Technology to ensure emergency vehicles only encounter green lights at intersections is being rolled out across Queensland.
Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey says the emergency vehicle priority (EVP) technology has already been trialled in Townsville, Bundaberg and southeast Queensland.
"The technology has proven successful with EVP-equipped vehicles on the Gold Coast showing travel time reductions by up to 26 per cent," Mr Bailey said.
There are currently more than 800 intersections, 215 ambulances and 69 fire trucks equipped with the technology.
Mr Bailey said rolling the $13.5 million program out state wide would take four years, with Toowoomba and Mackay next in line.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services deputy commissioner Mark Rochie said the technology, which is the first of its kind in Australia, would ultimately help save lives.
"The reality is that this save seconds, and seconds do count," Mr Rochie said.
Mr Bailey said the government was also in talks with the Queensland Police Service about how best to implement the technology.
Police vehicles are usually mobile, instead of coming from a fixed point like a fire station, making it more difficult for them to use the technology, he said.
