OSHP Vehicles - Emergency Vehicle OBE Functionality

Subsystem Description

The Emergency Vehicle On–Board Equipment (OBE) resides in an emergency vehicle and provides the processing, storage, and communications functions that support public safety–related connected vehicle applications. It represents a range of vehicles including those operated by police, fire, and emergency medical services. In addition, it represents other incident response vehicles including towing and recovery vehicles and freeway service patrols. It includes two–way communications to support coordinated response to emergencies. A separate 'Vehicle OBE' physical object supports the general vehicle safety and driver information capabilities that apply to all vehicles, including emergency vehicles. The Emergency Vehicle OBE supplements these general capabilities with capabilities that are specific to emergency vehicles.

Functional Object: EV Barrier System Control

'EV Barrier System Control' provides local control of automatic or remotely controlled gates and other barrier systems from an emergency vehicle. Using this capability, emergency personnel can open and close barriers without leaving the vehicle, using V2I Communications to control the barriers.

Functional Object: EV On-Board En Route Support

'EV On–Board En Route Support' provides communications functions to responding emergency vehicles that reduce response times and improve safety of responding public safety personnel and the general public. It supports traffic signal preemption via short range communication directly with signal control equipment and sends alert messages to surrounding vehicles.

Functional Object: EV On-Board Incident Management Communication

'EV On–board Incident Management Communication' provides communications support to first responders. Information about the incident, information on dispatched resources, and ancillary information such as road and weather conditions are provided to emergency personnel. Emergency personnel transmit information about the incident such as identification of vehicles and people involved, the extent of injuries, hazardous material, resources on site, site management strategies in effect, and current clearance status. Emergency personnel may also send in–vehicle signing messages to approaching traffic using short range communications.