LEE,
N.H. — 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.”
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