New tech for ambulances awaits real-time demo

If all goes as planned by GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute, which runs 108 ambulance services, ambulances in the city will no more be hit by the menace of traffic jams and time consumption. 

The institute has put forward a proposal to the Bangalore traffic department to introduce a new technology, wherein the ambulance will be able to transmit messages to the traffic signals, even before reaching the signal.

The Additional Commissioner of Bangalore Traffic Police, M A Saleem has gone through the demonstration of the technology once, early this year. Soon, he will conduct a real time demonstration of the said technology, which will decide its fate in Bangalore.

This new technology is the part of the campaign called-Ambulance Priority Drive, wherein a device will be installed in the ambulance that will coordinate with a traffic signal when it is 80 metres away from the signal.

The device will then transmit a message to the signal that will automatically switch the signal to green light. Parvez, the marketing manager of EMRI says, “The device basically communicates to the junction box installed in the traffic signals and thus saves at least 50-120 crucial seconds at each junction.”

But M A Saleem feels the technology has to be assessed properly before adopting. He says, “I will be going through one more demonstration by travelling in the ambulance itself.” One of major glitch in the technology, according to Saleem is the cost. He says, “A lot of money is involved in this new process, hence, we have to be crystal clear about the technology. Moreover, what will be the scenario when there are traffic jams. How will the technology help then? These are few of the questions that we have to clear. At present, whenever the traffic constable hears the blaring siren, he makes way for the ambulance and sends a message to the other signal.”

As far as the cost aspect is involved, Parvez says, “We have not taken the commercial aspect into consideration till yet. We are exploring the technology and the testing period. The technology has been on use for a long time in US and other Saudi Arabian countries.”

Another issue which the proposed technology involves is the necessary training of the drivers. “There will a small device near the drivers seat which the driver will have to operate. Hence, a considerable amount of training has to be imparted before it hits the road.”

The 108 service has been technologically one of the most sound healthcare service in the city.

Currently, the ambulances have the Automatic Vehicle Location System (AVLC) technology, which is connected with a call centre that can locate the nearest ambulance from the spot of accident. They also have Geographic Information System (GIS) technology installed which provides a map from the spot of incident to the ambulance location. It is common to find ourselves caught in a traffic signal when a VIP cavalcade is travelling in the city and the entire traffic apparatus ensuring free flow for their vehicles.

But when a similar situation is faced by the ambulances, we do not witness a single traffic police personnel making headway to ensure smooth movement for them. But with this new technology making its way to the roads of Bangalore, soon this problem may disappear.