Emergency Roadside Telephone: Type 354 (ERT) - GAI-Tronics - #1

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GAI-Tronics Capability Type 354 Emergency Roadside Telephone Overview Recently, the Highways Agency launched their new Type 354 Emergency Roadside Telephone (ERT). The launch signalled the start of a multi million pound programme to replace over 6500 ERT’s on the motorway and all purpose trunk road network in England. The new ERT is a high-visibility emergency telephone, which may be configured to meet different installation requirements. Unlike its predecessor, the Type 352A (also made by GAI-Tronics), the Type 354 also offers a range of innovative features that greatly improve the clarity and functionality for both the user at the roadside, and for the operator monitoring calls in the Control Office. By utilising a sophisticated Noise-Cancelling system, the Type 354 gives improved audio performance both for the road user and the Control Office operator. In addition the innovative use of non-voice communications enables the ERT to be used by people who have difficulty communicating in spoken English (e.g. the hard of hearing or non- English speaking). The ERT’s many innovative features include: • display for user prompting, volume control and non-voice communication • stylish ergonomic design • patented safety design meeting latest European Standards. BS EN 12767 • environmentally friendly with solar cells and very low power consumption • low maintenance costs and increased reliability • rapid installation and replacement • comprehensive diagnostics including automatic self testing and reporting Variants There are three main electrical variants of the Type 354 ERT: • NMCS • Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) • GSM A feature of the Type 354 design is its modular construction. This allows the ERT to be installed in a variety of applications such as bridge parapet and tunnel situations as well as the more normal columnar version. The standard column mounted ERT comprises: • The Column Module • The Telephone Instrument Module • The Header Module There are a number of variations of these modules to cater for specific installations, including: • Parapet mounting variant (2/4 wire NMCS/ PSTN) • Wall mounting variant (2/4 wire NMCS/ PSTN) • Parapet mounting variant (GSM) • Wall mounting variant (GSM) • Tunnel variant (2/4 wire NMCS/PSTN) Module Assembly • Recess variant (2/4 wire NMCS/PSTN) For NMCS or PSTN variants of Type 354 ERTs the user simply lifts the handset to initiate a call and to connect to the control facility. In addition, there is a variant of ERT known as the ‘user service selection’ which allows the user to select a service prior to the initiation of a call and the ERT dials the appropriate telephone number for the service selected.