Traffic signals at 50 more intersections throughout DuPage County would be fitted with devices that allow ambulances, firetrucks and police cars to pass safely through them under an agreement approved Tuesday by County Board members.
Nearly 300 county-owned traffic signals already have the devices under the program, which started five years ago. County officials say agreements with 11 local agencies approved Tuesday by the board’s Transportation Committee would extend that coverage to every major publicly owned signal in the county.
Emergency vehicles with emitters send signals to detectors, and the traffic signals are pre-empted–greens stay green and reds turn more quickly to green–to allow the vehicles through. This speeds up the vehicles’ trip to an emergency and minimizes chances of a collision.
The county is contributing $130,000 toward the $600,000 project, which was half-paid through a federal grant. Participating municipalities will make up the rest.
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The full County Board is expected to pass the measure next week.