QLD Police Futuristic Patrol Car

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QUEENSLAND police could soon be employing the latest in cutting-edge technology in the fight against the state's spiralling road toll.

Developed by the National Safety Agency in conjunction with partners including Holden, Motorola and Monash University's Accident Research Centre, the Emergency Services Concept Car is set to revolutionise the way police enforce the laws of the road.

Using a VE Commodore supplied by Holden, the concept car incorporates some of the most advanced communications, surveillance, audio visual and network technology.

Check out the police car's features

NSA director of operations Des Bahr said the project was initially intended to address problems with heat and power management within existing emergency vehicles.

"We spoke to police and firefighters nationally and other groups that have a lot of technology and found out it was a common issue," he said.

The team solved the problem by replacing several single devices with a powerful all-in-one computer which quickly relays information to the user.

Voice recognition software allows police to use the computer while keeping their hands on the wheel.

Front and rear cameras beam real-time footage to communications centres where a supervisor can monitor the car's speed and position, enabling better and safer co-ordination of pursuits.

An automatic number plate recognition camera on the roof is capable of detecting and reading the licence plates of passing vehicles.

Queensland Police patrolling the states' motorways could use the camera to pinpoint the licence plate of a wanted vehicle out of hundreds of cars.

A recent trial of the technology in Los Angeles found that the camera is capable of scanning 5000 to 8000 cars in a 10-hour session.

It can be used for a variety of traffic policing applications including identifying speed violations by calculating the time a vehicle takes to travel between two points, identifying unregistered vehicles, and the tracking of vehicles and drivers subject to traffic restrictions such as provisional licence holders.

The futuristic police car is capable of firing a dart with an embedded GPS transponder into a suspect vehicle.

Police can track the offender on their on-board computer and follow from a safe distance, avoiding dangerous pursuits.

The concept vehicle is being tested by emergency service agencies nationally to determine the suitability of the technology in the field, and Mr Bahr said the Queensland Police Service had shown interest.

Mr Bahr said the ESCV would improve safety.

"By providing them with greater real-time support and decision-making tools (police) are more effective in enforcing traffic and making the road a safer place," he said.