I need this answer as soon as anyone can give it to me -- ambulances and fire trucks use devices to switch red lights to green so they can get through in a hurry -- what are those thingies called? Pre-emptor is the word I was given, but that doesn't come up in any internet searches.
Anyone?
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Usually around here they just drive through red lights with all lights a blazing and sirens going.
Wouldn't it be dangerous to change the light to green like that?
Posted by Spaceman (Member # 8107) on :
Why don't you call the non-emergency number for the fire department, tell them you are a writer, and ask them?
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
In some major cities they do have devices that turn the lights to green for the emergency vehicles. It has proven safer since it does so in a controlled (yellow Red) way and doesn't completely rely on cross traffic drivers actually paying attention to the road.
However some people were making and selling home made versions. This is dangerous (and highly illegal)
But I don't know their official names.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Actually, what they do is change it to red in all directions and then go through with lights and sirens. I don't know what the thingie is called, but I do remember a stink a couple of years ago when someone started selling them on the internet.
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
Opticom is the word professionals use in casual language to refer to both.
HTH
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Oh yes, and they turn the light they're facing green and the rest red most of the time. They can be set to change them all red, but usually are not set up like that.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
They use the deviced here. When I've been nearby one to see it, traffic in the direction of the emergency vehicle(s) and incoming traffice (i.e. north-south or east-west) gets an abbreviated green to allow the emergency crews through. I assume that it is when the pre-emptive device moves out of range of the signal control that the normal signals are restored.
On ours, we have a small white light mounted on the crossbar between two sets of colored signal lights. Often times that white light being on is an earlier gauge to me of when someone's coming in hot than being able to hear the sirens.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
In Birmingham they're all set up on what are called "routes". When an emergency vehicle is headed somewhere and needs the lights changed, they call the dispatcher and say something like "Rescue 16 requests Route 3" and the dispatch does it for them.
Posted by whiskysunrise (Member # 6819) on :
Is that what those are for? I have seen them here and wondered what they were for.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Hmmm... never heard of it before -- even though I drove an ambulance for many years.
Guess Kansas isn't big enough to need them -- we just blaze through red lights with lights & siren going -- and people are supposed to stop.....
FG
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
I believe the way it works is that the device is mounted on an emergency vehicle. It strobes at X times per second. The newer traffic signals are set to recognize this flashing, which tells the signal to change to green this way, yellow then red all other directions.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Well, in Birmingham the vehicles aren't equipped, it's controlled at dispatch.
It's going to vary from city to city, I think.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
But if you're a writer, you can make it work whatever way you want in the city you make up.
So, Opticom would probably be the word Leonide wants. Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
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