The eSafety Forum organised a high-level meeting of the European Commission, Member State representatives, public authorities, and industrial actors on 27 September 2004.
The participants expressed their support for the recommendations issued by the eSafety Forum and committed to enhancing actions at the national level to promote eSafety.
The High-level meeting focused on three eSafety Forum recommendations : In-vehicle Emergency Call (eCall), Real-Time Traffic and Travel Information (RTTI) and Human-Machine Interaction (HMI).
In-vehicle Emergency Call (eCall)
As a part of pan-European emergency services, eCall ensures the automatic placement of an emergency call through the pan-European emergency number, E-112, in case a vehicle is involved in an accident. It can provide immediate and accurate location and accident related information, therefore, its implementation may significantly reduce emergency response time and thus save lives. Although its realisation poses a number of challenges - including the integration of local emergency services - a Memorandum of Understanding has been issued, and a number of the Member States have committed to its signature.
Real-Time Traffic and Travel Information (RTTI)
The participants of the high-level meeting supported the expansion of real-time traffic and travel information to cover more Member States and include urban areas. The meeting addressed the issues of data availability, the introduction of more advanced services and the involvement of commercial interest.
Human-Machine Interaction (HMI)
In the context of the increasing number and complexity of in-vehicle systems, participants expressed the need to disseminate a new European Statement of Principles (ESoP) for safe and efficient information and communication systems and nomadic devices. Simultaneously, the need for the measurement of their impact, as well as the importance of guidance and legislation concerning their manufacturing and use, was emphasized.
The European Commission intends to publish a second Communication on eSafety in 2004 to summarize the achievements to date and outline the actions ahead.
The eSafety Forum was established by the European Commission in 2003 as a public-private initiative that involves all road safety stakeholders, including European associations, Member State representatives, public authorities, as well as industrial actors, such as insurance companies, road operators, automotive manufacturers, equipment suppliers, telecommunications operators, and service providers. Based on the input of its working groups, the eSafety Forum makes recommendations concerning Intelligent Integrated Safety Systems and promotes their implementation.
Further information
- European Commission - Information Society DG - eSafety
- IST Programme - eSafety
- eSafety Forum
- eSafety High-level Meeting: Conclusions - 27 September 2004
- Consultation Report on eSafety: Co-operative Systems for Road Transport in Preparation for the IST Work Programme 2005-2006 - 6 June 2004
- Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Information and Communication Technologies for Safe and Intelligent Vehicles COM(2003) 542 final - 15 September 2003
Sources
European Commission:
- European Commission (EC). 27 September 2004. "The eSafety High-Level Meeting with Public Authorities". Retrieved from EC, Information Society, eSafety site.
- European Commission (EC). Retrieved on 30 September 2004. "eSafety Forum". Retrieved from EC, Information Society, eSafety site.