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MIRT HISTORY Traffic Signal Preemption, itself, is not a new idea. The technology was spawned several years ago in recognition of the increasing traffic congestion on roadways, particularly at intersections in metropolitan areas and busy thoroughfares in mid-sized and even smaller communities. This congestion, and often traffic “gridlock”, was resulting in impeding the ability of emergency vehicles (e.g. police, fire, ambulance) to have expedient and safe passage through intersections. This posed a threat to emergency personnel, the general public traveling on the same streets, and to the emergency victim so dependent on fast response. Traditionally, fast emergency response has relied on the emergency vehicle’s flashing lights and sirens and the skill of the vehicle’s driver to negotiate traffic congestion. Unfortunately, this reliance has not always met with success. Limitless stories reveal sobering truths about mistakes made by drivers, people unwilling to wait for emergency vehicles to pass when they have a green light before them, and delays at intersections that have kept emergency personnel from arriving at the scene in time. Remember, in an emergency seconds do count and can often mean the difference between life and death. Increasingly today, the technology of Traffic Signal Preemption is providing a better, faster, and safer method for emergency vehicles and personnel to reach the scene of the emergency. In addition, as Traffic Signal Preemption has grown in use significantly, its benefits have been recognized (and in many cases have been given approval) for a widening variety of other uses to facilitate “official business”. A sampling of these expanding uses include Mass Transit, Undercover and Private Detectives, Emergency “1st Responder Volunteers”, FBI, CIA, Community Service Officers, Funeral Processions, Street Maintenance Crews, and many more. Two items are required for Traffic Signal Preemption; 1st, the traffic light must be equipped with the technology (the “receiver”) to receive the coded frequency signal from an emitter, and 2nd, the emergency or official vehicle must be possess the technology (the “emitter”) that sends out the coded frequency signal. (From a report published by the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, Washington, D.C., titled: “Important Tools in America’s Homeland Defense”, dated October 7, 2001; It states: Of 55 of the 75 largest metropolitan areas 71% of the traffic signals are equipped with Traffic Signal Preemption). Today’s leader in equipping traffic lights with the Traffic Signal Preemption “receiver” is the 3M Corporation™ commanding an estimated 70% of the market. It is also the leader in manufacturing the vehicle “emitter” equipment. The 3M emitter system, named Opticom®, is a product permanently installed in the light-bar on the roof of the emergency vehicle. The approximate starting cost of the emitter is $1,400 plus the cost of installation. There are other competing products that are similar in nature and cost to the Opticom® emitter product. The combination of the price for the emitter plus the cost of installation has kept many organizations, departments, and potential users of Traffic Light Preemption from purchasing the systems due to budget constraints. (In some cases budgets have allowed only a portion of vehicles to be equipped and in other cases the cost has prevented any vehicles from being equipped). Some attempts have been made in recent years to offer lower cost units that are portable. However, these attempts have had only marginal success due to issues with the quality/dependability of the units, lower power output by the units making them less effective, size and weight making them cumbersome, and utilizing visible light technology that distracts the driver – particularly at night. Opticom® is a registered trademark
of 3M Corporation, St. Paul, MN THE MIRT – THE SOLUTION! A revolution in “emitter” technology is now at hand. The MIRT, exclusively and for the first time, provides answers to all of the issues that have limited the market for Traffic Signal Preemption units. Now, every emergency and official vehicle and every legally authorized professional has access to this beneficial technology. The MIRT is made possible by combining the latest breakthroughs from several disciplines, including: Miniaturized electronics, precision state-of-the-art manufacturing, reduced component costs, and advanced lamp technology The Result:
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