The EMTRAC System: Advanced Traffic Signal Preemption for Emergency Vehicles

Joseph Craven
2 min readAug 30, 2024

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The EMTRAC system is a leading solution for traffic signal preemption for emergency vehicles, offering unmatched reliability, safety, and efficiency through advanced GNSS technology and secure wireless communication. For over 30 years, the EMTRAC system has set the standard in intelligent transportation, ensuring that emergency vehicles receive timely and effective signal preemption.

Traffic signal preemption for emergency vehicles is a critical feature for modern traffic management systems. The EMTRAC system enables emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars, to navigate intersections swiftly by preempting traffic signals. This capability significantly reduces response times, improves overall public safety, and enhances the effectiveness of emergency services.

EMTRAC-equipped vehicles continuously monitor real-time conditions to determine if traffic signal preemption is necessary. When required, the system automatically transmits a preemption request to the relevant traffic signal controller, ensuring a green light for the approaching emergency vehicle. This seamless integration with existing traffic infrastructure enhances the efficiency of emergency response operations.

Several factors influence whether a traffic signal preemption request is granted, including the type of emergency, the vehicle’s location and speed, and current traffic conditions. The EMTRAC system’s advanced algorithms account for these variables, ensuring that preemption is granted judiciously and effectively. This automatic process eliminates the need for driver intervention, allowing operators to focus on their primary responsibilities.

The inclusion of Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology further elevates the EMTRAC system’s capabilities. C-V2X enables precise and secure communication between vehicles and traffic signals, ensuring that preemption requests are processed quickly and accurately. This technology supports real-time data exchange, which is essential for effective traffic signal preemption for emergency vehicles.

In addition to improving emergency response times, the EMTRAC system also contributes to overall traffic safety. By providing emergency vehicles with a clear path through intersections, the system reduces the risk of accidents involving other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

In conclusion, the EMTRAC system, with its advanced GNSS technology, secure wireless communication, and integration of C-V2X, sets the benchmark for traffic signal preemption for emergency vehicles. By improving response times, safety, and operational efficiency, EMTRAC continues to lead the way in modernizing transportation systems and promoting public safety. As cities expand and the demand for efficient traffic management grows, the EMTRAC system’s role in providing effective traffic signal preemption for emergency vehicles becomes increasingly critical. Contact the EMTRAC system for the Transit Signal Preemption (TSP) program by phone: (214) 607–0100, Mobile: (618) 316–4633, or visit: https://www.emtracsystems.com

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