Pilot project lets Winnipeg emergency responders change traffic lights along Osborne Street

Emergency responders now have the ability to change some Winnipeg traffic lights to green as part of a year-long pilot project.

The emergency vehicle pre-emption technologyprogram, also known as EVP,was launched Monday by the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service. Its goal isto cut down on response times and make it safer for first responders and others on the road by reducing the risk of collisions.

EVP systems have been installed at 17 intersections along and near Osborne Street at a cost to the city of $78,000.

A news release from the city says 15emergency vehicles ambulances, fire trucks and supervisor vehiclesthat often respond to calls in the area now have transponders that can trigger green lights in the direction they are travelling.

This allows other vehicles on the road to get out of their way faster, the release says. Lights will return to normal after two cycles.

"Safety is No. 1," said Tom Wallace, WFPS deputy chief for support services. "Safety for our responders and safety for other motorists and pedestrians on the roads [is the biggest thing.]"

The system could reduce response times by 20 per cent and prevent one collision involving an emergency vehicle each month, according to a feasibility study from 2022.

Wallace said they need to look at the data before deciding where and how to expand the project. WFPS chose the Osborne area for the pilot because of the higher concentration of stations in the area.

Through the feasibility study, Wallace said they found response times could be reduced by up to a minute.

"[It] may not sound like much, but for a five-minute response time, to be able to reduce that to four for those truly time-sensitive calls like heart attacks, strokes, critical trauma, respiratory emergencies, that makes a big difference," Wallace said.

The pilot project wraps up in March 2025. Results will be evaluated by the WFPS and the city's Traffic Signal Branch.