By Robert Emro, CEPS

Project54, the voice-activated police cruiser developed by University of New Hampshire engineers, showcased several new innovations—including datacasting with New Hampshire Public Television—during an event at the Public Safety Complex Tuesday.

Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), who has secured Department of Justice funding for Project54 since 1999, spoke at the event. “Project54 has made great advances in enhancing the safety of our communities, law enforcement officers, and fire personnel. Their collaboration with the New Hampshire Department of Safety and over 85 New Hampshire municipalities has led to the use of the technology in over 800 public safety vehicles within the state. It is a tribute to the pioneering work of the UNH research team that this system is now being deployed in many jurisdictions nationally.”

Project54 researchers are studying the feasibility of using excess bandwidth in NHPTV’s digital broadcasts to send large data files, such as pictures, from N.H. State Police dispatchers to Project54 cruisers. The researchers are also working to enable PDAs to control a Project54 vehicle’s electronics remotely. The system already gives voice control of light bars, sirens, radios, records checks, radar guns, video cameras, license scanners and GPS units. And it’s not just for police cruisers anymore. On display were several new kinds of emergency vehicles equipped with Project54, including a fire truck from Exeter, a motorcycle from Greenland and ATVs used for search and rescue in Nottingham and Berlin.

“What you see here today is an example of the great things that can be achieved for New Hampshire and the nation when UNH researchers partner with the first responders to develop solutions to real world problems, whether in government or industry,” said J. Bonnie Newman, interim president of UNH. “The recent expansion of that partnership to include New Hampshire Public Television has great potential in the public safety, homeland security and public health arenas, and the university will continue to aggressively seek collaborative opportunities that make a difference for the people of New Hampshire and the nation.”

New Hampshire Public Television is not only using its digital broadcast capabilities with Project54. It also recently tested the federal Department of Homeland Security’s Digital Emergency Alert System (DEAS) with 25 other public television stations. This method of datacasting can be used to disseminate warnings from DHS and FEMA during times of national crisis. The DEAS is now being deployed and when fully operational, will alert officials, first responders and the public through broadcast and cable television, terrestrial and satellite radio, and other wireless networks, including cell phones and PDAs.

“NHPTV and the public television system are dedicated to public service,” noted Peter Frid, General Manager and CEO of New Hampshire Public Television. “We’re pleased that our station’s powerful digital technology can be applied to enhancing public safety systems in New Hampshire through Project54 as well as the national emergency alert system.”