IMOPOL+

In the course of finalizing the first project period, core results from the research performed was prepared in a comprehensive Visualization for the essential end user. For the 25 identified deployment scenarios of iMobility in a police context, application areas, requirements and communication actors from the essential end user were presented. Following up, each scenario was linked to relevant hardware and software solutions taken from the respective iMobility thematic fields, in order to enable a tangible display of the current situation and future trends. In an additional iteration, deployment scenarios were clustered into five groups, based on the scope of application of solutions and technologies. The clusters identified in this step are Operational Tactics, On-Site Operation, Cybersecurity, Car-2-X and Autonomous Driving. By providing a structured display of the deployment scenarios, an optimum basis for evaluation and prioritization by essential end users is generated.

Prioritization Workshop with the BMI Experts

The month Mai marks the end of the first project period of IMOPOL+. The end of the aggregation, research and structuring work of the consortium was formed by the collaborative prioritization workshop of the research partners and the essential end user. Therefore, the research teams from SYNYO and Virtual Vehicle Research Center (VIF) as well as the experts from the Ministry of Interior (BMI) gathered for an intensive workshop. In the course of the meeting, generated knowledge from ongoing research was presented and deployment scenarios were discusses by clusters. In parallels, the experts from the BMI prioritized the presented solutions with respect to their relevance in application as well as considering constraints given by development times and legal situation. The closure and processing of the workshop kicks off the second project phase of IMOPOL+, which is dedicated to deepen the details on hardware, software and deployment scenarios based on the prioritization.

Open Legal Questions on Novel Technologies

During the first project phase, the IMOPOL+ team identified a wide range of legal aspects, which are currently not discussed sufficiently for the introduction of iMobility technologies. A huge part of these open legal issues are related to data protection and privacy. The permanent collection of number plate recognition data or the automated request for information on a specific vehicle, for example, are not permitted by the Austrian legal framework. In addition, there is no legal basis on the seizure or analysis of data stored in hard drives built into cars. Furthermore, legal aspects, which were not considered yet, were uncovered. Those include on one hand side the thematic field of autonomous driving and on the other hand side the issue of considering emergency vehicles of the police as legal assets to be protected within Austrian law in the future. Even though these open questions were identified, the scope of the IMOPOL+ project does neither cover the legal processing nor the postulation of future jurisdiction.

The Way to a Roadmap on iMobility in Police Context

Based on the findings from the prioritization, the research partners SYNYO and VIF will perform in-depth analysis of hardware and software of relevance to the police. The focus of the research conducted is the readiness for market of the technology and the inherited short or long term establishment of them in road traffic. The detailed elaboration will be used to develop a detailed roadmap and strategy for application and handling of iMobility. Therefore challenges will be considered, which arise from technologies not utilized in a widespread manner, as well as chances, which are opened up for police forces by employing them.