In order to improve safety while its members respond to calls, the Plainsboro Fire Department is looking to purchase equipment that will allow crews to change traffic signals at three key intersections within the township.
The department is looking to purchase a traffic pre-emptive control system known as the Opticom Infrared System, which would also improve response times.
According to Fire Chief Doug Vorp, the system operates through an infrared monitor that is mounted to the emergency vehicles, which sends out an infrared signal to a device mounted near the traffic light, prior to the intersection.
“Based on the direction of travel, it turns three of the four directions of the intersection to red and turns our direction that we’re traveling in to green so that we can arrive at the intersection and pass through,” Vorp explained. “Our primary focus is a safety perspective. It gives us a safer route of travel. These are large intersections that we’ve had trouble with in the past.”
Because of traffic or driver distractions, sometimes drivers cannot hear or see the emergency vehicles and they pass directly in front of them, Vorp said. The device does not automatically change the lights from green to red. “It runs the light through its normal cycle, but it speeds up the process a bit. The ones that are red already will just hold red longer, and the other side will go from yellow to red,” Vorp added.
“This particular system is being encouraged by the fire company and could also be used by the rescue squad or police department as appropriate,” said Deputy Mayor Neil Lewis.
There are three intersections officials are targeting for use of the device: Dey and Scudders Mill roads; Schalks Crossing and Scudders Mill roads; and the connector road and Scudders Mill Road intersection, said Lewis.
Lewis said he has seen the devices used in Pennsylvania and has experienced first-hand its effectiveness. “The light changed as the vehicle approached the intersection,” said Lewis. “I saw the emergency vehicle, and it immediately switched to red in my direction.”
“It puts everything on red so the emergency vehicle has the right of way,” said Lewis. “It does remove the additional hazard of emergency vehicles that are moving at a rapid rate to try to get to a person who needs them quickly.”
Vorp said the fire district would purchase the equipment through its operating budget. For three intersections, the equipment will cost about $50,000, he said.
“We’re looking to hopefully start moving and start the approval process,” he said, adding that it will probably start at the end of July or beginning of August. “It will take a couple of months to work its way through the approval process.”
