Henry County secures grant to revolutionize emergency response
October 02, 2024 | Henry County, Georgia
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Transportation Planning Director Sam Baker detailed the grant's purpose: to implement a connected vehicle technology prototype aimed at enhancing emergency response times for the Henry County Fire Department. This technology will allow emergency vehicles to change traffic signals from red to green at critical intersections, potentially reducing response times significantly. Baker cited the city of Marietta, which has already seen a two-minute reduction in emergency response times due to similar technology, emphasizing the life-saving potential of such advancements.
To ensure the effectiveness of the deployment, Henry County has installed 32 roadside units and 45 onboard units in emergency vehicles. A performance analysis will be conducted by Kimley Horn, selected for their proposal at a cost of $232,000, fully funded by the smart grant. This analysis aims to compare response times before and after the technology's implementation.
The meeting also addressed future plans, with Henry County intending to apply for a second stage of the smart grant to expand the technology's reach throughout the county. Baker expressed ambitions to deploy connected vehicle technology at all major intersections and engage local municipalities and citizens in the planning process.
The board unanimously approved the agreements for both the performance analysis and the development of a comprehensive connected vehicle technology deployment plan, which will be executed by Sonomar Incorporated at no cost to the county. This initiative positions Henry County at the forefront of connected vehicle planning in Georgia, aiming to enhance public safety and emergency response capabilities.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meetingSponsors
Proudly supported by sponsors who keep Georgia articles free in 2025
