Emergency Response And Traffic Congestion:
The Dispatcher’s Perspective
Author(s)
V. P. Sisiopiku, A. J. Sullivan, P. J. Foster & P. R. Fine
Abstract
Traffic congestion may impede the ability of emergency vehicles to reach the site
of a traffic incident or other disaster in a fast and reliable manner. It is
imperative that emergency dispatchers use real time traffic information in order
to improve dispatching of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the disaster
site. Preliminary research indicates, however, that many dispatchers have not
been trained to cope with severe congestion nor have they been given the tools
that would allow them to consider traffic congestion in the dispatching process.
In order to (a) document the extend of this problem in the state of Alabama and
(b) understand how traffic congestion impacts emergency dispatching decisions
and response, this study developed and conducted a statewide survey of
emergency dispatchers on behalf of the University Transportation Center at the
University of Alabama at Birmingham. The survey sought feedback from EMS
dispatchers in Alabama on current practices, positive and negative experiences,
preferences, as well as their perceptions on the use of real time traffic data to
help optimize emergency response and transport times. The results of the survey
analysis clearly show that there is a disconnect between dispatching decisions
and conditions in the field. Traffic congestion was generally not viewed as a
major concern among the dispatchers surveyed nor was any real time traffic
information used to improve decision making at the dispatching control center.
Availability of real-time traffic information for dispatching purposes, and
education of dispatchers about the opportunities and benefits that can be realized
by using such information are very important steps toward improving
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) performance and reliability, which in return
can improve survivability of victims requiring medical attention.
Keywords: emergency dispatch, traffic congestion, Alabama.
Keywords
emergency dispatch, traffic congestion, Alabama
Related Book
Other papers in this volume
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