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.

Related Content

  • November 8, 2016
    Major European project for safer cycling
    A major EU project is studying ways of facilitating the interaction between cyclists and motorists with the help of technical aids in order to reduce the risk of accidents. Project Xcycle, which involves researchers from six European countries, aims to find ways of achieving greater equality for cyclists in traffic, encouraging more cycling, and making travel by bicycle safer. The Swedish Road and National Transport Research Institute (VTI) is a major player in the project and are responsible for evaluating
  • April 17, 2014
    MEPs endorse EU infrastructure upgrades for eCall
    Agreement between the Council and Parliament negotiators on the deployment of EU-wide eCall, which requires member states to upgrade existing eCall receiving infrastructure by 1 October 2017 at the latest to be able to respond to calls from eCall devices in cars has been approved by MEPs. According to text approved by the Parliament, EU member states have to install the necessary eCall answering infrastructure for the proper receipt and handling of all eCalls no later than 1 October 2017 and at least six
  • February 7, 2020
    Autopilot consortium demos IoT benefits for AVs

    A consortium of European partners demonstrated this week how the Internet of Things (IoT) can be used to improve autonomous driving.

    Autopilot (Automated driving progressed by IoT) is a large-scale pilot funded by the European Commission in which partners such as Ertico – ITS Europe and TNO tested IoT-enabled autonomous vehicles (AVs) in France, Finland, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. 

    Other partners involved in Autopilot include IBM, Continental and Huawei.

  • March 4, 2014
    Traffic congestion rise in Europe a ‘sign of economic recovery’
    A new report from leading traffic information and driver services provider Inrix shows traffic congestion in Europe rose in 2013 for the first time in two years. According to the 2013 annual Inrix Traffic Scorecard, traffic congestion across Europe increased approximately six per cent in the last three quarters of the year. The amount of time British drivers spent in traffic throughout the year has risen slightly, from 29 hours in 2012 to 30 hours in 2013. This puts the UK in sixth place in Europe, behi