eCall is an emergency call (112) generated either manually by vehicle occupants or automatically via activation of in-vehicle sensors, following a collision. The service is free for all the citizens of Europe.
When activated, the in-vehicle eCall system will establish a voice connection directly with the relevant PSAP (Public Safety Answering Points). At the same time, a minimum set of data (MSD) is sent to the PSAP operator receiving the voice call, providing the location and other vehicle data.
Road safety is one of the major elements of the European Union’s transport policy. eCall will contribute significantly to the reduction of road fatalities and alleviation of the severity of road injuries. The harmonised implementation of an interoperable EU-wide eCall service in the EU has been on the agenda of the European Commission since 2005 and has become now a priority action for the improvement of road safety and the deployment of ITS in Europe.
In August 2010, Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2010 on the framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other modes of transport entered into force, with the ‘harmonised provision for an interoperable EU-wide eCall’ as one of the six priority actions identified for the adoption of specifications.
According to the EU legislation, eCall is a mandatory standard equipment on board of all new type-approved M1 and N1 vehicles. However, as European PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points) are equipped to receive eCall, it is expected that many existing vehicles will be retro-fitted with after-market eCall devices.
The aim of “sAFE – Aftermarket eCall For Europe” is to define the standards and specifications to pave the way for deployment of aftermarket systems for eCall. The deployment shall reduce the number of fatalities in the Union as well as the severity of injuries caused by road accidents.
The focus of the Action is to continue improve the safety on roads as defined in §19a of the Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 for the development of the trans-European transport network and repealing Decision No 661/2010/EU as one of the priorities for road infrastructure development. sAFE will reduce risks and required duration for successful full deployment of after-market 112 eCall in the EU.
In order to guarantee the full functionality, compatibility, interoperability, continuity and conformity of after after-market across Europe to the existing eCall, specifications will be derived establishing criteria. This will limit the number of false eCall to PSAP. In order to maximize the effect of deployment of aftermarket systems, the scope is not limited to vehicle Categories M1 (Cars) N1 (Light Commercial Vehicles) but will include additional Categories as already being specified by CEN TC278 WG15.
The technology evolution (from circuit switched to packet switched using IMS) is handled in CEN TS 17184 (conformance texts in CEN TS 17240).
eCall from a C-ITS equipped vehicle can be achieved using CEN TS 17182
Assuring the continued integrity of eCall of all vehicle types in Europe is crucial. This requires formulation of specifications and respective standards as a base for the assessment scheme. The assessment scheme will ensure quality and reliability, which is the key in preventing false activation and creating trust in proper functionality.
Once developed, the appropriate standards are to be used as base for the assessment process, which will be developed within the European standardisation body. The application and usage of the assessment scheme may be adopted in the Union via the introduction to the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA).
Whilst the mandated deployment of eCall for all new types of M1 (Cars) N1 (Light Commercial Vehicles), will have an effect on road safety throughout the European Union, there are already over 300 million vehicles already on the roads of Europe, and more if the scope is extended to include other vehicles types. These vehicles cannot benefit from the deployment of eCall, as eCall only currently applies to new vehicles where the eCall device form part of the vehicle assembly process. If eCall were extended to the existing vehicle fleet on the roads of Europe, there would be a huge potential market for after-market devices.
Many vehicle equipment manufacturers can see commercial opportunities for an aftermarket eCall system, as drivers can see the benefits of after-market fitting of their vehicle with eCall.
The Action will focus on the aftermarket 112 eCall environment, to create, and in the future deploy, an effective and affordable eCall solution for each vehicle type, through the development of standards, operating procedures, testing and certification.
One of the main goals of the Action is to protect PSAP from unacceptable level of false calls. The false calls may be initiated by eCall only, value added service eCall and even TPS eCall systems. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that there are minimum requirements for all these types of aftermarket systems.
Specific objectives are:
– identify minimum performance and conformance requirements for aftermarket 112-eCall systems and devices This will avoid overload of PSAPs with false call
– deal with the necessary variants of aftermarket eCall systems that will use the single emergency number of 112
– work with the European Standardisation bodies to develop the necessary technical standards for aftermarket eCall systems
Project sAFE will consider the practicability of aftermarket equipment achieving all of the appropriate aspects of the eCall suite of Standards (EN15722, EN16072, EN16062, EN 16454), and supplemented by TS 17249 parts 2 -6; TS 17184 &TS 17240.
Particular attention will be provided (Separately for each vehicle category) in respect of the practicability and reliability of populating the MSD (EN 15722) and, where appropriate, a variant of EN15722 for aftermarket systems may need to be developed.
Once these aspects are considered and effective solutions specified, they must be evaluated against existing conformance texts (EN 16454 / TS 17240) and aftermarket variants for conformance tests) may need to be specified.
Where aftermarket specific variants of any of the above are required, Project sAFE, in coordination with CEN TC278 WG15 will provide completed working drafts of any such variants to CEN TC278, and will work together with CEN TC278 WG15 to establish approval of the necessary work items, and provide drafts until at least TC Review stage.
To develop the necessary conformity scheme for aftermarket eCall, this will include:
– Validation of requirement’s and specification in real life environment
– Validation of standards in real life environment
– Validation of the conformity scheme by a prototypical assessment of an aftermarket system