Road Safety Revolution: Innovative Emergency Vehicle Alert System
Stellantis Launches EVAS to Enhance Emergency Response Safety
The Birth of EVAS: A Step Forward in Rescue Safety
The world of emergency services is evolving with the introduction of new technologies aimed at improving the safety of both rescuers and citizens. A recent example of this evolution is the Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS) launched by Stellantis. The EVAS system, developed in collaboration with HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud, represents a significant innovation in the field of emergency services. This system notifies drivers of the presence of nearby emergency vehicles, thus increasing safety and reducing the risk of collisions. The need for such a system was highlighted by a near-miss incident experienced by a Stellantis employee, who did not hear an approaching emergency vehicle due to noise inside her vehicle. This experience prompted the creation of EVAS, which is now integrated into Stellantis vehicles produced from 2018 onwards, equipped with Uconnect 4 or 5 infotainment systems.
How EVAS Works
The EVAS system uses real-time data from emergency vehicles connected to HAAS’s Safety Cloud. When an emergency vehicle activates its light bar, the responder’s location is transmitted via cellular technology to vehicles with Safety Cloud transponders, using geofencing to exclude vehicles on the opposite side of divided highways. The alert is sent to nearby drivers and other emergency vehicles within about a half-mile radius, providing an additional warning and more time to move over and slow down compared to conventional lights and sirens alone.
The Impact of EVAS on Road Safety
Studies have shown that emergency vehicle alert systems like EVAS can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents. This is particularly important considering that road incidents are the second leading cause of death among U.S. firefighters and law enforcement officers. EVAS aims to reduce these incidents by providing drivers with an earlier and more effective warning of the presence of emergency vehicles.
The Future of EVAS and Further Developments
Stellantis is the first automobile manufacturer to offer the EVAS system, but it will not be the only one. HAAS Alert is already in discussions with other car manufacturers to implement the system. Additionally, Stellantis plans to add new features to EVAS over time, such as steering wheel vibration when an emergency vehicle approaches and, eventually, the ability for vehicles with highway driving assistance to automatically change lanes to avoid emergency vehicles, provided the adjacent lane is free.