Conspicuous or What?
In 2003 our engineering team conducted research into how conspicuous emergency vehicles were and if a measuring chart did not exist for rating conspicuity, then to develop one. The end result was the development of EVCON the Emergency Vehicle Conspicuity Scoring System. EVCON is based on four conspicuity factors: 1. Fluorescent colors, 2. Retroreflective sheeting, 3. Contrasting colors, and 4. Pattern. To demonstrate the highest and second highest conspicuity ratings, we outfitted two ambulances in all their glory. The highest possible rating for conspicuity is the purple and yellow unit. No one ever purchased the purple and yellow design, however some EMS operators purchased the blue and orange pattern. As well, some of the EVCON elements such as fluorescent colors, larger areas of retroreflective sheeting and the rear Chevron pattern began to find their way onto many Canadian ambulances. And that was our objective - to make emergency vehicles more conspicuious which makes them safer to work in and around.
