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It is next to impossible for an emergency

vehicle driver to be assured that all the

traffic at an intersection is aware he is

proceeding through the intersection. New

soundproof cars and louder stereo systems

often override the awareness of a siren. Our

emergency vehicle drivers rely on emergency

vehicle preemption to improve their response

safety and the safety to the public.”

—Ray Digby, Fire Chief, Nanaimo, Canada

Rapid growth in our nation’s cities has

significantly increased traffic congestion at

major intersections. To improve emergency

vehicle response times and safety, as well as

to resolve the challenges that extended

rush-hour commutes and gridlock situations

present to drivers of emergency vehicles,

communities are turning to emergency

vehicle preemption systems for traffic

signals.

“We can provide a better response time to

fire and emergency medical service (EMS)

vehicles en route to an emergency. We’re

equipping our signalized intersections with

emergency vehicle preemption, a system that

enables the drivers of fire and EMS vehicles

to change red lights to green, moving them

more efficiently through intersections.”

—Tom Outlaw, Deputy Assistant Director,

Traffic and Transportation Division,

Houston Public Works and Engineering

Department

Emergency vehicle preemption allows fire

trucks and ambulances to intervene in the

normal operation of traffic control systems

using wireless communications installed on

traffic intersections and emergency vehicles.

As the emergency vehicle approaches a

traffic signal, it is recognized by the traffic

signal controller through light, radio waves,

or sound. The normal green-yellow-and-red

cycle can then be interrupted to change the

light to green.

Nationwide, officials experienced in

emergency vehicle preemption are praising

the rewards of this system.

“The benefits in terms of improved response

times and safety are highly desirable. We

believe emergency vehicle preemption for

ambulances and fire trucks is of significant

value to warrant its application.”

—George Human, Transportation

Director, Richardson, Texas

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Consider the costs to city budgets of one

traffic incident involving an emergency

vehicle. The scene of the emergency loses

its critically needed assistance, and a second

crisis is created. Additional local or nearby

emergency vehicles must be dispatched to

both scenes, straining limited resources and

increasing the chances for yet another

incident.

Emergency vehicle preemption increases:

• The area that emergency vehicles can

cover in required response times

• Safety of emergency vehicle personnel

and the public

And reduces:

• Costs of replacing emergency vehicles

damaged in crashes

• Legal liability of public agencies when

motorists are injured

Fairfax County, Virginia

O

“The highest rate of return for an investment

is when lives are saved. We know our AVL

[Automatic Vehicle Location] and vehicle

preemption systems have saved lives.”

—John Nelson, Phoenix City Councilman