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eCall system benefits confirmed

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jan 16, 2007

Research report verifies the socioeconomic profitability of the eCall system, proposed by the European Commission.

A new research report from analyst firm Berg Insight has independently verified the socioeconomic profitability of the eCall system, proposed by the European Commission.

The eCall system is intended to automatically initiate an emergency call to 112 from the vehicle and transmit satellite positioning data to the operator in case of a road accident.

By reducing the reaction time for the emergency services, the system is expected to save thousands of lives annually when fully implemented.

Exactly how many lives that would actually be saved is however the subject of a debate between the proponents and sceptics who believe the cost exceeds the benefits.

According to the findings of the independent study by Berg Insight, there will be a net socioeconomic benefit for the EU if road fatalities and severe injuries are reduced by 3% or more.

"The eCall project is based on the well known Golden Hour Principle of accident medicine, saying that the chance of surviving a severe injury decreases from 26% to 5% in the first hour", explained Tobias Ryberg, Senior Analyst, Berg Insight.

"Literally, every minute counts when it comes to saving lives, not to mention preventing severe injuries which are a heavy burden on public finances".

Berg Insight estimates eCall could save 1400-2800 lives and prevent 8600-17,100 severe injuries annually in the EU when fully implemented.

Long term savings would be in the range of Eur 5-10 billion, whereas the long term cost is projected as Eur 4 billion.

Ryberg believes that segments of the automotive industry exaggerate the cost of integrating an eCall device in every new vehicle as would be required for the system to work.

"Worldwide production of mobile phones now exceeds 1 billion units and in five years a majority of those will have integrated GPS", he said.

"I am convinced that the cost for producing another 15 million units without even displays, digital cameras and music playback capabilities will be marginal once the automotive purchasing departments have done their job".