A contextual study of police car telematics: the future of in-car information systems

Abstract

Telematics systems are increasingly prevalent, but how safe are they to use? Designers have the challenge of designing systems that are suitable for usage within vehicles—systems that do not excessively distract the driver from the primary task of driving. This investigation addressed the requirements of telematics system design by evaluating an existing telematics device in the context of its everyday use. The system evaluated was the Mobile Data Terminal, a device used by the Sussex Police Force to assist officers in their duties whilst out on patrol. The investigation involved interviewing officers, working alongside officers in real-world situations, and assessing the system through implementation of a telematics safety checklist. The findings showed that the Mobile Data Terminal improved the productivity of double-crewed patrol cars, but was less effective, and potentially compromised road safety when patrol cars were single-crewed. The central conclusion was that telematics systems, which are considered to be incompatible with driving, should not be accessible whilst a vehicle is in motion.

Keywords:

• Contextual inquiry
• Driver distraction
• Human Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Mobile Data Terminal (MDT)
• Road safety
• Telematics