Emergency responders get the green light at awards

A project that interrupts traffic signals to provide green lights for emergency responders has won an industry award.

The Department of Community Safety in conjunction with Transport and Main Roads and Transmax, was awarded the Queensland 2013 iAward in the Service Domain – Government Category for its Emergency Vehicle Priority (EVP) Project.

Police and Community Safety Minister Jack Dempsey said the technology enhanced the safety of both frontline officers and the community, while reducing travel time for ambulance and fire vehicles responding to an incident.

“When an ambulance or fire engine approaches a set of traffic lights with its siren going, the EVP detects the vehicle and changes the traffic light to green when it is safe to do so,” Mr Dempsey said.

“The EVP project has been trialled around south east Queensland for the past eight months and has already shown improvements in travel time of between 10 and 20 per cent along major routes.

“There are now plans to expand into other parts of the State so Queenslanders can continue to benefit from a fast and effective emergency service.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said every second mattered in an emergency.

“This cutting-edge technology enhances the safety of our frontline officers and the community, while reducing the travel time of ambulance and fire vehicles travelling to an incident,” Mr Emerson said.

“The trial included about 20 emergency vehicles and more than 40 traffic signals, equating to around 450 emergency vehicle trips receiving priority every month.

“It is clear by this award just how well received the trial has been and I look forward to seeing the future of the program in Queensland.”

[ENDS] 14 June 2013

Media Contact:         

Minister Dempsey’s office:     Alexandra Foley         0418 256 910

Minister Emerson’s office:      Stephanie Shield         0418 186 625