Connecting the Road and the ER: How V2X Technology Improves Emergency Response and Intersection Safety

Emergency responders face significant intersection risks every day. With up to 42% of ambulance crashes occurring at intersections, connected technologies are redefining how emergency response operates. EPEK Consulting explores how EVAM’s V2X pre-emptive warning system, Whelen’s geofenced and cloud-based alerting, pi-lit®’s digital flare network, SWARCO’s traffic-management infrastructure, and data platforms such as ZOLL’s RescueNet™ and Stryker’s LIFENET® collectively form a connected ecosystem that improves responder safety, accelerates response times, and enhances hospital preparedness—saving lives when seconds matter most.

Building Safer Communities Through Connected Technologies

Intersections remain one of the most dangerous environments for emergency vehicles.

• In Europe, roughly 88,000 crashes involving emergency vehicles occur annually, with 37,000 at intersections.

• In the United States, 224 fatalities from emergency-vehicle crashes were reported in 2022, 72% in multi-vehicle collisions.

• In Canada, limited provincial data (for example, Alberta) suggests over 300 collisions annually, with intersections a key factor.

These statistics highlight the urgent need for advanced technologies that enhance visibility, communication, and situational awareness. A tragic 2021 collision in Kansas City, which claimed three lives, underscores what’s at stake.

Evam's V2X Technology: Revolutionizing Emergency Response

EVAM’s Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) pre-emptive warning technology enables emergency vehicles to communicate directly with traffic infrastructure—automatically clearing intersections before arrival and reducing collision risk. Unlike traditional systems, EVAM’s V2X integrates with existing infrastructure without costly municipal upgrades.

In partnership with Halmstad University, simulation testing showed a 70% improvement in traffic safety and over 10% faster response times. Further validation came through the NordicWay3 project, which connected vehicles, infrastructure, and operators across Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The project proved that Co-operative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) can achieve cross-border interoperability and significant safety gains.

Since this article was first published, EVAM has continued advancing its technology, expanding platform integrations and real-time data capabilities to further enhance situational awareness for emergency responders.

Whelen's Cloud-Based Vehicle Safety Innovations

Whelen Engineering has introduced cloud-enabled and geofence-controlled technologies designed to complement the broader goals of V2X safety. The company’s digital alerting and pre-emption systems notify motorists that an emergency vehicle is approaching—claims indicate collision-risk reductions of up to 90%.

Its new geofence technology automatically adjusts flash patterns in construction or school zones and dynamically reduces siren intensity near sensitive areas, improving both safety and community comfort. Whelen has also developed responder-to-responder alerts to help mitigate the risk of collisions between emergency vehicles converging on the same intersection.

EVAM Vehicle Services: The Operating System for Emergency Vehicles

EVAM’s Vehicle Services Operating System unifies mission-critical tools—Navigation, Communications, Hazmat, and Street View—into one platform. It dynamically reroutes vehicles around congestion and maintains reliable communication through telephony, intercom, and SMS. Real-time data exchange between responders and dispatch enables faster, safer, and more informed decision-making on every call.

EVAM’s Integrated Hospital Solution

In hospital settings, EVAM’s Central Services platform provides real-time visualization of inbound ambulances and patient data. Specialized hospital teams—stroke, STEMI, and trauma units—receive instant alerts and accurate arrival predictions. This synchronization between pre-hospital and hospital resources accelerates treatment for high-acuity patients, reducing time-to-care when seconds matter most.

Emerging Technologies Enhancing Public Safety

EPEK Consulting continues to evaluate emerging technologies showcased across global industry events that align with EVAM’s mission of connected emergency response.

• Whelen Engineering – Offers cloud-connected, geofenced control systems that automatically adjust lighting and siren intensity based on vehicle location. Its digital alerting and pre-emption solutions notify motorists of approaching emergency vehicles, with reported collision-risk reductions of up to 90 percent. Whelen also provides responder-to-responder collision mitigation alerts at shared intersections.

• ZOLL RescueNet Platform – Provides cloud-based 12-lead ECG transmission, real-time in-transit patient monitoring, and Care Exchange integration with hospital EMRs. Together, these functions parallel Stryker’s LIFENET suite by strengthening hospital preparedness and improving clinical decision-making before patient arrival.

• Stryker LIFENET System – Delivers real-time clinical data, including 12-lead ECGs, vital signs, and patient updates, directly from the field to hospital teams. Its cloud-based architecture enables fast team activation and early treatment coordination.

• SWARCO Intelligent Traffic Systems – Integrates seamlessly with V2X technologies to synchronize municipal traffic networks with emergency-vehicle priorities, improving intersection safety and response efficiency.

• pi-lit Smart Sequential Flares with piLINK – Activates digital alerts to mapping platforms such as Waze and Apple Maps when hazards are present, providing motorists with early warning and reducing secondary collisions.

These innovations, while developed independently, share a collective vision of enabling a more connected, predictive, and coordinated emergency-response ecosystem. As interoperability between cloud, vehicle, and infrastructure systems expands, agencies gain the ability to enhance safety, efficiency, and clinical outcomes through shared real-time data.

Proven Impact: Faster Response, Safer Roads, Better Outcomes

ollectively, these technologies represent a growing movement toward fully connected emergency-response systems that link vehicles, infrastructure, and hospitals in real time. By combining pre-emptive warning devices, cloud-based clinical data sharing, and intelligent traffic coordination, emergency services can operate with greater situational awareness and precision.

These advancements are already showing measurable benefits: faster response times, fewer intersection collisions, and better preparedness for high-acuity hospital arrivals. The continued convergence of vehicle-to-everything communication, digital alerting, and cloud-based patient data platforms is helping to shape a safer, more efficient future for both responders and the communities they serve.

Partner with EPEK Consulting

EPEK Consulting bridges the gap between innovation and implementation. By combining frontline experience with technical insight, we help public safety agencies, municipalities, and healthcare organizations evaluate and adopt scalable technologies that improve coordination, safety, and patient outcomes.

Our focus extends beyond any single product. We assess interoperability, integration readiness, and long-term value to ensure that emerging solutions—from V2X communication and geofenced alerts to real-time clinical data platforms—translate into measurable operational benefits.

Connect with us to learn how evidence-based technology evaluation and strategic implementation can modernize your operations, strengthen community safety, and support data-driven decision-making across the entire continuum of emergency response.