Ergonomists from Loughborough University’s Design School have won a prestigious award for their development of the UK’s first nation-wide unified livery for police vehicles.

Research into the livery – a yellow and blue block ‘Battenburg’ design – was commissioned by the Home Office in a bid to enhance the safety of police officers and members of the public.  Other emergency services across the country have adopted the design, and it is also being used in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and Hong Kong.

This is the first time an academic institution has won the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (IEHF) Ergonomics Design Award, recognising the Design School’s world-leading expertise in this field.

Loughborough’s Sharon Cook, part of the project team, said: “Prior to our work each police force used to have their own, individual marking livery for their force vehicles.  An implication of this was that across the national motorway network there was a lack of consistency as to the visual representation of a police vehicle.

“The UK Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) commissioned Loughborough University to undertake the required research to develop the country’s first national police vehicle livery.

“We are delighted that our work on this project has been recognised by the IEHF and this prestigious award.”

John Wood, Chairman of the award judges and Executive Chairman of CCD Design and Ergonomics added: “We’re delighted to have a worthy winner of this year’s competition.  The livery developed by Loughborough Design School has already been adopted here in the UK, and there is significant overseas interest too.”

The judging panel included senior representatives from the Design Council, Royal Society of Arts (RSA), and Which Magazine as well as continuing to enjoy the support of the Chartered Society of Designers.  The Award attracted a very broad range of entries from both the business and non-commercial sectors.

Loughborough’s winning team will receive a cash prize at the award ceremony taking place in April, as well the opportunity to present their work at the conference and membership of the IEHF for a year.

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