Integrated Ambulance Tracking and Hospital Communication Framework for Emergency Healthcare

Integrated Ambulance Tracking and Hospital Communication Framework for Emergency Healthcare

Sadia Manha

ECE Department, G Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science

B Sree Manaswini

ECE Department, G Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science

M Haritha

ECE Department, G Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science

K Chinmayi

ECE Department, G Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science

Nagaraju L

ECE Department, G Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science

Abstract – In medical emergencies, the most important thing is to reach the hospital on time to save lives. But ambulances are often delayed due to traffic congestion and a lack of coordination between traffic control systems and hospitals. This can result in the denial of immediate medical attention to patients, especially during the golden hour of emergency care. To overcome this problem, this paper proposes an Ambulance Co-ordination System to optimize ambulance movement and emergency response time. The proposed system employs RFID technology to offer automatic priority at traffic signals for ambulances. Each ambulance has a distinct RFID tag that is scanned by a reader mounted on traffic signals, which enables the green signal to be turned on and allows the ambulance to pass through without any hindrances. When ambulances from opposite directions are about to reach the traffic signal, a priority system controlled by the hospital is employed to give priority to the ambulance carrying the most critical patient. The system also enables live tracking of ambulances using GPS and exchange of patient information through GSM communication, allowing the hospital to prepare in advance. On the whole, the proposed system provides a feasible and cost-effective solution for minimizing response time and enhancing emergency medical services.

Keywords – Ambulance Coordination System, Embedded Systems, Emergency Medical Services, GPS Tracking, GSM Communication, RFID Technology, Smart Traffic Management, Traffic Signal Priority.

INTRODUCTION

Emergency medical services are an important aspect of saving human life, especially in the event of accidents, heart attacks, and other life-threatening emergencies. Nevertheless, in most modern and developing cities, ambulances often face extreme delays owing to traffic congestion and poor traffic signal control. Even a slight delay at traffic signals can greatly impact the survival of patients, especially during the critical golden hour. Consequently, enhancing ambulance movement through traffic and hospital coordination has become a significant area of research.

Numerous research studies have attempted to resolve the issue of ambulance delays by developing intelligent traffic control systems and technology-driven emergency management systems. In the beginning, research studies were directed towards manual-assisted traffic clearance or siren-based priority systems, which were inefficient and relied on human intervention. With the advent of embedded systems and wireless communication technology, automated systems based on RFID, GPS, GSM, and IoT have been extensively researched

Sudhakara H. M. et al. [1] designed an RFID-based smart ambulance and traffic controlling system, where the traffic signals are automatically controlled when an emergency ambulance is approaching an intersection. The authors showed that their system could reduce the waiting time of ambulances effectively during peak hours. Nevertheless, the study mainly concentrated on clearing traffic signals and did not take into account hospital management and priority handling for multiple ambulances.

Sutar et al. [2] designed an IoT-based smart ambulance monitoring system using GPS and GSM modules for ambulance location tracking and remote control of traffic signals. The system allowed real-time tracking of ambulances and traffic signal priority control based on location information. Although the system improved visibility and control, it mainly concentrated on centralized monitoring and internet connectivity.

Madani [3] described a smart traffic signal control system based on IoT to control traffic flow as ambulances approach intersections. The article focused on the need to minimize signal delays and pointed out that a large percentage of emergency deaths are caused by traffic congestion. Nevertheless, the article was primarily focused on signal control and did not consider communication of patient information or hospital readiness.

Shukla et al. [4] described a smart ambulance service system based on GPS and mobile applications to provide connectivity between ambulance drivers, patients, and hospitals. Their system enabled users to book ambulances and track them through Google Maps. Although the system was effective in improving accessibility and routing, it relied on mobile applications and human interaction, which may not be feasible in all emergency scenarios.

Thorat et al. [5] described a smart ambulance service system based on IoT that primarily concentrated on patient health monitoring through sensors and GPS tracking. Although the system had many benefits, it gave more importance to patient health monitoring than traffic signal coordination..

Strandås et al. [6] performed an integrative systematic review on patient safety in prehospital emergency medical services, focusing on the importance of timely decision- making and communication by paramedics. The review stressed that the time taken to reach healthcare facilities is a significant factor in patient outcomes, reiterating the need for better ambulance coordination systems.

Dahiya et al. [7] reviewed various IoT smart ambulance systems, examining various methods for traffic congestion control and emergency vehicle priority. The comparative review concluded that although various technologies are available, most systems fail to integrate traffic control with hospital coordination.

Prakash et al. [8] designed an IoT smart traffic management system that dynamically changes signal timing according to traffic density and the presence of emergency vehicles. The system successfully controlled traffic congestion but prioritized emergency vehicles equally without considering patient severity.

Hampiholi [9] described the latest technological developments in smart ambulance systems, such as real- time monitoring, telemedicine, and diagnostic systems. The paper pointed out the difficulties in making such systems work together, as well as the cost of implementation, and proposed the need for more straightforward embedded solutions.

The current literature is mostly concerned with either traffic signal priority or ambulance monitoring, with little help available for hospital-assisted decision support in multi-ambulance environments. In this respect, this paper proposes an Ambulance Co-ordination System that combines RFID traffic signal control with hospital- controlled priority allocation, as well as GPS tracking and GSM communication.

System Architecture

The proposed Ambulance Co-ordination System is developed as an integrated embedded and communication system that facilitates smooth interaction between ambulances, traffic signals, and hospitals. The system aims to minimize delays of ambulances at traffic signals while ensuring that hospitals are updated and in control of traffic signal priority decisions.

Figure 1. overall architecture of the Ambulance Co-ordination System

Figure 1 shows the overall architecture of the Ambulance Co-ordination System, where patient and location information from the ambulance is tansmitted to the hospital for authorization, and RFID-based traffic signal control is implemented to offer priority passage.

The heart of the system is the microcontroller-based unit that is placed inside the ambulance, along with location, communication, and identification modules. The overall architecture is divided into three major functional units: the Ambulance Unit, the Hospital Control Unit, and the Traffic Signal Unit.

1. Ambulance Unit

   The ambulance unit is tasked with the responsibility of obtaining patient information and the real-time location of the ambulance. Basic patient information and emergency type are provided using a simple input interface and are processed by the microcontroller (Arduino/ESP8266). Simultaneously, the GPS module is continuously obtaining

   the latitude and longitude of the ambulance. The microcontroller processes patient information and location data and transmits it to the hospital using the GSM module. This enables the hospital to track the movement of the ambulance and be prepared in advance. Every ambulance has an RFID tag that is in standby mode until authorization is received from the hospital.

   Figure 2. proposed system block diagram

2. Hospital Control Unit

   The hospital control unit is the decision-making component of the system. The information received from the ambulance is shown on a hospital dashboard, which displays patient information and the real-time location of the ambulance. Depending on the level of emergency, the hospital staff can grant or refuse priority access. After the grant is approved, an authorization signal is sent to the ambulance through the GSM network. This triggers the RFID tag, which ensures that the traffic signal priority is granted only for emergencies.

3. Traffic Signal Unit

   The traffic signal unit comprises an RFID reader placed at road intersections and a microcontroller-based traffic signal controller. Upon the arrival of the authorized ambulance at the intersection, the RFID reader reads the active tag and authenticates it. After authentication, the traffic controller temporarily interrupts the regular signal cycle, turning the ambulances lane green while keeping other lanes red. After the ambulance has crossed the intersection, the traffic signals resume their normal operation.

4. System Coordination and Data Flow

The patient and location information is transmitted from the ambulance to the hospital, the authorization signal is returned from the hospital to the ambulance, and the traffic priority is granted only after the RFID authentication at the intersection. In summary, the proposed architecture offers a feasible, cost-effective, and scalable solution that leverages embedded hardware, wireless communication,

and hospital-driven decision-making for efficient emergency response.

IMPLEMENTATION

The proposed system is implemented by integrating embedded hardware, wireless communication, and real- time control logic to make effective ambulance coordination and traffic management possible.

1. Automated Traffic Signal Control Module

   Each ambulance is provided with a distinct RFID tag, while RFID readers are mounted at traffic intersections and linked to an Arduino controller. As an ambulance approaches an intersection, the reader identifies the RFID tag and sends a signal to the Arduino controller to turn on the corresponding green traffic light. Once the ambulance has crossed, the signal reverts to its normal state. This helps to avoid traffic intervention by humans.

2. Priority-Based Ambulance Management

   In cases where multiple ambulances are involved, a priority-based system is implemented. Basic patient data is sent to the hospital or control center through GSM communication. Depending on the emergency level, priority is given to the relevant ambulance to ensure that critically ill patients are cleared immediately while maintaining smooth traffic flow.

3. Live Tracking and Real-Time Coordination

   The GPS module is used to track the location of the ambulance continuously and send the location details to the hospital through GSM communication. This helps in real- time tracking, estimation of arrival time, and coordination between traffic authorities and hospitals.

4. Patient Information Transmission and Hospital Preparedness

The patient information, including identification and type of emergency, is sent to the hospital before arrival through GSM communication. This helps the hospital prepare for the treatment of the patient, and faster treatment leads to better patient outcomes.

Table 1. system parameters.

RESULT

The proposed Ambulance Co-ordination System has been successfully simulated and implemented using hardware to test its efficiency in optimizing the movement of ambulances and coordination with traffic signals.

The first aim of understanding system behavior has been fulfilled by simulations in Tinkercad. Simulation of ambulance movement and interaction with the traffic signals using Arduino and Tinkercad is shown in Figure 3.

centers can give priority, and the system automatically changes the signals for a smooth flow of ambulances.

The system is functioning well for real-time simulation, signal control using RFID technology, and priority management at the intersection. GPS for real-time vehicle management and control from hospitals will be integrated for overall management.

Figure 3. Simulation Model

The visualization model verifies the successful implementation of RFID detection, arrival of ambulances, and management at the hospital.

Figure 6. Live Location of The Ambulance And Patient Details

Figure 4. Automatic Traffic Signal Control

Figure 4 shows the functionality of the traffic signal when a normal vehicle is approaching. Using the RFID detection system, the traffic signals are automatically turned green for the ambulances without affecting the normal flow of vehicles.

Figure 5. Priority Management at Crossroad Junctions

Figure 5 shows the priority management system at the intersection level. Also, when more ambulances arrive at the intersection simultaneously, the hospitals or command

Apart from the control of traffic signals and priority, the system also shows effective communication of the current location of the ambulance and the patient. The GPS module is responsible for the continuous acquisition of the geographical location of the ambulance, which enables the real-time monitoring of the location. The microcontroller processes the location and sends it to the hospital unit via the GSM module. This ensures that the hospital has the correct information about the location of the ambulance.

Figure 7. Hardware Implementation of The Project

The system also supports the transmission of patient details, where the necessary details such as the patients identity and the type of emergency are sent to the hospital

before arrival. Once an emergency condition is detected, the LCD display offers immediate system feedback, indicating messages such as Accident Occurred, which shows the activation of the emergency process. At the same time, the GSM module sends an alert message with the patients details and the current location of the ambulance as shown in the Figure 6.

Conclusion

This project shows that the integration of embedded systems and communication systems can greatly improve the efficiency of emergency medical services. The poposed Ambulance Co-ordination System provides a coordinated system that links ambulances, traffic signals, and hospitals to reduce intersection delays and increase hospital readiness. The system provides an RFID-based traffic signal priority system and a hospital-assisted priority system to manage the controlled and efficient movement of ambulances. The system also provides GPS- based real-time location tracking and GSM-based patient information transmission, allowing for real-time coordination between ambulances and hospitals. The system’s modules provide a systematic and trustworthy approach to emergency vehicle management. The system proves that traffic clearance, priority processing, and pre- arrival notification of hospitals can be done without interfering with the normal flow of traffic. The system’s results show the feasibility, scalability, and reliability of the proposed system for practical emergency situations. This study strongly suggests that better coordination between transportation infrastructure and healthcare systems can help reduce response time and ultimately help save lives, making the system a promising solution for smart city and intelligent healthcare applications.

References

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