• Emergency Ambulance Support System using LoRa and Bluetooth Technologies

Abstract

When performing emergency duties, ambulances and rescue vehicles are often required to travel at high speeds. This increases the risk of road accidents, especially when vehicles pass through an intersection. Using Internet of Things technologies, this study developed a smart traffic light signaling system. The use of smart technology to change traffic signals and displayed reminders with installed pointing devices inform general vehicle drivers of the movements of ambulances and rescue vehicles, decreasing rescue time. For a communication connection technology, this study adopts the emerging LoRa (long-range) Technology , which here is responsible for detecting the distances of ambulances and rescue vehicles from intersections. This technology is supplemented by a Bluetooth system, which is responsible for comparing received signal strength indication (RSSI) values at each intersection. From signal strength variations, the lanes and directions in which ambulances and rescue vehicles are driving can be determined. Through field tests, this study confirmed that the system can precisely interpret the RSSI values of receiving devices pre-installed at each intersection. PARAMICS Microsimulation software version 6.7 was adopted for 20 sets of vehicles with and without the emergency relief support system developed for this study in each case to simulate their time passing through an intersection. It was observed that the speeds of ambulances and rescue vehicles can be increased threefold with this system. Implementing this system is expected to reduce traffic accidents, accelerate rescues, and reduce social costs, thereby realizing a smart transportation system.

Keywords: Internet of Things, LoRa, Bluetooth, Emergency Relief Support System