User Guide to Warning Lights and Sirens for Emergency Vehicle Warning Systems

摘要

The subject of visual and auditory warning devices (lights and sirens) for emergency and service vehicles is surveyed from a broad perspective. It is intended that this user guide should provide directly useful information at all levels from the selection of hardware to an understanding of the psychophysical factors determining the effectiveness of these devices. Topics covered include: the theory of warning signals; the present situation and the need for uniform national standards; suggested performance standards for warning light systems and for sirens, including the reasons for the principle requirements; recommendations for actions that can be taken to improve the signal effectiveness of emergency vehicles; an illustrated classification of the many types of emergency-vehicle warning lights; and brief summaries of some of the physical measurements that were made on a selection of lights and sirens.