Hamilton considers tech that can override traffic lights for emergency vehicles – Hamilton | 24CA News
As many main visitors corridors in Hamilton, Ont., see security changes and adjustments for an incoming Light Rail Transit (LRT) venture, town is taking a look at expertise to make sure ambulances and hearth vans can navigate via probably congested streets.
Emergency Vehicle Pre-emption (EVP) is now being studied by metropolis workers who’re assessing the deserves of the tech permitting emergency automobiles to override regular visitors gentle operations by switching them from pink to inexperienced or vice versa.
“When they approach a signalized intersection, the vehicle sends a signal which tells the traffic signal in the intersection that they are coming and change the signal … to a colour in their favour,” Director of Transportation Operations Mike Field defined.
That short-range radio management permits emergency crews to effectively cross via intersections, chopping name instances and decreasing the chance of a crash.
An identical idea has been employed for years throughout quite a lot of main cities within the type of controls for hearth station exits, permitting hearth automobiles to cross via indicators unhindered when wanted.
Burlington and Mississauga have their very own variations of the idea whereas Winnipeg has put out proposals for a contractor to tackle a one-year EVP pilot venture.
Field says components of the decrease metropolis could be the preliminary goal for EVP set up as a result of chance of elevated visitors disruptions in the course of the building of the LRT.
However, he additionally sees advantages in implementing it city-wide.
With the proposal in its “infancy,” the price of the expertise is unknown.
“There’s a whole bunch of options out there that could make EVP work, and each one of those options comes with a different cost,” Field mentioned.
A report is predicted to be offered to metropolis councillors for consideration early in 2024.
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