The Opticom Emergency Vehicle Pre-emption (EVP) system works alongside intersection controllers to ensure fire rescue vehicles can move through intersections rapidly and safely.

In Cape Canaveral, the existing Opticom GPS system will be expanded. Twelve additional fire rescue vehicles and six more intersections will be equipped with Opticom components.

The Opticom GPS-enabled system allows for wireless communications between authorised emergency vehicles and the intersections they approach. When an emergency vehicle needs to navigate an intersection quickly and safely, a request is sent to the intersection’s traffic controller ahead of its arrival, turning the light green and clearing a path to enable the vehicle’s safe passage.

Cape Canaveral is known globally as home to the Kennedy Space Center, which lies to the north of the city. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were all carried out from the space centre.

GTT president Doug Roberts said, “We are thrilled to work with the City of Cape Canaveral to help improve operational safety, reduce travel time to emergencies and increase the safety of both the public and fire service personnel.”