Overview of the Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity Study by the US Fire Administration and the International Fire Service Training Association
Introduction
The safety of first responders and other public servants operating on roadways is of utmost importance. Research shows that more law enforcement officers have died in traffic-related incidents than from any other cause, with an average of one officer per month struck and killed by a vehicle in the United States. A staggering 25% of firefighter fatalities on duty result from motor vehicle crashes.
Studies from the United States and other countries indicate that improving the visibility and conspicuity of emergency vehicles can significantly enhance the safety of first responders, whether they are inside or outside their vehicles, such as patrol cars, motorcycles, fire trucks, and ambulances. This can be achieved through bright colors for daytime visibility and reflective materials for nighttime visibility.
The Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity Study, conducted by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) in collaboration with the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) and supported by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), comprehensively addresses this issue. The aim of this study was to improve emergency vehicle visibility and conspicuity, thereby enhancing the safety of emergency responders. These findings are also applicable to other trucks, vans, and fleet vehicles that operate in or around traffic. The research, results, and recommendations benefit these vehicles and their operators as well.
Background and Objectives
The primary goal of the study was to analyze and expand efforts to improve the safety of emergency vehicles and roadway operations. The focus was on passive visibility and conspicuity treatments, such as retroreflective materials and high-visibility paint, rather than active technologies like warning lights. This study evaluated commercially available vehicle conspicuity products to enhance emergency vehicle visibility and roadway safety for both responders and the public. It concentrated on passive visibility features such as retroreflective striping, high-visibility paint, and built-in passive lighting, while ongoing studies are exploring active technologies like warning lighting systems. Best practices from the U.S. and internationally were also assessed to aid in developing standards.
The report underscores the urgent need for more research on emergency vehicle visibility in the U.S. It discusses key findings that affect the deployment of current conspicuity treatments and the development of future technologies, standards, and safe operating procedures. Despite limitations in existing literature, the study identifies several immediate opportunities to enhance visibility using readily available products, considering the daily risks faced by emergency personnel.
Key Findings
- Urgent Need for Additional Research: There is a significant need for further research on emergency vehicle visibility and conspicuity in the United States, including the interaction between civilian drivers and emergency vehicles. The best possible way to prevent collisions must be determined, and this can only be done through testing and research.
- Effectiveness of Retroreflective Materials: Properly applied and maintained retroreflective sheeting can significantly enhance nighttime visibility and conspicuity. However, its benefits during daylight are limited.
- Color and Marking Patterns: No single color or marking pattern is optimal for all conditions. Contrasting colors and standardized patterns, like the red and yellow chevrons mandated by NFPA 1901, improve visibility and recognition.
- International Best Practices: The United Kingdom’s adoption of high-conspicuity liveries, such as the Battenburg pattern for police vehicles, offers insights into potential improvements for U.S. emergency vehicles.
- Challenges with Current Standards: While NFPA 1901 and GSA specifications for ambulances include enhanced visibility requirements, there is a lack of standardized practices across all types of emergency vehicles in the U.S.
Opportunities for Improvement
The study identifies several immediate opportunities for enhancing emergency vehicle visibility and conspicuity:
- Contour Markings: Outlining vehicle boundaries with retroreflective material can improve visibility. Contour markings help drivers detect the full size and shape of an emergency vehicle. Quicker recognition leads to quicker response times.
- Placement of Retroreflective Materials: Concentrating retroreflective materials lower on vehicles can optimize interaction with other vehicles’ headlamps, improving visibility. The closer to the level of oncoming headlights, the better the tape will be seen.
- Use of Fluorescent Colors: Incorporating fluorescent colors in vehicle liveries enhances daytime visibility. Fluorescent yellow and orange are particularly effective. Combining bright fluorescent colors with contrasting standard colors is an effective method of conspicuity. Fluorescent films are especially effective for daytime visibility.
- High-Efficiency Retroreflective Materials: Using high-efficiency materials can reduce the amount of surface area needing treatment, providing cost-effective solutions. Prismatic films are often five times brighter than standard engineer grade films, making them a viable option where available surface area is limited.
- Retroreflective Logos and Emblems: Applying logos and emblems made with retroreflective materials can improve both visibility and vehicle recognition. This is especially relevant for side impact protection, as reflective logos and company information on the sides of a vehicle can help prevent side impacts by allowing oncoming traffic to see the vehicle sooner.
Conclusion
The Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity Study emphasizes the critical need to improve the visibility and recognizability of emergency vehicles. The study reveals that a combination of passive treatments, like retroreflective materials and high-visibility paint, along with active technologies, such as warning lighting systems, is crucial for enhancing the safety of both first responders and the general public. These recommendations also apply to commercial fleet, utility vehicles, road rangers, and service vehicles that frequently stop and start in traffic.
The study outlines several immediate opportunities to enhance vehicle conspicuity, including contour markings, strategic placement of retroreflective materials, use of fluorescent colors, and high-efficiency retroreflective materials. Additionally, retroreflective logos and emblems can improve visibility and recognition, especially in side-impact situations.
Although further research is necessary to fully understand the interactions between civilian drivers and emergency vehicles, the study stresses that practical measures to improve vehicle visibility should be carried out without hesitation. Many safety improvements in vehicle and traffic history have been made through common-sense approaches, and these immediate measures can be implemented now. In addition, as new methods of conspicuity are used, they should each be studied to assess their effectiveness.
Enhancing the visibility and conspicuity of emergency and commercial vehicles is crucial for improving roadway safety. By implementing the recommended measures, we can significantly reduce the risks faced by first responders and other public servants, ensuring their safety and that of the public.