The Institute of Transportation (IOT) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said that it is using 5G technology to adjust traffic signaling systems so that ambulances, fire trucks and other rescue vehicles could quickly reach their destinations without getting stuck in traffic.
Although ambulances and fire trucks have priority access on roads and are exempt from following
traffic signals when they are on duty, they could still be stranded in traffic when there is traffic congestion.
Photo: Taipei Times file
IOT Director-General Lin Chi-kuo (林繼國) said in a news conference in Taipei that one of the institute’s main tasks this year is to enhance rescue vehicles’ ability to quickly pass through busy intersections.
“When a rescue vehicle is called upon, the sensor installed in the vehicle would be activated. It would send the estimated route and the time needed for the vehicle to
arrive at the designated locations to the 5G Smart Technology Digital Center Network, which would then remotely control the traffic signals along the route before the vehicle arrives at intersections,” Lin said.
“The system allows rescue vehicles and other vehicles going in the same direction to drive through intersections quickly by timing the green lights longer. Traffic lights on the other side of the intersections would stay red for longer as well,” Lin said.
The system can also analyze any abnormality in traffic flow and respond to any changes in measures to facilitate traffic, Lin said, adding that the system would help expedite the passage of ambulances in intersections in Taichung first.
The city in central Taiwan was chosen because it was open to trialling the system, and it is technically feasible, Lin said.
The system would be used in fire trucks and other rescue vehicles as well, he said.
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