Monitoring of police vehicles to save £1m
Northamptonshire Police has saved £100,000 more than expected in the 12 months since fitting in-car technology that captures driver and vehicle behaviour.
Northamptonshire Police has saved £100,000 more than expected in the 12 months since fitting in-car technology that captures driver and vehicle behaviour.
A telematics system was installed across the forces vehicle fleet and the business and operational benefits have exceeded expectations. The force has already saved £238,000 in fuel and accident costs alone in the past year, which has surpassed the anticipated savings, and it is expected to contribute more than £1 million towards the forces five-year £23 million savings requirement.
Northamptonshire police and crime commissioner, Adam Simmonds, said: As we seek to deliver more for our communities on a reduced budget, we are continually looking to improve processes across our departments. ARTEMIS Telematics has enabled us to do this not just across the force fleet, but the business as a whole.
We have to find considerable savings in the policing budget in the years ahead and this technology provides a business-wide solution that is a great example of how we need to be working more effectively and efficiently.
Head of operations, Superintendent Sean Bell, added: As well as the financial benefits of telematics, there are a wide range of operational benefits.
A whole layer of bureaucracy has been removed in that officers no longer have to use a paper log whenever they use a police vehicle they simply swipe their card.
The public can be reassured by knowing officers driving is continually monitored.
In addition, the technology allows us to see exactly where vehicles are across the county, meaning we can very quickly allocate them to priority areas.
The key component of the ARTEMIS solution from APD Communications is a police specification driver and vehicle management system (DVMS) that promotes accountability and economical driving behaviour in non-emergency situations. By identifying where driving habits can be improved, officers can adapt their behaviour to increase fuel efficiency and reduce wear and tear on vehicles.
The system is also compatible with existing applications used by Northamptonshire Police: Civicas Tranman Fleet Management application, Sterias STORM Command and Control and Northgates mapping software.
ARTEMIS is giving us an 18 per cent fuel saving. When the case for fitting it was made, subsequent to a full review of the transport department back in 2010, we predicted nine per cent, so we are doing much better than expected, explained Graham Crow, head of Transport and Travel for Northamptonshire Police.
Initial data also indicates a reduction in collisions since ARTEMIS was deployed.
