Victoria Police ADT3

The next generation of roadside enforcement.

Road safety innovation through automotive design

Victoria, Australia is recognised as a world leader in road safety initiatives, especially mobile alcohol & drug testing. This is the legacy of the revolutionary second-generation Alcohol & Drug Testing (ADT) Vehicle, designed by Cobalt and winner of a 2004 Good Design Award.

In 2018, Victoria police embarked on a new project to develop the third generation ADT vehicle - a vehicle to become the flagship of police operations once again, and one that embodies their role as both enforcer and protector.

Cobalt was again engaged as principal design partner to provide expert Industrial design and engineering expertise to develop a new, cutting-edge vehicle platform to help reduce the number of preventable deaths and injuries due to drunk or drug-impaired drivers.

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2018 Good Design Award Best in Class

Focus Areas

Automotive Styling
User-centred Design
Industrial Design
CAD Modelling
Prototyping
Australian Standards and Design Rules Compliance
Animation and Product Visualisation

Year

2018

Client

Brimarco

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Victoria Police ADT3 set up on roadside, with two side doors opened.

New Victoria Police ADT3 parked next to a fleet of previous ADT2 buses

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Design Achievements

Usability

Safety

Response

Visuals

Compliance

Drawing on over 14 years of user insights, we improved usability through clever vehicle layout allowing flexibility of setup and operation. This included maximised workspace and accessibility through better integrated storage, lowered floor design and transformable crew amenities area.

Safety was considered throughout every aspect of the ADT, including the step-free floors of the bus providing officers and civilians with clear and unobstructed exits in case of an emergency. Front and rear external storage compartments allow officers to deploy quickly and safely even within busy or cramped testing locations.

The ability to deploy in emergency response situations is a necessity for this vehicle. The ADT has been designed to be transformable, converting into a mobile command post during major incidents and emergencies. Interior spaces and communications equipment/technology were specified to provide versatility in the vehicle’s functionality.

Hundreds of preventable deaths and injuries occur on our roads every year due to intoxicated or drug-impaired drivers. The ADT’s strong visual language reflects Victoria’s tough stance on drink/drug driving, allowing officers to effectively serve their community and drive the death toll on our roads towards zero.

The vehicle is fully compliant with all applicable Australian Standards and Australian Design Rules, ensuring safety and adaptability.

The Team We believe good design happens by expert people working as a team.

Mark Matthews-Frederick

Jack Magree

Graeme Marshall

Adam Dean-Smith

Bernie Walsh

Warrack Leach

Victoria Police ADT3 parked with officer opening up integrated drawer for roadside safety equipment

Since Cobalt designed the previous testing vehicles, we distilled over 14 years of user insights to take the new ADT to a new level. Knowing the kind of power and endurance the bus would require, the ADT is built on the proven Iveco Metro chassis.

Safety was considered throughout every aspect of the ADT, such as the continuous plane floors of the bus providing officers and civilians clear and unobstructed exits in case of an emergency. The low-floor layout allows officers to mobilise quickly and professionally while accessing emergency equipment from unobtrusive storage compartments.

Many new features exist in this iteration of the ADT, including a programmable LED screen on the back of the vehicle, which can alert drivers of changed conditions and prepare them to slow down and stop for testing. Also appearing for the first time is the roof-mounted electro-pneumatic mast light, which rises & pivots to a height of 9m to illuminate the entire testing zone, whilst minimising glare for approaching traffic.