Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS): An Introduction

Modern vehicles feature interior designs that can reduce outside noise. Consequently, drivers often have difficulties hearing emergency sirens. As a result, they cannot react timely when emergency vehicles are approaching. To solve this issue, developers created the emergency vehicle alert system (EVAS).

This system is ideal for drivers with normal hearing ability and those with impaired hearing. In addition, EVAS does not only alert them when emergency vehicles are nearby but also when there are road hazards. Currently, EVAS is available in the US, Canada, and several European countries.

Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS): What is it?

EVAS is a system for alerting civilian drivers visually or audibly when an emergency vehicle is in their vicinity. The objective of this system is to enhance road safety by increasing driver’s awareness of nearby emergency vehicles.

With this increased awareness, drivers can maneuver their cars safely and quickly allowing emergency vehicles to pass. Therefore, those vehicles will reach their destinations in time to save lives. As we all know, time is crucial when one is saving lives.

The emergency vehicle alert system is not a new technology. This technology has already existed during the World War I. However, at that time, this system was rather traditional because it only consisted of sirens. Currently, this technology has developed into an advanced system.

Now, this alert system utilizes digital technology, sensors, and other advanced tools to provide emergency alerts on the road. In the US, drivers can find a modern emergency vehicle alert system in EVAS. HAAS Alert and Stellantis are the main developers of this system.

The former offers HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud. This system creates a network of vehicles and disseminates alerts on approaching emergency vehicles, road hazards, and work zones. The warnings from HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud will appear on the navigation map.

Stellantis emergency vehicle warning system is applicable in various vehicle brands. Moreover, it is available since 2018 and has millions of users.

Components of EVAS

The emergency vehicle alert system (EVAS) is rather complicated. It contains various components. They are categorized into three types.

1. Components Installed on Emergency Vehicles

There are at least three types of EVAS components on emergency vehicles. The first type is devices that can produce warning sounds, devices for transmitting data, and visual warning devices. 

The most basic ESAV components on emergency vehicles are devices that can produce warning sounds, such as horns and sirens. These tools can produce warning sounds and allow drivers of emergency vehicles to warn pedestrians and road users that they are approaching.

Meanwhile, examples of transmitting devices on emergency vehicles are wireless communication tools and GPS. These tools transmit various data to other road users. Therefore, civilian drivers know the location, speed, and direction of an emergency vehicle.

This data will appear in real-time on the navigation map or a home screen of a particular EVAS app. Consequently, civilian drivers can avoid an approaching emergency vehicle immediately after noticing the alert.

The third type is visual warning devices, such as flashlights. This device will emit alerts in the form of special light patterns and colors. Therefore, pedestrians and road users with impaired hearing can notice the approaching emergency vehicle and take the right maneuver on time. 

2. Components Installed on Civilian Vehicles

Other crucial EVAS components are those on civilian vehicles. One of them is an alerting system. This system will emit visual or audible alerts when there are approaching emergency vehicles and road hazards.

Another EVAS tool on these vehicles is a receiving device. It will receive data, signals, or alerts from the emergency vehicle’s transmitter. After the device obtains the signal or data, it will proceed with information to the alerting system.

3. Additional Components

EVAS also has additional components to promote road safety. They are smartphone apps, roadside units, and traffic control systems. The app will receive and display alerts to road users. 

Moreover, the roadside units receive alert signals and disseminate them to road users. Meanwhile, the traffic control system is attached to the traffic light system. It will automatically modify the traffic light in order to give emergency vehicles a clear path.

Benefits of Using EVAS

Utilizing the emergency vehicle alert system will provide road users with several benefits. The main advantage of using EVAS is increased road safety. This system helps civilian car drivers to maneuver their cars accordingly to give emergency vehicles a clear path. 

Therefore, they can sidestep a crash between those vehicles and their cars. Another benefit of utilizing EVAS is the improvement in emergency response times. By giving a clear path to emergency vehicles, emergency responders will have more time to save lives.

This system also provides road users with alerts on traffic jams caused by road hazards and work zones. Therefore, they can avoid the traffic, find the best route to reach their destinations, and arrive on time.

The emergency vehicle alert system (EVAS) is beneficial for road users. It features many components, such as wireless data and alert transmitter. Authorities planning to develop this system can use cell broadcaster from smsbroadcaster.com to transmit emergency vehicle data and alerts. Buy this device now and improve road safety.