Skip to main content

Pan-European eCall takes a step forward

The European vehicle safety system eCall has taken another step forward with the launch in Spain of the second phase of HeERO (Harmonised eCall European Pilot). HeERO is an international project, supported by the European Union, which aims to help EU member states to prepare pilot sites for the deployment of eCall in 2015. HeERO, which started in 2011 and will conclude in 2014, aims to prepare pilot sites in many EU member states for the deployment of the eCall system in 2015. In January 2011, the nine Euro
January 15, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
The European vehicle safety system eCall has taken another step forward with the launch in Spain of the second phase of HeERO (7093 Harmonised eCall European Pilot). HeERO is an international project, supported by the 1816 European Union, which aims to help EU member states to prepare pilot sites for the deployment of eCall in 2015.
 
HeERO, which started in 2011 and will conclude in 2014, aims to prepare pilot sites in many EU member states for the deployment of the eCall system in 2015.

In January 2011, the nine European countries forming the HeERO consortium embarked a three-year programme (HeERO 1) leading to the piloting and deployment of eCall.

The nine countries forming the consortium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania and Sweden, were joined on 1 January 2013 by six new countries, namely Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain and Turkey, for the second phase of the project, HeERO 2.

eCall is a new road safety service based on the common European Emergency number 112. Using 112, the eCall system automatically calls emergency services if a vehicle is involved in an accident – even if the driver is unconscious or unable to respond. At the emergency call centre, the rescue services will be able to see the location of the accident and will also receive information on the kind of vehicle involved, enabling them to immediately dispatch the right rescue response.
 
The project has generated such a high level of interest that a further four associated partner countries will participate at their own cost with another five countries hoping to join in the first quarter of 2013.

“This exciting project will bring this ground-breaking technology to life. The next steps will see the engagement of 19 pilot sites working together to ready those countries for eCall”, explains project coordinator Andy Rooke, 374 Ertico – ITS Europe.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • EU supports key TEN-T infrastructure projects
    July 31, 2014
    In the last Calls of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) Programme, the European Commission selected a total of 106 projects that will benefit from over US$428 million in EU support for improving transport infrastructure across Europe. The 52 projects selected from the 2013 Multi-Annual Call and 54 from the 2013 Annual Call will use the EU’s financial support to bring forward the completion of the TEN-T network as well as studying innovative ways of reducing the transport sector’s carbon footprint.
  • Upgrading Turkey's tolling system
    April 25, 2013
    A programme modernising road tolling equipment on Turkey’s national highway network has resulted in what is arguably Europe’s most advanced toll system, reports Jon Masters. Turkey has introduced a new system of technology for charging for use of its 2000km national highway network, heralded as the first full-scale use of passive RFID tags for electronic open road tolling in Europe. The new ‘Fast Passing System’ (HGS) is an upgrade of Turkey’s existing Automatic Passing System (OGS) technology, which uses
  • HERMES Study provides guidance for forward ITS thinking in Finland
    August 25, 2016
    Having authored HERMES, a major study for the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communication, Josef Czako talks to ITS International about his findings and lessons for other authorities. When CEOs of major automakers are predicting more change in the next five years than in the past 50, what is the role of national authorities considering the benefits of innovations in ITS?
  • Transit takes on demanding role
    April 2, 2021
    Community transport - or paratransit - has historically formed the basis of demand-responsive operations. But with new routing technologies, David Crawford sees wider potential