The Santa Barbara County Fire Department and city of Goleta have announced the recent installation and implementation of a new GPS-based traffic control system that will improve response times and increase public safety.
The Opticom system transmits a signal from an approaching emergency vehicle to the traffic light, prioritizing the green light and allowing the emergency vehicle to continue through the intersection.
Fourteen Santa Barbara County Fire Department fire engines and two trucks have been outfitted with the emitting technology. The system has been installed at 14 Goleta intersections.
“We are pleased to have technology in place that allows for faster and safer service to the community,” said Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig.
Funding for the Opticom system was provided by Mark Linehan, owner of Camino Real Marketplace. Linehan has provided more than $1 million over the years to public safety efforts in Goleta.
“We are extremely proud to partner with Mr. Mark Linehan, owner of the Camino Real Marketplace, and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, to bring this technology here to our community and as a result, provide a higher level of public safety services to our residents,” said Vyto Adomaitis, Goleta Neighborhood Services and Public Safety director.