Low-Cost Infrared Vision Systems for Improved Safety of Emergency Vehicle Operations Under Low-Visibility Conditions
It addresses collision risks for emergency vehicle operators in challenging conditions like fog and night, though it is incremental as it applies existing IR technology to a specific domain.
This study tackled the problem of improving safety for emergency vehicles in low-visibility conditions by evaluating infrared camera technology, finding that it enhances driver awareness and is feasible for retrofitting existing fleets.
This study investigates the potential of infrared (IR) camera technology to enhance driver safety for emergency vehicles operating in low-visibility conditions, particularly at night and in dense fog. Such environments significantly increase the risk of collisions, especially for tow trucks and snowplows that must remain operational in challenging conditions. Conventional driver assistance systems often struggle under these conditions due to limited visibility. In contrast, IR cameras, which detect the thermal signatures of obstacles, offer a promising alternative. The evaluation combines controlled laboratory experiments, real-world field tests, and surveys of emergency vehicle operators. In addition to assessing detection performance, the study examines the feasibility of retrofitting existing Department of Transportation (DoT) fleets with cost-effective IR-based driver assistance systems. Results underscore the utility of IR technology in enhancing driver awareness and provide data-driven recommendations for scalable deployment across legacy emergency vehicle fleets.