VicRoads, Australia upgrades critical communications technology

Radio engineering specialist Simoco has announced has begun rolling out critical communications technology for 4728 VicRoads, Australia, to improve the efficiency of its mobile radios and safety of its vehicles and drivers. The move sees the supply of an in-vehicle P25 upgradable solution, specifically designed to address the needs of the emergency services, to the Victorian State Road Authority.
 
Simoco project partner Retrolooms has already installed a number of customised SRM9000 mobile radio solutions which will be running on the Telstra state-wide SMR network as well as private and public UHF channels. The solution was delivered for VicRoads’ response vehicles and Retrolooms will install the Simoco solution in the remainder of the company’s vehicle fleet as part of an 18-month roll out. Simoco will also deploy its intelligent, wireless microphone solution X10DR, which was integrated into the radio equipment for a powerful out-of-vehicle communication solution.
 
The contract also includes the Simoco advanced mobile suite (SAMS), an automatic vehicle location (AVL) system (SAMS AVL), which ensures that VicRoads staff can effectively monitor vehicles and drivers operating throughout Victoria. SAMS also has duress functionality, which a driver can initiate in the vehicle or via their X10DR microphone. In the event of an emergency, drivers can hit the alarm and the system automatically notifies authorities and individuals working for VicRoads so a rapid response to the vehicle and driver involved in potential danger can be quickly delivered. 
 
Managing over 22,000 kilometres of roads and 3,133 bridges, VicRoads provides safe and easy transport connections for residents, professionals and visitors to the state of Victoria. Its fleet vehicles are commonly used in traffic and transport enforcement and to support other state authorities.