Project Summary

The project is a proof of concept software-as-a-service that utilises existing eCall datasets, mandatory in new cars and vans, to reduce response time to accidents and breakdowns on motorways and rural roads. The goal is to minimise fatalities, injuries, congestion, and emissions. The current data extraction process is not suitable for emergency services use. The project aims to filter, process, and present the data in a usable format to maximise road operators and 999 services’ safety benefits, creating an appealing investment opportunity with licensed IP options and another route to market.

Project Achievements

We focussed on the processing of eCall data already in use (10,000 calls a month) to maximise its value and make it simpler to use operationally. Our main achievement was comparing the time taken to respond to voice calls to 999 with the TeCall response, which saves 1 minute in locating a vehicle and 5 minutes in road operator response setting. A further highlight was linking our TeCall output with other systems for example in vehicle signing and email messages to traffic authorities. We collaborated with several police forces and fire & rescue services and their IT suppliers, Motability to address EDI issues, DfT, The RAC Foundation, KL Systems, National Highways. T a t v p o w

Conclusions

The proof of concept showed significant time savings and added value data over and above the voice elements of eCall already in use , Our business case showed this could save lives on UK roads, especially in rural run off collisions, and for “lost” vehicles that are not immediately found. We did however learn that there is very poor awareness of eCall not just in the public but in the 999 services and with road operators, and that the eCall data is not easily available for 999 use. We will be working with government to address this.

Next Steps

We propose a large scale live test of TeCall with real data from 999 systems and evaluation of the benefits to road operators and road users , especially for inclusion We are already discussing the use of TeCall with foreign road operators, as eCall is a global system We are exploring funds for supporting this live demonstration but need no further funds to develop TeCall TRIG funding has helped us with a depth of analysis we couldn’t have undertaken ourselves and opened doors, raising awarenessofeCall