(MENAFN- The Peninsula) A new electronic system has been implemented at intersections across the city that allows emergency vehicles to pass through easily by turning the traffic lights green.
The Emergency Vehicle Pre-Emption System (EVPS) has already been activated at 30 intersections in different areas of the city in the first phase of the initiative. Fifteen ambulances and 10 civil defence vehicles are equipped with remote controller devices that can control traffic lights.
In the second phase of the project, the smart system will be installed at 50 more intersections, said Aziz Al Sada, Head of Safety Operations and Traffic Control in the Roads Maintenance Department at Ashghal addressing a press conference. It will help reduce response time to emergencies and enhance traffic safety.
The EVPS is a GPS based system on the traffic lights which receives signals from the emergency vehicle unit. These devices request green light pre-emption hundreds of meters ahead the arrival of the emergency vehicle. These devices also work on stopping cross streets traffic in front of the approaching emergency vehicle.
Drivers of ambulance or civil defence car will press a button on the remote control to open the traffic light on their way and thus, ease the traffic flow ahead of them. Then the rest of the traffic signals in the intersection will turn red before opening the way for the emergency vehicles. The system works through sensors installed in both the vehicles and the traffic lights.
Ashghal is responsible for implementation and development of the EVPS, in coordination with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the General Directorate of Civil Defence. Ashghal had begun installing the system in last April.
Intersections at busy roads and nearby hospitals have been given priority. "Drivers of emergency vehicles have received training on how to use this new system and cases that require its use. A committee was formed as well including members of Ashghal, the General Directorate of Civil Defence, and Hamad Medical Corporation. This committee monitors the use of the system, evaluates it, and makes recommendations and suggestions aiming at improving its performance," said Al Sada.
Lt Col Jamal Jaafar Al Ajmi, Assistant Director of the operations department at the General Directorate for Civil Defense and Brendon David Morris, Executive Director of the HMC Ambulance Service were also present at the press conference.
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