Technology, Vision and Needs Analysis for Advanced Emergency Response >

Vision for Emergency Response (Y2030)

Although IATS is expected to substantially reduce motor vehicle crashes, some crashes will still occur which require emergency response and rescue.  For example, not all roadways (especially in rural areas) are likely to have all aspects of an advanced transportation infrastructure fully implemented.  Furthermore, weather may impact the ability of automated vehicle and roadway countermeasures to respond adequately in all cases.  Finally, emergency response systems will still be needed to respond to natural or man-made disasters. 

The goal in performing the research described here is to lay the foundation for making a ‘generational leap’ in emergency response and rescue capabilities.  However, this leap must be guided by a clear vision of the system to be created.  As a starting point, the following elements might be considered for inclusion in the Emergency Response and Rescue vision for the future.

• To the extent possible, all emergencies will be detected in near real-time using automated infrastructure-based and vehicle-based sensors.
• Emergency dispatchers will receive a rich set of detailed information on the nature and scope of the event which will give them enhanced situational awareness, enabling them to activate the most appropriate emergency services.  Automated decision aids utilizing supporting databases &/or real-time information will be available.  
• Dispatchers and responders will have immediate information on both weather and the environment in the vicinity of the emergency scene.  Public safety agencies will have the ability to activate and direct technology assets to collect and provide additional event and scene-related information.
• Responders will be able to rapidly and safely travel to the event scene by ground or air, bypassing congestion and armed with real time information continuously updated via wearable computers. 
• Responders, emergency vehicles, and emergency response devices will communicate cooperatively and be integrated with the roadway infrastructure, other entities (e.g., hospitals), affected individuals (casualties) and their vehicles using V2V, V2I and V2D technologies as well as other future cyber technologies.
• Emergency responders will have real-time access to the equipment and expertise needed to locate, treat, triage and transport injured victims rapidly and safely to the most appropriate medical facilities. 
• Emergency response agencies will have information and tools needed to plan and execute evacuations if needed and/or rapidly restore the transportation system to its pre-emergency conditions.