eSafety

In eSafety ( for electronic safety = " electronic security " ) is one of the European Commission and interested in issues of road safety European industry initiative. Their general aim is to increase the road safety using information and communication technologies (ICT). Specifically, a contribution to be made, the number of road deaths halved in the European Union of about 50,000 in 2001 to 2010.

Security systems

A special place is occupied by the automatic emergency call system eCall, which without human intervention calls the nearest emergency services in the event of a major accident and thereby notifies the exact coordinates of the accident site. It is furthermore provided the use and further development of driver assistance systems such as speed control systems, which adapt to the traffic flow, lane keeping and lane change assistant. Systems also play an important role for collision warning ( with automatic activation of the brakes ), to improve visibility at night and in bad weather as well as the observation of alertness and attentiveness of the driver.

If these systems are independent of information that can come only from outside the vehicle, it is called autonomous systems. Some of these are like the Electronic Stability Program ESP, already on the market longer. The focus of research is currently focused on the so-called cooperative systems, where vehicles with other vehicles ( Car2Car Communication ) or parts of the transport infrastructure to communicate. The aim of these systems is, for example, that a vehicle informs all other exits on the same track vehicles on a point of danger or that "smart" traffic signs transfer their information on a display in the dashboard. This one is also informed when you can not see the traffic sign.

History

The eSafety initiative was launched by the EU Commission in 2002. The starting point was the view that the modern information and communication technologies can make an important and novel contribution to road safety and to reduce the number of road deaths. The Commission's intention was therefore to bring together the eSafety Forum all at the road safety stakeholders ( road authorities, automotive industry, emergency services, telecom service providers, etc.) to accelerate the introduction of these advanced safety systems and to support their development through research projects. The contribution of the new systems can provide, should not replace the traditional security measures in road transport, but to complement and expand.

In the Commission's view, it was necessary to take this initiative at European level, because of the international traffic (tourism, freight) requires international responses. If they are to make a difference, so it must be ensured that these modern safety systems throughout the European Union and if possible work beyond.

New Developments

In February 2006 eSafety part of the Intelligent Car Initiative was. The aim of this cross- initiative is to link inter alia, the eSafety Forum more closely with the scientific issues and especially with the publicity for the new security systems. On this basis, a group of members of the Forum teamed up in late 2006/early 2007, to improve the communication about the new security systems with decision-makers, motorists and other consumers. Hence the communication platform eSafetyAware! That since May 2007, it has developed ChooseESC! performs.

Support by the Automobile Club

The eSafety initiative is supported by a program of cooperation of 16 European automobile clubs in which cooperates the German ADAC. In early 2007 a ​​survey of 8,000 drivers was conducted from twelve countries in which the complexes driver assistance systems - today's systems and infrastructure -based information systems - future systems was interviewed.