Advanced law enforcement vehicle electronics and associated power

An ever-increasing role of technology in law enforcement has led to the integration of numerous electronic devices into the advanced law enforcement vehicle. Along with improved safety and efficiency of law enforcement personnel, the addition of these electronics has resulted in significant vehicle power management challenges. The Texas Transportation Institute has developed the Advanced Law Enforcement and Response Technology (ALERT(R)) system. The ALERT system is an integrated, mobile platform for emergency response vehicles that incorporates public safety data collection, wireless communications and control of in-vehicle peripherals. The ALERT architecture includes a ruggedized computer and color touch screen display, ALERT-compliant vehicle peripheral equipment, a standard, in-vehicle data communication bus, and wireless communication components for transfer of voice, data, and images. It is expected that as additional technologies are integrated into advance law enforcement vehicles advanced power management approaches will be necessary.