Gimpo City to Create '5-Minute Miracle' with Emergency Vehicle Priority Signal System

Gimpo City Introduces Metropolitan Emergency Vehicle Priority Signal System
Expected to Secure Golden Time for Fire Suppression and Emergency Patient Transport
Signal Changes Restricted for 5 to 10 Minutes During Emergency Dispatches

On January 6, Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province announced that it will begin operating the "Metropolitan Emergency Vehicle Priority Signal System" starting in 2026 to support the rapid arrival of emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances at the scene.

Conceptual Diagram of Emergency Vehicle Priority Signal System. Provided by Gimpo City

The Metropolitan Emergency Vehicle Priority Signal System is an advanced traffic safety system designed to secure the golden time for emergency dispatch vehicles by automatically controlling the signals at intersections along their routes, thereby minimizing congestion.

Through this project, Gimpo City will apply the system to 832 traffic signal controllers installed within the city, enabling the operation of emergency vehicle priority signals not only in Gimpo but also in neighboring cities such as Goyang, Paju, and Bucheon.

The Metropolitan Emergency Vehicle Priority Signal System operates by linking the device installed in emergency vehicles with traffic signal controllers, allowing the system to recognize the vehicle's route in advance and automatically control the intersection signals during dispatch.

When an emergency vehicle approaches an intersection, the signal in the relevant direction will turn green or be extended, while vehicles in other directions will be temporarily stopped. This allows emergency vehicles to travel safely and quickly to their destination without unnecessary stops.

Gimpo City expects that the introduction of this system will have a tangible impact in situations directly related to citizens' lives, such as fire suppression and the transport of cardiac arrest patients.

Until December 31, 2025, Gimpo City will continue to refine the system through pilot operation, reflecting emergency vehicle operation patterns and the unique traffic characteristics of each intersection, while also working closely with relevant agencies to enhance the completeness of the system's operation.

Based on these efforts, the city plans to transition to full-scale operation from January 1, 2026, establishing a stable emergency vehicle priority signal system throughout Gimpo.

However, Gimpo City emphasized that the understanding and cooperation of citizens is of utmost importance.

When the Metropolitan Emergency Vehicle Priority Signal System is activated, there may be situations at some intersections where the signal does not change for about 5 to 10 minutes to ensure the safe passage of emergency vehicles. As a result, general drivers and pedestrians may experience temporary inconvenience due to signal delays.

Gimpo City explained that these measures are unavoidable actions to protect the lives and safety of citizens, and requested active understanding and cooperation from citizens regarding signal waits and traffic control during emergency dispatches.

Emergency dispatch device screen. Provided by Gimpo City

The city also asked citizens to refrain from entering intersections when emergency vehicles are approaching and to yield the way safely if they see sirens or emergency lights.

Gimpo City plans to use the introduction of the Metropolitan Emergency Vehicle Priority Signal System as an opportunity to accelerate the realization of a smart transportation city utilizing advanced traffic technology.

The city will continue to implement various traffic safety policies to prevent traffic accidents, protect vulnerable road users, and improve smooth vehicle flow, with the goal of creating a safe and convenient transportation environment that citizens can truly experience.

Im Mihwa, Head of the Smart City Division, stated, "The Emergency Vehicle Priority Signal System is an important safety net that protects the lives of all citizens," adding, "We will minimize inconveniences during the pilot operation period and work together with citizens to create a safe traffic environment."