Skip to main content

National City deploys new signal preemtion technology

National City, in San Diego county, California, has installed Opticom multimode signal equipment to enhance safety and provide more efficient traffic signal preemption and management. Currently, more than 70 intersections are equipped with infrared (IR) signal priority technology, most of which are Opticom devices. This allows emergency responders to activate green lights en route to their destination. With the new multimode technology installed at eight intersections, traffic signals can be triggered using
April 19, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSNational City, in San Diego county, California, has installed Opticom multimode signal equipment to enhance safety and provide more efficient traffic signal preemption and management. Currently, more than 70 intersections are equipped with infrared (IR) signal priority technology, most of which are Opticom devices. This allows emergency responders to activate green lights en route to their destination. With the new multimode technology installed at eight intersections, traffic signals can be triggered using IR or global positioning system (GPS) activation technology for even more control and efficiency.

"The National City landscape is unique, with steep hills and winding roads," said Mayor Ron Morrison. "GPS allows our emergency responders to trigger green signals from significantly further distances away from intersections. It will enhance safety for our citizens and emergency responders. And it will help us save lives."

The technology allows staff to monitor Opticom equipped intersections remotely in real-time for more efficient system management. Its central management software (CMS) offers remote monitoring capabilities to minimise the need for time-consuming trips to the intersections, which in turn reduces maintenance costs.

Related Content

  • Delcan touts award-winning ICM project at ITS America
    April 22, 2013
    Delcan is the systems integrator for a major integrated corridor management (ICM) pilot site being highlighted by the US DOT. The San Diego ICM project, led by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), has deployed an advanced system designed to manage and optimise all available infrastructure, routes and modes in a pro-active, coordinated manner. The project won the Best of ITS Award presented at the opening plenary
  • New multi-modal signal system from Econolite
    August 11, 2014
    Econolite Group, partnering with the University of Arizona, has deployed a Multi-Modal Intelligent Traffic Signal System (MMITSS) – a connected vehicle research initiative sponsored by Arizona’s Maricopa County Department of Transportation SmartDrive Program and its partners.
  • Mexico’s Durango-Mazatlan highway sets tunnel safety standard
    September 14, 2016
    Mauro Nogarin looks at the management of the longer tunnels on Mexico’s Durango-Mazatlan highway. In recent years the National Infrastructure Fund of Mexico has increased investment in the installation of ITS systems on selected highways to increase road safety. One such major investment is the 230km long Durango-Mazatlan highway which is 12m in width and has an average speed of 110km/h.
  • Bridging the highway travel information gap
    March 14, 2012
    A new traffic management solution is attempting to bridge the gap in information available on freeways and arterial roadways. Andrew Bardin Williams reports. Agencies responsible for national networks of roads around the world have the ability to measure, analyse and disseminate accurate travel information to drivers. Millions of dollars go into data collection infrastructure to collect traffic congestion and travel time information on major freeways or highways. For example, a driver on the I-210 in the Lo