Equipment triggers traffic lights for rescue vehicles

Published: April 9, 2007 | 5932nd good news item since 2003

Janesville fire officials hope to arrive at emergencies more quickly and safely thanks to new traffic signal pre-emption equipment activated March 1.

“There have been a few issues, but for the most part, it seems to be working very well,” said Jim Jensen, deputy chief.

The equipment, which has been installed on 50 traffic signals at intersections throughout the city, is intended to shorten response times and improve safety for the department by giving emergency vehicles green lights all the way to an emergency.

“I’m optimistic we’ll see some reductions in response time. But it’s too early to tell,” Jensen said.

The project cost just under $400,000.

Funding included a $320,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and $80,000 borrowed by the city.

“We stretched the money as far as we could,” Jensen said.

Initially, the goal was to install equipment on 75 traffic signals. But wiring problems were found at some intersections and workers discovered that some of the signals didn’t have controllers, Jensen said.

“So the money didn’t go as far as we hoped,” he said.

The project took place in phases for nearly one year.

“Not many other communities have taken on a project this size,” Jensen said.

Now that the equipment has been in use for a couple weeks, ambulance and engine drivers have discovered minor problems.

“The emitter needs to be turned on only when the emergency lights are on. Otherwise, it will continue to activate the signal,” Jensen said.

Emitters mounted on emergency vehicles send a signal to a receiver on the traffic lights to switch the signal to green for the emergency vehicle.

“So now, when the emergency vehicle is in park, it is wired so the emitter shuts off. It’s all set up to happen automatically electronically,” Jensen said.

Some of the signal detectors also need to be adjusted.

“It’s an aiming issue,” Jensen said.

And some timing issues also are being worked out.

“We don’t want to activate too soon or the system will re-active,” Jensen said.

About two dozen traffic signals still need to be upgraded with pre-emption equipment.

That could happen this year for 10 traffic signals downtown, Jensen said.

The remaining signals are at less-traveled intersections and will be taken care of when money becomes available, Jensen said. And when new intersections are built, pre-emption equipment will be installed along with new traffic lights.

Published in Science & Technology
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