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

  • Monitoring, detection and control systems inside tunnels can do much to improve traveller safety
    August 6, 2013
    ITS technology can do a great deal to improve tunnel safety, as Colin Sowman discovers. It was back in April 2004 that the European Parliament adopted the EU Directive which lays down the Minimum Safety Requirements for Tunnels in the Trans-European Road Network (2004/54/EC). This was the first unitary legislation setting minimum safety standards for European road tunnels and was designed to harmonise the management of tunnel safety at a national level. Operators of existing tunnels have until 30 April 201
  • A new beginning for travel information, based on users' needs
    February 3, 2012
    Despite its name, the EU's forthcoming SUNSET project could represent a new beginning for travel information services. Here, Susan Grant-Muller and Frances Hodgson from the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds detail a project which is intended to exert a greater influence on network users' travel habits
  • European enforcement marathon sees 12,000 plus speeding penalties issued
    April 20, 2015
    TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network has announced the provisional results from the first pan European 24-hour speed enforcement marathon, carried out on Thursday and Friday, 16 and 17 April. So far, a total of 122,581 speeding offences were detected exceeding speed limits between 6am on Thursday and 6am on Friday. 17 out of 22 countries have now provided data. Of these, 116,479 were detected by police officers, with 6,102 detections using automatic devices. A total of 4,253,386 vehicles wer
  • Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: a solution or another problem?
    November 27, 2013
    Do Advanced Driver Assistance Systems represent a positive step forward for safety, or something of a safety risk? Jason Barnes discusses the issue with leading industry figures. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are already common. Anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control are well understood and are either fitted as standard or frequently requested by new vehicle buyers. More advanced ADAS features are appearing on many top-end vehicles and the trickle-down has already started. Adaptive