Are there any systems that have been successfully implemented to
eliminate the need for fire vehicles to use their sirens upon leaving
the fire station, at least for the first block or two? Such a system
might use traffic signal preemption and an agreement from the fire
department to rely primarily on signal preemption, instead of sirens.
I am looking for a successful model to show my local fire department.
(Their attitude is that any reduction of siren use would cause a
reduction in public safety.)

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Clarification of Question by jeffdent-ga on 20 Jan 2003 09:13 PST

There is an accessory that can be added to traffic signals called
Emergency Vehicle Signal Preemption.  This allows a fire truck or
ambulance to control the traffic signal as they approach an
intersection.  There are 3 types: activated by radio, infrared or
sirens. The first two have the potential to reduce the need for
sirens.  I found an academic thesis that mentions that these systems
reduce siren noise pollution, but I have found no documentary evidence
that it actually does.  Nor have I been able to find any municipality
that has implemented Emergency Vehicle Signal Preemption together with
an ordinance or agreement with the Fire Department to reduce the use
of sirens. I am looking for some evidence to show my City Council and
Fire Department that Emergency Vehicle Signal Preemption can safely
reduce the need for sirens.

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Request for Question Clarification by czh-ga on 22 Jan 2003 06:29 PST

Hello jeffdent-ga,

This has been a frustrating search. I don’t think pursuing the
Emergency Vehicle Signal Preemption use will provide you with the
supporting documentation you’re looking for. Some of these
technologies even use the sirens to trigger the light change. If you
want to pursue more information on EVSP, it might be best to seek
information from the manufacturers of these systems. Would providing
you with contact information for these companies help answer this
question?

I think you also might want to take another tack on this problem. I’ve
started some research on “noise pollution” to see if any communities
have taken action along these lines. I’ve found some resources that
might be of use to you. Would this avenue of research satisfy your
question?

I look forward to your clarifications. I’d like to help you gain some
peace and quiet.

czh

Hi jeffdent-ga,

Though I haven't looked for the information on this, I have a
recollection that Washington DC has used some similar technology --
but for a different purpose.  Ambulances were having trouble getting
to hospitals because cars would get out of the way.  So they installed
a "garage door opener" type of technology in ambulances that would
allow drivers to change some traffic lights to a green signal --
allowing the traffic to move.  Not exactly what you are asking for --
but I hope it might help.

Scott
scottso-ga

I do not believe you will find the model you seek, for these two reasons:

1. Traffic signal right-of-way systems like 3M's Opticom type are in
use all over the place, usually without people even being aware they
are there. But they are not intended to replace the requirement to use
audible signals at intersections. In fact, audible signalling becomes
significantly more important where these systems are in use because
pre-emption of the traffic signals interrupts the normal periodic
cycle of the lights, increasing the likelihood of someone running a
red light. The same is true at fire stations: many stations already
have control of nearby traffic lights, or additional flashing traffic
signals on either side of the station (if it's not at an
intersection), but these are operated at-will, without any regularity,
so audible signals are seen as necessary for drawing as much attention
as possible to the event (the trucks emerging).

2. The purpose of the sirens is not just to stop traffic in front of
the station, but to alert all vehicles AND PEDESTRIANS in the area
around the station that emergency vehicle equipment is about to pass
through at speed. Many fire stations even have a "house siren", which
can be quite large (basically the same as an air raid type), one
purpose of which is to alert people even sooner (as the bay doors are
opening) and over a wider area. In many cases these big sirens were
also used to call volunteer firefighters. A lot of house sirens have
been shut down due to noise complaints, in favor of the use of the
smaller sirens on the trucks for street clearing and pagers to call
the extra firemen, where applicable.

-Adam