Innovative Safety Device for Ambulance Traffic Accident Prevention Pilot Implementation

The National Fire Agency Research Institute is unveiling a new technology for preventing ambulance traffic accidents.

On the 24th, the National Fire Agency Research Institute announced that it will pilot the ‘Ambulance Audio-Visual Safety Device,’ developed to reduce ambulance traffic accidents at intersections, in seven regions across the country.

The newly introduced ambulance audio-visual safety device consists of two core technologies: 'Logo Light' and 'High-Output Directional Siren.'

The Logo Light is a visual device that projects warning messages, such as 'Ambulance Approaching,' onto the roadway, helping drivers passing through intersections to quickly recognize the approaching ambulance, especially at night.

According to research results, it has been confirmed that this device reduces the average cognitive response time of drivers by 14.6%.

Interestingly, this Logo Light was developed by Fire Chief Cho Seung-hwan of the Southern Fire Station in Sejong, who won the grand prize in the 'Research and Development Project Idea Competition' organized by the Fire Agency in 2023. It serves as a good example of how the ideas from on-site firefighters have been implemented into actual public safety technology.

Enhancing Ambulance Safety with Advanced Technology

The high-output directional siren is an auditory device that delivers a powerful sound focused in a specific direction.

Existing ambulance sirens were difficult to distinguish from vehicle interior noise even from just 10 meters away. However, the new high-output directional siren can be clearly distinguished from background noise even at a distance of 25 meters, prompting immediate reactions from surrounding vehicles.

This pilot application is being conducted following regulatory approval at the 6th Mobility Innovation Committee meeting held by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport last month.

The pilot will take place in three provinces and four counties: Bupyeong in Incheon, Cheongju, Okcheon, and Danyang in North Chungcheong Province, as well as Yeonggwang and Jangseong in South Jeolla Province, from this month until October for three months.

The National Fire Agency Research Institute plans to thoroughly verify the effectiveness of the device based on the data collected during the pilot period and then decide whether to expand its distribution nationwide.

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