Traffic Priority System Speeds Up Emergency Response on Singapore’s Roads

Jointly developed by ST Engineering’s Mobility Road business and Singapore’s public agencies, the Traffic Priority System shortens public ambulance conveyance to hospitals, potentially saving lives.

In a medical emergency, every second could mean the difference between life and death. An earlier arrival at the hospital, even by mere moments, can further improve a patient’s outcome. 

However, how is it possible to shorten the duration of a patient’s conveyance on Singapore’s roads? 

The solution comes in the form of Singapore’s first Traffic Priority System (TPS), which expedites the final mile of conveyance of patients in critical condition to the hospital.

Jointly developed by ST Engineering’s Mobility Road team, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX), TPS provides priority passage for SCDF ambulances conveying life-threatening emergency cases in the vicinity of the hospital. 

How TPS Works

SCDF emergency ambulances are equipped with TPS in-vehicle transponders or what are known as on-board devices (OBDs). Roadside equipment (RSE) are also installed at designated TPS traffic junctions near hospitals and are linked to the traffic light controllers at these junctions. 

For overall road safety while ensuring minimal disruption to motorists and other road users, TPS is only activated during life-threatening medical emergencies. The SCDF Operations Centre will transmit the ambulance’s OBD details to the RSE ahead of time. When an emergency ambulance approaches within 200m of a designated TPS traffic junction, it uses low latency Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology to communicate with the RSE in real time. The RSE then triggers the traffic lights to turn in favour of the ambulance sooner, allowing it a clear path to the hospital. This allows: 

• Emergency patients to arrive quickly at the hospital to receive treatment.
• Enhanced safety for road users and emergency personnel as it eliminates the need for ambulances to run red lights at traffic junctions (which is only allowed under strict circumstances).

Traffic operations return to their normal state once the ambulance has passed the junction. 

*ACES: Advanced C3 Emergency System
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The TPS is gradually being rolled out across ambulances and traffic junctions serving Singapore’s public hospitals from July 2024 and is scheduled to be fully operational by 2026.

Saving Time, Saving Lives

Through V2X technology, TPS not only reduces delays but also saves lives. As technology continues to advance, smart traffic solutions will be essential in creating more responsive and safer urban environments for all.