Breath Measurement Instrumentation as Alcohol Safety Interlock Systems

This report describes the results of field tests of in-car instruments which measure alcohol on the driver's breath and prevent him from operating his vehicle if intoxicated. Two types of breath alcohol sensors were used for these tests; a fuel-cell type developed by TSC, and a semiconductor type from the Borg-Warner Corporation. Eight vehicles were equipped with the breath measurement and instrumentation and given to volunteer subjects. Subjects returned to TSC weekly to allow calibration checks of the instrumentation, determination of their reaction to the devices and discussion of any attempts to circumvent the breath test interlock. The results of the field test indicate that breath measurement interlocks are basically feasible, but that more engineering effort needs to be expended to advance the alcohol sensor technology required for the production of sensors with uniform and predictable characteristics. The utility of currently available sensors is limited by erratic calibration drift. The field test also indicates circumvention to be a major problem and solutions to the problem do not appear to be cost effective.

• 
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/1127
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Systems Center

  55 Broadway, Kendall Square
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  Office of Driver and Pedestrian Programs, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Bray, Kenneth J
  • Huntley Jr, M Stephen
• Publication Date: 1974-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Interim Report
• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 54p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohol breath tests; Alcohol ignition interlock devices; Countermeasures; Drunk drivers; Drunk driving; Feasibility analysis; Field tests; Highway safety; In vehicle sensors; Instrumentation; Measurement; Prevention; Traffic safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Circumvention (Alcohol ignition interlock devices)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01082934
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 21 2007 7:57AM