Critical vehicles delayed in traffic—is there a solution?

Communities all over the world face the common challenge of expanding populations, increasing vehicular traffic—and the resulting roadway congestion. The challenge is magnified for those critical agencies that must respond to emergencies or provide timely, reliable transit service.

Even with the desire and means to invest heavily in infrastructure, communities are often faced with physical or political factors that limit what they can do to mitigate traffic congestion. As a result, they must look to technology solutions that help maximize the effectiveness of their existing transportation systems. With over 35 years of proven results, Global Traffic Technologies (GTT) has been the industry leader in addressing this challenge for communities around the globe.

GTT is the world leader in providing state-of-the-art solutions for getting critical personnel through congested intersections fast. Its hallmark innovation Opticom^TM Priority Control Solutions, combines the two pillars of traffic management-emergency vehicle preemption and transit signal priority-to give fire, police, emergency medical services, mass transit and VIP motorcade vehicles the green light to get through congested intersections as quickly and safely as possible.

Opticom^TM Priority Control Solutions at work.

Congested intersections can mean frustrating or even dangerous delays for emergency response vehicles, police, busses and VIP motorcades.

Under normal operation all the vehicles approaching an intersection, including police, fire, mass transit and VIP motorcades, are subject to the normal pacing of traffic lights. In an emergency, the time it takes for a first response vehicle to arrive at its destination can often mean the difference between life and death. In the event of an evacuation, traffic congestion can lead to mass chaos. And if mass transit is no more efficient than driving a car, it is difficult for cities to convince drivers to give up their vehicles for busses and trains.

When activated, the Opticom priority control system gives VIP motorcades, fire, EMS, law enforcement and transit vehicles the green light so they can move through intersections quickly and safely. 

Opticom Priority Control Solutions combine in-vehicle and at-intersection hardware with feature-rich software to give vehicles that need it most the green light. It works like this: 

• As a vehicle approaches a signaled intersection, equipment mounted within it monitors its location and broadcasts a secure, encoded request to detection equipment at the intersection

• Intersection detection equipment communicates with a priority request generator in the traffic cabinet

• The priority request generator validates the request and alerts the traffic control system that the vehicle would like priority

• Traffic control system software processes the request and provides a priority green light for the approaching vehicle through normal traffic operations

• The advance notice given by the Opticom system provides sufficient green time for traffic to clear the intersection ahead of the approaching vehicle

• Integrated central management software remotely manages the priority control system by updating system configuration, collecting data and generating reports for monitoring system operation and maintenance requirements

Providing a faster, safer passage through congestion is enough for many cities to consider implementing a priority control system. But a robust, interoperable solution from GTT offers dramatic, long-term benefits:

• For emergency management agencies, Opticom Priority Control Solutions have been proven to reduce intersection crash rates by up to 70%, cut response times by up to 25% and lower the capital investment needed to service a geographical area.

• For transit operations, Opticom Priority Control Solutions have been shown to lower fuel consumption by up to 19%, reduce transit delays by up to 40%, increase bus ridership by up to 10% and cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30%.

To find out how your city agencies can experience results like these, visit www.gtt.com/me or email intl@gtt.com.

About Global Traffic Technologies, LLC

Global Traffic Technologies (GTT) provides innovative traffic management systems that increase safety, minimize traffic congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while maximizing resource efficiency and return on investment. Over 1,500 communities worldwide depend on GTT's Opticom^TM Priority Control Solutions for emergency vehicle preemption and transit signal priority; or GTT's Canoga^TM Traffic Sensing Systems for traffic management. GTT utilizes more than 35 years of industry experience, patented technologies and strategic partnerships to help our customers achieve seamless interoperability across public safety, transit and traffic management infrastructure. GTT (www.gtt.com/me) is a privately held company, headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., that includes senior management ownership.