Reflective striping on Emergency Vehicles Essay Example

a matter of local or corporate discretion. ” (Kirkwood & Myers, 2007, p.

48) On the other hand, the U. S. government attempted to stabilize and develop this initiative by creating specific mechanisms that will centralize such practices. “The government attempted to standardized ambulance markings in the late 1960s and early 1970s. ” (Kirkwood & Myers, 2007, p. 48) After such, there had been many instances of developments in such field to currently address the needs of the time.

These include, creation of new striping designs, new color schemes and training that will suit and improve visibility and conspicuity. Comparison In comparing the differences of reflective striping on emergency vehicles, the designs and color schemes must be looked into. With the United Kingdom, the color patterns revolve around the schemes that will improve visibility and conspicuity in the optimum level. This scheme includes “an excellent visualization of the impact of high-conspicuity retro-reflective markings, day and night.

” (Kirkwood & Myers, 2007, p. 8) In addition, legislation has been given to further ensure the promotion of such initiative. “The vehicle conspicuity effort has spread throughout the European Union (EU) where the international cooperative governance body has legislated EU standard ECE104 which requires high-conspicuity markings on all emergency vehicles. ” (Kirkwood & Myers, 2007, p.

48)On the other hand, U. S. emergency cars have been continuously creating different methods to further improve reflective striping on emergency vehicles. The first initiative was to create overall designs for an ambulance. This standard prescribed an essentially white color scheme, with a 12 belt-line stripe in Omaha orange, the New Star of Life graphic and the word ambulance in reverse letter. However,

due to its striking relevance with other vehicles, the designed was changed to further stress the importance of these vehicles.

On the other hand, there has been a shift of strategies as ambulances particularly under EMS use such designs for marketing. “In the past decade, our industry has moved away from a standardized look for vehicles, and the trend is for even greater use of EMS vehicles as corporate billboards. (Kirkwood & Myers, 2007, p. 48)On the other hand, for fire trucks, there is an initiative to improve conspicuity in these vehicles. It is said that “this document prescribes substantial use of retro-reflective materials on emergency response vehicles, including large chevrons of 6” alternating red and white materials.

” (Kirkwood & Myers, 2007, p. 51) In addition, there was the program of The Wake County (N. C. ). “The first phase, adopted in 1999, was a new color scheme that abandoned the services historical non-reflective forest green and white in favor of a reflective-blue and white design.Analysis The constant drive for improvement paved the way for the creation of different schemes concerning reflective stripping on emergency vehicles.

Security remains to be the primary concern of citizens and such initiative can help further the cause and its promotion. Constant development mechanisms must be made by concerned parties. A collaborative effort can help increase and further the improvement of different initiatives. Constant reviews must be made to address the changing needs of the time.These “sections look at vehicle safety devices, traffic control measures, highway operations, response issues, and driver training. ” (Erich, 2008, p.

2) Conclusion Reflective striping is just one of the different issues that people

look into when regards to safety. With the changing needs of the time, it must constantly be open to new ideas such as expanding over the Web to further increase scope and access. An example would be creating the program by USFA and IAA. “This emergency vehicle safety program provides basic strategies for improving safety during vehicle and roadway incident operations. ” (USFA & IFF, p. 1)