Emergency vehicle preemption systems (EVPS) in Saudi Arabia
An emergency vehicle preemption system gives ambulances, fire trucks and other response vehicles a green signal as they approach a junction, and holds the conflicting movements on red. X Arena supplies, installs, integrates and maintains EVPS for signalised intersections across Saudi Arabia, from our office in Jubail in the Eastern Province.
Preemption has two aims: a shorter and more predictable journey for the response vehicle, and a safer crossing of the junction for its crew and for other road users. It works only when the detection of the vehicle, the logic in the signal controller and the return to normal operation are engineered together.
How preemption works
Detecting the vehicle
Equipment on the vehicle announces its approach, and equipment at the junction or in the central system recognises the request and its direction.
Changing the signals safely
The controller ends the running phase with its normal safety intervals, then serves the approach of the emergency vehicle.
Holding the green
The green is held until the vehicle has passed or the request ends.
Returning to normal
After the request the controller returns to its plan and to coordination with the neighbouring junctions.
Detection technologies
GPS and radio systems
The vehicle sends its position, speed and heading by radio, so that the junction is requested at the right distance and does not need a line of sight.
Optical and infrared systems
An emitter on the vehicle sends a coded signal to a detector at the junction. This approach is simple and widely used.
Centralised priority
Where junctions are connected to a traffic management system, a green corridor can be prepared along the planned route.
Transit signal priority
The same infrastructure can give a lower level of priority to buses, to improve their punctuality without stopping other traffic for long.
Our scope of work
Assessment and design
Review of the junctions, controllers and routes of the response stations, and selection of the suitable technology.
Supply and installation
Junction detectors, vehicle units, cabinet interface cards and cabling.
Controller programming
Preemption phases, timings and recovery are programmed and tested in each controller.
Testing, training and maintenance
Drive tests with the response vehicles, training of the users, and periodic checks of the equipment.
Frequently asked questions about EVPS
What is EVPS?
EVPS stands for emergency vehicle preemption system. It interrupts the normal operation of a traffic signal to give a green signal to an approaching emergency vehicle and a red signal to the conflicting movements.
What is the difference between preemption and priority?
Preemption interrupts the signal plan to serve an emergency vehicle at once. Priority, used for buses, only adjusts the plan, for example by extending a green for a few seconds.
Does EVPS work with existing traffic signal controllers?
Most modern controllers have preemption inputs. We check the controller type and the cabinet of each junction and define what is needed to connect the system.
Which vehicles can use the system?
Only vehicles that the operating authority has authorised and equipped. Requests are coded and can be logged, so that every use is recorded.
Does X Arena install EVPS across Saudi Arabia?
Yes. X Arena supplies, installs and maintains emergency vehicle preemption systems throughout Saudi Arabia. Our office is in Jubail, Eastern Province.
Related services: Traffic Light Systems · Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) Solutions · NEMA/EU/UK Cabinets · Video Detection Systems
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