By Jeff Christman
Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania)
Copyright 2007 The Morning Call, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
MAHONING TWNSHP., Pa. — Mahoning Township’s fire chief wants the township to install sensors on its traffic lights so responders can force the light to change to green as they approach in an emergency.
It’s called a “priority control system” and it works by using a vehicle-mounted transmitter to send a signal to the sensor-equipped traffic light as far as 2,500 feet away. When the signal is detected, the light switches to green, allowing stopped traffic to move and provide a clear path for emergency responders.
David Pollock, chief of the Mahoning Valley Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, suggested that township supervisors consider installing the sensors, starting with the new light at the Normal Square intersection of Route 443 and Mill Road.
He said that intersection is prone to significant backups, and it’s difficult for firetrucks to pass without the aid of fire police. Traffic on Route 443 coming from Tamaqua, he said, doesn’t have an ideal view of the intersection as drivers approach it, potentially creating a dangerous situation that could be avoided by using the devices to clear the intersection.
“There are many positives to a system like this. Not only will the fire department, ambulance and police department be able to enhance their time of travel in critical situations, it will also increase the safety of the intersection by allowing traffic to flow in a normal manner,” Pollock said in an earlier letter to supervisors.
The sensor that mounts on traffic lights, Pollock said, costs about $4,500. The transmitters needed to send the signal to the sensor to switch the light to green cost $790 each, plus installation.
He said the fire company can pay for their transmitters from the firemen’s relief fund, but it can’t use the money to buy the sensors. Police and ambulance services could also install the devices in their vehicles.
Pollock said the sensors and transmitters are commonly used in the Allentown and Bethlehem areas.
The board agreed Wednesday to consider his request.
Supervisors also agreed to try to find a way to include a $250 donation to the Carbon County Friends of Animals of Jim Thorpe into their tight 2008 budget.