GF Blue logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Smarter Traffic Signals: Reducing Response Times and Improving Transit Reliability

Emergency and transit vehicles using traffic signal preemption technology in 2024 saw reduced travel times and fewer delays at intersections, highlighting its potential impact on public safety and transportation efficiency.

Smarter Traffic Signals: Reducing Response Times and Improving Transit Reliability

The Marietta Fire Department has been using traffic signal preemption technology to improve response times and enhance safety for both firefighters and the public.

Photo: Marietta Fire | Applied Information

2 min to read


Emergency vehicles equipped with Applied Information’s Glance preemption system made over 1.3 million emergency trips in 2024, resulting in more than 4.3 million green lights given while responding. In excess of 13,000 hours of travel time were saved by fire, ambulance, and police vehicles equipped with Glance based on fleet-wide averages.

While reducing response times by a reported average of 18%, the Glance system is additionally designed to reduce accidents involving emergency vehicles and the public. Glance does this by providing the emergency vehicle a series of green lights in the direction of travel and bringing all other traffic to a halt. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 19,225 collisions involved fire department emergency vehicles in 2023, resulting in 1,450 injuries.

Ad Loading...

"In addition to the time savings, our responses are safer for our firefighters and the public," said Tim Milligan, Marietta, Georgia Fire Chief. "Having all opposing traffic stopped by the time the fire apparatus arrives at an intersection eliminates the potential for accidents, which we see demonstrated daily."

Transit Signal Priority and Traffic Signals

Public transportation buses equipped with Glance Transit Signal Priority (TSP) made 5.1 million trips in 2024 and avoided 9 million unscheduled stops at traffic signals.

Greater Portland Metro buses use transit signal priority technology to improve travel efficiency and enhance reliability for public transportation riders.

Photo: Portland Metro | Applied Information

According to various studies, TSP increases on-time performance, reduces fuel consumption and emissions, reduces driver workload, and improves traffic flow in the direction of bus travel, all while generally going unnoticed by side street motorists.

"Glance Transit Signal Priority helps to provide more reliable on-time performance, which makes for a better commuting experience for our customers," said Mike Tremblay, Director of Transit Development, Greater Portland Metro in Portland, Maine. "Additionally, our vehicles."

How TSP Works: Shortening Light Time

Glance TSP is designed to avoid unscheduled stops by shortening the time of red lights, or extending the green light until the bus can pass through the intersection. Glance TSP works on buses with a supplied vehicle communications unit or can be virtual by using an existing Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system.

Ad Loading...

Glance is used by more than 1,450 transportation agencies across North America.

More Equipment

Zonar Whitepaper Cover Stay ready, set and safer with verified fleet inspections.
SponsoredSeptember 4, 2026

Stay ready, set and safer with verified fleet inspections.

When fleet inspections aren’t verifiable, missed defects can quickly become downtime, safety risks, and service delays. This white paper shows government and municipal fleet leaders how digital inspections can improve accountability, catch issues earlier, and keep vehicles ready when they’re needed most.

Read More →
a midwest fire brush truck
Equipmentby Staff WriterSeptember 4, 2026

Stellar Industries Acquires Midwest Fire

The acquisition brings a manufacturer of custom fire apparatus under Stellar Industries, expanding the work-truck manufacturer into the fire and emergency response market. Midwest Fire will continue operating from its existing Minnesota headquarters as a distinct company.

Read More →
Deleon DX300LC-9
EquipmentSeptember 3, 2026

DEVELON Adds DX300LC-9 Excavator to -9 Series

For public works operations handling infrastructure, road, and utility projects, DEVELON has added a new 33-metric-ton excavator to its equipment lineup. The DX300LC-9 combines updated controls with technology designed to address operator safety, equipment monitoring, and machine operation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
ranger wheel service ETL certification
EquipmentSeptember 1, 2026

BendPak Ranger Wheel Service Equipment Receives Safety Certification

Equipment used every day in fleet maintenance shops comes with its own set of safety considerations. Following an 18-month redesign and testing process, BendPak's Ranger tire changers and wheel balancers have received certification to applicable U.S. and Canadian safety standards.

Read More →
JBC backhoe 3cx
EquipmentAugust 26, 2026

JCB Introduces Dual Drive System for Backhoe Loaders

Public works operators traditionally switch positions and controls each time they reposition a backhoe during excavation. JCB's new Dual Drive system is designed to allow operators to move the machine while remaining at the excavator controls.

Read More →
A photo of the APEX bendpack lift.
EquipmentJuly 14, 2026

APEX by BendPak Launches AL9LC Two-Post Lift

The new low-ceiling floorplate car lift is designed to maximize overhead clearance for fleets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An image of a car engine being sprayed with cleaner.
EquipmentJuly 13, 2026

New Slap Shot Contact Cleaner: Heavy-Duty Cleaning Power Without the Residue

Slap Shot Contact Cleaner combines fast contaminant removal, rapid evaporation, moisture displacement, no-wipe cleaning, non-conductive performance, and residue-free cleaning into a single solution.

Read More →
Illustration of the Carry Barrel Lift mounted on a dump truck, designed to lift and dump 60-gallon barrels for landscaping and debris removal operations.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseMay 13, 2026

New Powered Carry Barrel Lift Helps Crews Dump Heavy Barrels Into Trucks With Less Manual Lifting

The Carry Barrel Lift is a new truck-mounted attachment designed to help landscape and municipal crews lift and dump heavy 60-gallon barrels more efficiently while reducing manual strain.

Read More →
Ranger wheel balancer and pneumatic wheel lift installed in a vehicle service shop next to an SUV on a lift.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseMay 13, 2026

New Ranger RWL175 Universal Wheel Lift Delivers Faster, Safer Mounting on Most Wheel Balancers

Ranger’s new RWL175 Pneumatic Wheel Lift is designed to help technicians safely mount wheel assemblies up to 175 pounds while reducing strain and improving shop efficiency.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Vanair EPEQ IM HVAC idle management system modules designed to reduce engine idling and support factory HVAC integration in commercial fleet vehicles.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseMay 13, 2026

Vanair Introduces EPEQ IM HVAC System

Vanair introduced its EPEQ IM HVAC idle management system, designed to reduce engine idling, lower maintenance costs, and extend vehicle life through factory HVAC integration and automated climate control.

Read More →