Skip to main content

Success of first eCall tests in Greece

Greece has successfully completed the first tests of its automatic emergency call system, eCall, within the framework of the eCall pilot national research project, a European initiative intended to bring rapid assistance to motorists involved in a collision anywhere in the European Union. eCall uses a device installed in vehicles that will automatically dial 112 (the pre-assigned European emergency number) in the event of a road accident and wirelessly send airbag deployment, impact sensor information and G
October 2, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Greece has successfully completed the first tests of its automatic emergency call system, eCall, within the framework of the eCall pilot national research project, a European initiative intended to bring rapid assistance to motorists involved in a collision anywhere in the 1816 European Union.

eCall uses a device installed in vehicles that will automatically dial 112 (the pre-assigned European emergency number) in the event of a road accident and wirelessly send airbag deployment, impact sensor information and GPS coordinates to local emergency services.

The eCall project in Greece aims to implement and demonstrate a national pilot application for the system. The system will automatically notify the emergency services of vehicle accident via mobile telecommunication networks, and complying with the same technical standards and with the same Quality of Service across Europe.

The eCall project is coordinated by 374 Ertico's partner organisation, the 5987 Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS), with the participation of mobile network operator Cosmote Mobile Telecommunications and software and electronics supplier 6642 Space Hellas. It is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union and by national resources under the 2007-2013 NSRF and the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship (OPC II) framework.

The tests were carried out on a prototype system using a research vehicle; emergency calls were routed from the ICCS in-vehicle system (IVS), through the Cosmote mobile telecommunication network to the public safety answering point (PSAP), which was installed by Space Hellas.

According to the EU, eCall cuts emergency services response time down to 50% in rural areas and 60% in urban areas. The quicker response will save hundreds of lives in the EU every year, and the severity of injuries will be considerably reduced in tens of thousands of cases.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Ertico holds General Assembly
    June 21, 2012
    Ertico – ITS Europe held its annual General Assembly in Brussels yesterday and over 60 representatives from the different sectors represented by Ertico (service providers, public authorities, vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, users, research, mobile network operators, and traffic and transport industry) focused on the organisation's activities and policy positions as well as discussing the next important milestones such as the 19th ITS World Congress organised by Ertico, in close cooperation with the Austr
  • Amsterdam Group turn ITS theory into practice
    August 6, 2013
    ASECAP’s Marko Jandrisits discusses the Amsterdam Group’s efforts to bring a sense of order to cooperative ITS deployments. When an issue arises which is deemed to require a technological solution governments and public-sector agencies around the world all too often tread the same sorry path. A decision is made to research and develop said technology to the production-ready stage, the work is done and the technology realised but then the money for deployment runs out and the technology is left on the shelf
  • The future looks bright for ITS
    June 4, 2015
    Professor Eric Sampson talks about the past successes of ITS, its potential for the future and the challenges the industry faces. If anybody should know when Intelligent Transport Systems started that person is Professor Eric Sampson, a visiting professor at both Newcastle and London City Universities. Having spent 40 years working for the UK’s Department of Transport and other public administrations, Professor Sampson now supports the European Commission on ITS systems and advises ERTICO ITS-Europe and ITS
  • Abertis offers breath of fresh air
    December 20, 2022
    The idea of congestion charging zones in cities is well-established. But in Valencia, Spain, the authorities are considering something slightly different – and it has clear implications for the road user charging debate. Adam Hill talks to Christian Barrientos of Abertis Mobility Services