Abstract: A traffic light control system which includes two-way communications between a moving emergency vehicle approaching a busy intersection with one or more traffic lights, arranged so that the traffic light control apparatus has stored therein preset patterns of response that temporarily preempt the usual operation of the traffic light and instead provides the most effective method of routing the vehicle through the intersection while redirecting general traffic. As part of the invention, the traffic light control mechanism returns acknowledgement of receipt of instructions to the emergency vehicle. The stored preset traffic patterns may in one embodiment be responsive to human intervention from a dispatching center or to time-of-day conditions. The stored traffic patterns in still another embodiment may be arranged to include a plurality of coordinated intersections.

Abstract: A traffic light control system which includes two-way communications between a moving emergency vehicle approaching a busy intersection with one or more traffic lights, arranged so that the traffic light control apparatus has stored therein preset patterns of response that temporarily preempt the usual operation of the traffic light and instead provides the most effective method of routing the vehicle through the intersection while redirecting general traffic. As part of the invention, the traffic light control mechanism returns acknowledgement of receipt of instructions to the emergency vehicle. The stored preset traffic patterns may in one embodiment be responsive to human intervention from a dispatching center or to time-of-day conditions. The stored traffic patterns in still another embodiment may be arranged to include a plurality of coordinated intersections.