The “WatchDog” Vehicle Chip

Zakary F. WadeCS 410

Spring 2007

Zakary F. Wade

• TeleTechNet Student

• Pursuing Bachelors degree in Computer Science

You’ve seen it in movies…

… unfortunately, it happens and can end in tragedy.

• Two in five high-speed police chases in the U.S. end in property damage. (NHTSB)

• One in four chases end in injury. (NHTSB)

• Over 300 people are killed yearly. (CBS News)

• Sadly, nearly 1/3 of those are unrelated to the pursuit. (CBS News)

Anti-Pursuit/Unnecessary Pursuit Laws

• Some groups feel police chases are unnecessary

• Some states prohibit unnecessary chases - Florida

• Criminals basically get a “get away free card”

Why are there pursuits?

• Grand theft auto

• Minor traffic violations

- Running red lights

- Speeding

- Running stop sign

• It’s the small signs that tip the officers off.

Proposed Solutions

• Primitive methods- Vehicle intervention (CNN)- Tire shredders

• Technology based solutions- H.A.L.T. system (laser method)- “Raygun” solution (microwave method)

• CPI projects – C.F.D.S. and S.M.S.• Stop pursuits before they start

Why they have failed

• Primitive methods still put lives at risk and can cause property damage

• The Laser gun and Raygun both require officers to have good aim and be within range of the vehicle.

• Stop the pursuit before it begins

The WatchDog Solution

• Microchip in each vehicle

- Can be implemented into existing solutions such as OnStar

• Unique car ID with onboard chip

• Stop signs, stop lights, and speed zone signs would have transmitters

The WatchDog Solution

Software To Run

• Car Software

- Low level operating system on the car chip

- Front end for setting/getting info on car chips (sending signals if law has been broken).

• Law enforcement Software

- Database of owners/license plates

- Software to send/receive satellite signals.

Pros

• Since roughly 8 of 10 chases started with simple violations – we can avoid the chase!

• Would hopefully cut down on injuries and deaths involved with high-speed chases.

• Would free officers so that they could “protect and serve” instead of chasing minor traffic violation offenders.

• For those that do not violate, could be used to lower insurance rates!

• Tickets sent out could prove a source of revenue for the city.

Cons

• Obviously has to have a microchip of some sort in the vehicle.

• Could be challenged (owner of vehicle might not have been the one driving).

• Would require training of dispatcher and troopers (money!).

• Would cost money to apply this technology to stop signs, stop lights, speed signs (raise taxes?! ;-( )

• Privacy concerns

Non-software solution!

• Simplest solution – don’t break the law!

• Could be deployed in larger cities where chases tend to be a problem.

• Would utilize already existing technology in vehicles.

• Can SAVE lives and reduce property damage.

Resources

• http://www.nlectc.org/justnetnews/04262001.html#story4 (car photo)• http://people.howstuffworks.com/police-chase1.htm• http://www.nlectc.org/justnetnews/04262001.html#story4 (H.A.L.T.)• http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/07/26/police_pursuit/index.html (P.I.T.)• http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/07/31/18293114.php• http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/31/eveningnews/main998201.sh

tml• http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-01-05-police-chases_x.htm• http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/FutureTech/story?id=538452&page=1• http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/blog/2006/06/

other-side-of-high-speed-police-chases.html• http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/• http://www.cs.odu.edu/~cpi/cpi98-99/cpi98-99/cfds/public_html/• http://www.cs.odu.edu/~cpi/cpi-s2000/SMS/

Questions?

Thank you!