Emergency vehicles now feature GPS-integrated devices working over both 900MHz radio and cellular technology to communicate with traffic signals. Emergency vehicles can now request traffic signals to change or hold green in the direction they are traveling while responding to a call at a much greater distance from the signal, which allows stopped traffic ahead of the vehicle to be cleared at signals prior to its arrival. Emergency vehicles can now maintain higher average speeds, allowing first responders to get to their destination faster and more safely. Conflicting vehicles are brought safely to a stop at all-red traffic signals, , helping reduce the chance of a collision and improving the drivers’ awareness of approaching emergency vehicles.

The most reported benefits of using a GPS-based system include improved response times, improved safety, and cost savings.

Traffic signals generate valuable data that multiple departments continue to use to improve traffic planning, infrastructure decisions, and emergency vehicle deployment. Cary’s traffic signals can now communicate with motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists, giving them real time audio notifications via the Travel Safely smartphone app. Some of the notifications users are informed about are signals that are turning red, pedestrians in a crosswalk, how much time remains before the light turns green, approaching emergency vehicles, and when to share the road with cyclists.

Solar-powered communication units have been installed at school zone beacons, allowing staff to modify them according to school schedules, unexpected closures, and weather events. These changes can be made remotely to reduce response time and increase safety for drivers, pedestrians, and Cary staff. These connected devices also have the ability to alert drivers if they are speeding in a school zone when using the TravelSafely app.

The communication units are also installed in rectangular rapid-flashing beacon crosswalks. Through the TravelSafely app, motorists are notified of pedestrians and cyclists crossing the street.

To connect with the power of Cary’s connected vehicle Smart City features, downloading the TravelSafely app allows you to receive notifications from nearby traffic signals, school zone beacons, rapid flashing beacon crosswalks, railroad crossings and emergency vehicles in realtime. This connectivity delivers an extra layer of awareness and improved safety for all modes of transportation.

Whether you’re driving, biking, or just walking, using the TravelSafely app helps make a better and safer commuting experience for everyone.

 

As part of the Connected Vehicle Project, Cary is piloting a Transit Signal Priority (TSP) program to evaluate the potential benefits for GoCary buses. A select number of buses are equipped with technology that lets them communicate with traffic signals. When activated, the TSP modifies traffic signal timing when transit vehicles are present and are behind schedule. TSP can be a powerful tool to improve both reliability and travel time, especially on corridor streets with long signal cycles and distances between signals.

The TravelSafely app is a continuously-evolving platform that is actively being integrated into other vendor apps.  When new features become available, we will share them with the public.