Raising security of first responders with C-ITS?

Abstract

Abstract This article recommends social science research-based recommendations for improving first responder safety and occupational health by assessing cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS) for use by emergency services and law enforcement. This involves vehicles using digital technologies to inform each other or via objects such as roadworks signs about traffic situations and dangerous circumstances. The application of information and communication technologies to the road transport sector and its interfaces with other modes of transport shall make a significant contribution to improving environmental performance, efficiency, including energy efficiency, safety, and security of road transport. This article investigates which social science aspects must be considered when implementing C-ITS, so that emergency vehicles such as ambulances can be given automated priority. Since emergency vehicles can communicate with traffic signal systems or other vehicles, safety requirements play a particularly important role. This leads to the question of which challenges subjective safety and technology perceptions regarding first responders are essential for the introduction of C-ITS for first responder organizations and which factors can lead to rejection.