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Emergency light sensors installed at city intersections
BERNADETTE LA PAGLIA
Contractor James Snyder of Kent Technologies, a subcontractor for Opticom, fishes wire through a conduit pipe at the intersection of N. Collier Boulevard and the Esplanade as part of the installation of the remote relay sensor system that activates red lights in the path of emergency vehicles. Installation will continue with the island's traffic signals for another week.
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Over the next week throughout Marco, technicians will be installing a remote relay sensor system at each of the eight traffic light intersections as a coordinate to the signals of emergency vehicles.
Its purpose is to optimize the ease and expediency of travel for emergency vehicles in times of crisis.
Whereas the present system is dependent upon the vigilance of the driver to immediately pull over to the side of the road upon hearing the siren, the new system transcends those concerns. Once the signal activates, the traffic light in its path automatically turns red, thus stopping all traffic flow and allowing the emergency vehicle to pass freely.
The signals are being installed as part of the Traffic Control Devices Citywide (Opticom) Project. The $248,000 contract was awarded by City Council to Kent Technologies in October. Grants totaling $133,000 were secured by the city to help cover engineering and construction costs.
“This will level the playing field for the drivers in emergency transport because they won’t have to second guess whether a car is going to pull over to let them pass. The traffic lights will be coordinated with the relay to turn red,” explained James Snyder, a contractor for Kent Technologies. “Those few extra minutes could make the difference between life and death -— and arriving safely at a destination.”
Snyder estimated that the system on Marco will be operational by the end of the month.
“Eventually, the system will be installed at all major intersections throughout Collier and Lee counties,” he said.
With additional reporting by staff writer Leslie Williams
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you have to be kidding..let's see there are appx 12 traffic lights on the island...maybe a few more...i find it interesting that the new lamposts are already being sanded and refinished after only one year...
#1 Posted by van on January 24, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
$30,000 per intersection for installing a remote relay sensor? Who was the low bidder?
#2 Posted by 15yearsmarco on January 24, 2008 at 11:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
$30,000 per intersection for installing a remote relay sensor? Who was the low bidder?
#3 Posted by 15yearsmarco on January 25, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe if people were considerate enough, the City would not have had to spend $248,000. When emergency vehicles are approaching, it is very safe, easy and inexpensive to just give them the space they need; but in today's society, an individual driver's concerns, destination and/or selfishness is the rule. It would be nice if any one of those drivers would stop to realize that maybe the emergency vehicles are responding to their house or family member.
#4 Posted by enoughalready on January 29, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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