Demonstration projects could be a useful tool for promoting innovative TLE concepts and measures. It is the application of a TLE concept by a regularly functioning enforcing agency, in actual field conditions and in such a manner that the operation, if successful, could be easily adopted by similar agencies in same or other countries. Enforcement officials and researchers from EU and CEE countries were consulted by means of surveys, interviews and workshops about enforcement ideas that would be acceptable to them and be suitable as a demonstration project. The DP could be an idea, an approach, a method, a technical solution, an organisational structure or process or any combination of these, which address a real issue in TLE in one’s country and most likely in other countries. It should be possible to implement it in a life span of a typical project (2-3 years), and it should be expected to have measurable effects on compliance or the efficiency of the enforcement process. Agreement on common issues must underlie shared demonstration projects. The extent of agreement was explored regarding organisational issues, management issues, non-compliance targets, legal and administrative issues, enforcement methods and tactics, resources and knowledge, and acceptance of new enforcement concepts. There was large variability in opinions among TLE professionals, reflecting national, organisational and personal differences. There was an agreement, however, on a number of issues. The target areas for focusing enforcement that were identified in GADGET and other projects, were all rated highly by both EU and CEE officials: drink-driving (or random breath testing), speeding (in both urban areas and on inter-urban roads), non- use of safety devices (belts or helmets), and behaviour of young drivers. In addition, dangerous or aggressive behaviour in traffic and handling repeat offenders were rated as priority areas. There was agreement that field officers are under too heavy administrative demands, that traffic enforcement is not necessarily high on the national agenda or that of police organisations. Many officials wished for legislation that would widen the responsibility of vehicle owners and they expected that management tools and office automation would greatly improve TLE. Cross border traffic was mentioned as an emerging enforcement issue, particularly among CEE countries. It includes mechanical condition of transit vehicles, control of drivers in general and of professional drivers in particular, multiple licenses, difficulties in camera based enforcement, vehicle theft and other crimes. The importance of monitoring accidents, compliance and the resources and operations of all TLE agencies was recognised by all. Reliable data are important for strategic planning of enforcement, its effective management and for accurate evaluation of its efficiency and impact. Enforcement officials express wish for (and presumably would be ready to demonstrate) devices and simple procedures for drug and alcohol detection and processing, means for automatic detection and processing of speeding and red light violations, default vehicle owner responsibility for violations, involvement in education of young drivers, and advanced office automation & management tools. Enforcement officials emphasised the need for innovation in sanctioning and not just in violation detection. There was relatively high interest or support for two approaches. On the one hand, using advanced technology, especially for speed control. On the other hand, harmonising legal requirements among countries and co-operating with TLE agencies in neighbouring countries. These approaches are actually not in conflict, but complementary. It was widely acknowledged that the full potential of technology for benefiting TLE in cross border traffic issues, speeding, professional driving and more, depends on more harmonisation of practices and co-operation among countries. It was suggested by many officials that the core issues of TLE are effective management of an organisation and changes in the basic approach to enforcement- make it more preventive and accountable. Management should start from clear goals, through specific objectives, ending in quality assurance mechanisms that include monitoring of performance indicators, at all levels of the organisation and operation. Good management practices and tools within police forces could significantly enhance their effectiveness. This view was especially strong among officials from what appear to be the more effective police forces in EU and CEE. Enforcement professionals in CEE countries have keen interest in international co-operation in the form of harmonisation of legislation, exchange of information, joint projects, and personal contacts with colleagues in CEE and EU countries. Several DP ideas were generated by researchers and enforcement officials. Twenty of these underwent more systematic definition and assessment. They were classified into four categories: violation targeting - DP that focus on largely improved or intensified enforcement of a specific non-compliance behaviour (drink- driving, speeding, and non- use of safety belts); tactical tools - DP of effective methods of field operations in already accepted enforcement areas (random breath testing, substance and impairment recognition, monitoring transit traffic, general surveillance and night operations); management tools - DP of introducing new organisational concepts and decision tools into traffic policing (performance indicators, different fine collection system, independent outcome monitoring system); strategic methods - DP of very different (at least in national context) approach to TLE, introducing new ways of influencing compliance, some not based on traditional police practices (different concept of sanctions, community based model of drink-driving control, compliance management by commercial fleet operators and by road administration, linking vehicle insurance rates to vehicle’s involvement in violations, a tailored point system, police involvement in phases of young driver training. Most DP were given a wide range of ratings. It would be inappropriate, therefore, to draw strong conclusions about which DP are best suited for EU wide application. Almost every DP has support in some countries. The practical implication for initiating demonstration projects in traffic law enforcement in EU and CEE countries is that there is a general strong interest in doing new things and in collaborating with professionals in other countries who share similar problems and objectives. (?) It is not useful at this point to rank the potential DP in terms of importance or priority (?). Many other DP can be formulated. What will determine the adoption of a DP is a complex coincidence of individual, professional, organisational, political and social readiness. A variety of DP in various areas will be beneficial for TLE as many ideas need to be developed demonstrated, and evaluated. It would at first appear that demonstration projects focusing on specific violations or on tactical tools, would For an overview off all working papers and deliverables of the ESCAPE project, see http://virtual.vtt.fi/virtual/proj6/escape/deliver.htmand core management issues. A demonstration project within a complex system such as traffic law enforcement, is usually not the first step in trying out a new idea. It is often one of the last steps in a long process that is not necessarily all that systematic and is certainly influenced by individuals with visions and power as much as by social processes and institutional choices. Traffic law enforcement officials consider police and legal systems as conservative and very slow to change. Despite their being part of these conservative organisations, many officials were willing to consider new TLE approaches and tools and, as important, were hopeful of their ability to try them out. EU programs can serve an important function in encouraging such people to take the first step in joining a new initiative, and in providing the framework for collaboration. (Author/publisher) For an overview off all working papers and deliverables, see http://virtual.vtt.fi/virtual/proj6/escape/deliver.htm
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