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Applied gives traffic priority to firefighters

Deployments have shown time savings for first responders of 10 seconds per light 
By Ben Spencer April 23, 2021 Read time: 2 mins
Applied tech will help firefighters arrive at a scene safely and quickly (image courtesy of City of Evansville, IN)

Connected vehicle technology from Applied Information is to give firefighter vehicles preemptive green lights at traffic signals in Evansville, Indiana, as part of a $4 million deal. 

Applied and project partner Traffic Control Corporation of Woodridge will install the technology at 230 traffic signals in the US city and on 40 emergency vehicles. 

The technology uses LTE Cellular Vehicle to Everything connectivity, with redundant 900MHz radio, which enables emergency vehicles to communicate with multiple traffic signals in the direction of travel and change the light to green or hold the light green.

Applies says traffic in front of the emergency vehicle is kept moving while oncoming and cross-traffic is brought safely to a halt.

Deployments in other cities indicate a time savings of about 10 seconds or more per light using the technology, the company adds. 

Paul Anslinger, assistant fire chief of the Evansville Fire Department, says: “Deploying the preemption system will help to ensure our firefighters get to the scene safely and quickly, as well as safeguard the public we are sworn to protect and serve.”

John S. Lizzadro, Jr., president of Traffic Control Corporation, says: “Assistant Chief Anslinger and the city of Evansville are taking leadership roles in Indiana by deploying the latest smart cities, connected vehicle technology that will help save lives on a daily basis.”

The deployment is scheduled to be completed this autumn. 
 

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