Shelbyville makes major advancement in public safety and emergency response times

Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 10:59 AM

By Staff report

The City of Shelbyville announced a major advancement in public safety and emergency response times with the installation of state-of-the-art emergency vehicle preemption technology at approximately 25 traffic signals throughout the city.

In a press release, the city explained that the cutting-edge system was made possible by a nearly $1 million federal grant from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). It will allow emergency vehicles to request priority at intersections, ensuring they can navigate traffic more efficiently and respond to critical situations faster than ever before.

“The ability to adjust traffic signals in real-time to accommodate emergency vehicles is a game-changer for our city,” said City Engineer Tyler Comstock. “This investment directly enhances public safety by reducing response times for fire and EMS while also improving overall traffic flow for drivers.”

The project is part of a broader initiative to enhance road safety through intelligent transportation solutions. With traffic preemption technology, emergency vehicles will have the ability to safely and efficiently pass through intersections, decreasing delays and improving service reliability across Shelby County.

“Shelbyville is taking bold steps to bring forward-thinking technology to our community,” said Mayor Scott Furgeson. “This is not just an investment in infrastructure—it’s an investment in the safety and well-being of every resident and visitor who travels our roads.”

The design phase has begun with future installation of the emergency preemption equipment set to begin Fall 2026 and will be completed in phases.

The City of Shelbyville will continue to update the public on progress and expected benefits as implementation moves forward.

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