Always green at traffic lights - for emergency vehicles

摘要

A modern preemption system is able to force traffic lights green for emergency vehicles in every intersection and all of the directions. At Oulu Region, which is located in northern Finland, the street and road authorities and the department for rescue services have planned and acquired a cost-efficient system that does just that and controls traffic cameras automatically as well. Currently forced green is given in 160 intersections to 30 vehicles. Feedback has been very positive and the system is expanding to cover two provinces in the next two years including several cities, departments for rescue services and hospital districts. Although all of the devices and some of the software are generic there is a groundbreaking new method behind the success and the authorities are on the driver's seat.