Emergency Vehicle Priority (EVP) system

The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics is trialling an emergency vehicle priority (EVP) system to improve ambulance emergency response times.

An EVP system allows ambulances to automatically trigger a green traffic light in advance of arriving at an intersection, when it is safe to do so.

Passing through an intersection under green light conditions is faster and safer for emergency vehicles and other road users.

Traffic signals will resume their normal cycle once the ambulance has passed through, minimising traffic disruptions.

The implementation of an EVP system supports action 1.6 from the Towards Zero Road Safety Action Plan 2018-2022:

• Continually monitor, evaluate, and introduce emerging technology that assists in achieving the vision of the plan.

The system will operate at traffic light installed intersections in Darwin along the Stuart Highway, Bagot Road and Trower Road.

If successful, an EVP system could be rolled out to all ambulances, and be the basis of a system for use with fire and police services.

The trial will run for 6 months from February 2024 to August 2024, with 6 ambulances fitted with the system.

When you see an emergency vehicle

Drivers must always give way and drive with due care when they hear a siren or see the flashing red and blue lights of an emergency vehicle.

Use your indicators when giving way or pulling off the road. This tells the driver of the emergency vehicle that you know they are there.

To find out more about how to stay safe around emergency vehicles, rules of the road and basic driving skills read the Road Users’ Handbook.

Contact

To find out more information:

• contact Project Manager Scott McKay on 8999 4680
• email scott.mckay@nt.gov.au.