Award winning VIC Police Bus features Hella Shapeline

Design firm Brimarco Byron-Wade has been recognised for its work on the new Victorian Police Alcohol and Drug Testing Bus (ADTs). At an awards ceremony hosted at the Sydney Opera House, the Victorian-based outfit took out the Good Design Award Best in Class in the Product Design Category.

Given for outstanding design and innovation, the award was presented by Jan Utzon, son of the Opera House designer Jorn Utzon.

The ADT, unveiled in March, has been created around a futuristic concept. Some of its design features include low floor height, zoned work areas with computer access for drug and alcohol testing purposes, staff rest areas, front and rear external and internal storage solutions, and night security for active staff with high visibility. Shapeline, a customized lighting design from HELLA Australia, were integrated into the unique look with HELLA’s L4060 series 90mm LED headlamps. Cameron Hoy, HELLA Australia, Segment Manager On-Highway, said it was pleasing to be part of such an innovative project from its conception right through to the build.

“From our point of view it’s very exciting to be part of a project like this from the initial conception to making it a reality,” he said. “Shapeline really showcases modern designs. If someone in truck or trailer is looking for a design that is a little bit cutting edge Shapeline will be the route they will take.”

The bus was part of a project with the Victorian Government in which Brimarco Byron-Wade in partnership with engineering consultants, Cobalt Design and Ottimo Design, provided 10 ADT buses, under contract with Victorian Police. In 2014 the team also won an Australian Design Award when it provided designs for the previous fleet of booze busses.

Brimarco Byron-Wade also owns a 10-year exclusive licence to manufacture and sell the ADT vehicle design nationally and internationally to government departments and approved companies. Matt Kirwan-Hamilton, Brimarco, Managing Director, said the faith and vision of Victoria Police enabled the project to become a reality.

“Winning the new ADT fleet contract in 2017 was a real catalyst for growth in our business and was a factor in the creation of 26 new jobs in Ballarat and Derrimut over the last two years,” he said. “We look forward to growing our team even further as new opportunities are realised.”