Concepts of Signal Control Preemption for Emergency Vehicles in Connected Vehicle Environments

Abstract

Connected Vehicles (CV) share information among themselves and with the infrastructure, which contains parameters such as location, speed, acceleration, heading, and the status of majority of vehicle systems. This paper assesses an algorithm for emergency vehicles preemption, which aims to prioritize emergency vehicles through signalized intersections, while minimizing negative impacts on other vehicular traffic. The algorithm is based on the constant exchange of information, such as the expected arrival time based on accurate coordinates and speed of emergency vehicles, and the current signal status at the downstream intersection. The algorithms are created and tested in VISSIM microsimulation on a test-case network consisting of ten signalized intersections along State Street in Salt Lake City, Utah. The proposed algorithm can reduce delays of emergency vehicles at signalized intersections by up to 36 % and increase their speeds in excess of 50% along busy urban corridors, with minimal impacts on other vehicular traffic.