Urbandale expands Opticom Emergency Vehicle Preemption system

The city of Urbandale in Iowa has expanded its Opticom GPS-enabled traffic preemption solution from Global Traffic Technologies (GTT). The system works alongside intersection controllers to help ensure emergency vehicles can move through intersections quickly and safely.

When an emergency vehicle needs to navigate an intersection, the Opticom Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) system onboard the emergency vehicle sends a request to the intersection’s controller ahead of its arrival. If the request is granted, the light turns green and the vehicle gets a clear path through the intersection. In Urbandale, the city has expanded the existing EVP system to include 37 of its busiest intersections. The system is currently utilized by fire vehicles, with plans for police to also come on-board in time. This will allow fire and police vehicles to respond to incidents even faster, and to avoid the danger of navigating an intersection against the flow of traffic.

Urbandale is located in the Polk and Dallas counties in Iowa, to the northwest of the Des Moines metro area. Home to around 40,000 residents, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the city’s incorporation.

GTT’s president Jason Lund said, “GTT is delighted to continue our relationship with the city of Urbandale and its fire and police departments. The expanded system will help improve response times and operational safety for emergency vehicles and personnel.”