Reducing Noise Pollution of Emergency Vehicle Sirens with an Early Warning System

This paper investigates the potential of an early warning system to warn drivers of emergency service vehicles (ESV) prior to their arrival as a suitable replacement for sirens mounted on these vehicles. In this paper, a proof-of-concept system, with the intention of developing a full-scale system for widespread implementation is developed resulting in a reduction of noise pollution caused by sirens. The system was tested by modelling in small-scale using remote controlled (RC) cars and smart traffic lights to evaluate the system and its viability for the future. This paper achieves a working prototype and concludes that the system is viable. Although global positioning system (GPS) is inaccurate for a small-scale system, accuracy is within the GPS specifications and should not impact a full-scale implementation.