars, pedestrians and fixed objects.– Saab was experimenting with Lidar to prevent

crashes.– Mercedes Pre-safe: radar in the car detects

impending crash and the brakes are automatically applied at 40 percent, the seatbelts are pretensioned, windows and sunroof closed, seat adjusted and the seat bolsters inflated

• Other safety features:– Mercedes Attention Assist based upon steering

behavior– Mercedes Pedestrian Impact hood that springs

up giving more– Toyota Hybrid Vehicle Proximity Notification

System for pedestrians– Adaptive Cruise Control slows for cars ahead– Blind Spot Detection technology gives a visual

light showing a car in the blind spot

SCRAM Alcohol Monitor

• Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor

• Eight ounce ankle bracelet• Measures sweat / non invasive• Can test as frequently as every 30 minutes• Bracelet radios the modem which dials in a

report

SCRAM II

Who is currently using?

• Probation/Parole– Driving While Intoxicated Defendants– Domestic Violence– Underage Drinking

• Bonding • Drug/DUI Courts

Where can I buy a SCRAM system ?

Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc.Highlands Ranch, Colorado

303/785-7821

Cost is approximately $84 per weekplus $50 - $100 set up

Ticket Writers

• Eliminate entry errors• Reduce time entering tickets manually• Can capture photograph• Can capture fingerprint• Can upload warrants back to device

Video Recorders

Video Sunglasses

• 640 x 480 resolution• 30 frames per second• 2.5 hour battery life• Length of video depends on card• $120 - $200• I-Kam

In Car Police Video

Features

• Integrated Information (Speed/Time etc.)• Backtrack 30 seconds• Rear camera Warning systems• Built in GPS Mapping• Face Detection Software

Vehicle Alcohol Sensing

• DADSS – Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety– Ignition Interlock– Optical Scan– Transdermal Test– Odor Sensors - Nissan– “Alcokey”

Telematics

• Integrated use of telecommunications and informatics

• Typically transmissions of 100 meters • Interact with a network of transmissions

from other vehicles and fixed based systems

What will telematics do for vehicle safety?

• A vehicle braking ahead will alert the vehicles behind

• Construction zone beacons will slow vehicles

• Two vehicles approaching an intersection will warn of collision before the drivers can see the other vehicle

• Sensors in one vehicle can warn other vehicles about road conditions

• Pedestrians and bicycles using a smart phone can warn drivers of their location

• A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims that 81% of all crashes can be averted once telematics is fully integrated