Copyright 2006 P.G. Publishing Co.
By JIM McMAHON
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania)
Response by emergency vehicles is expected to become safer because of the planned installation of special pre-emptive traffic signal devices at three major intersections in Whitehall.
Council approved the purchase this month of three Sonem 2000 units from Traffic Systems, LLC, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company specializing in the product, which uses a system mounted on traffic signals that responds to an electronic siren used on most emergency vehicles. When activated by a siren, it stops opposing traffic, giving emergency vehicles a green light.
“It will definitely help decrease the chance of accidents,” Whitehall Fire Chief Rob Gruber said.
The devices, which cost $37,000, will be installed on three traffic signals. Two are on Baptist Road, at Weyman and Grove roads, and the other will be at Brownsville and Provost roads.
Borough Manager Jim Leventry said the borough’s contracted traffic signal maintenance company, Eastern Signal Inc., should have the new equipment in place by the end of June.
He said the system was less expensive to buy and maintain than a $45,000 system considered last year which used remote units installed in individual vehicles.
“It will definitely improve safety and enable us to clear traffic in the direction we are traveling,” said Todd Pritchard, operations manager of Medical Rescue Team South Authority. The group has seven ambulances serving the communities of Baldwin Township, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Green Tree, Mt. Lebanon and Whitehall.
Mr. Pritchard said the device would be particularly beneficial at the intersection by the Caste Village Shopping Center, which “can be very difficult to get through” because of heavy traffic flow.
The fact that neighboring companies responding to a local emergency can use the system is another plus.
“It makes it safer for us and the public,” Mr. Pritchard said.