eSafety
In eSafety (for electronic safety = "electronic security") is an initiative of the European Commission and interested in issues of road safety European industry. Its general aim is to increase road safety using information and communication technologies (ICT). Specifically, a contribution should be made to halving the number of road deaths in the European Union from around 50,000 in 2001 to 2010.
Security systems
The eCall automatic emergency call system occupies a special place , which in the event of a serious accident calls the nearest rescue service without human intervention and provides the exact coordinates of the accident site. The use and further development of driver assistance systems such as cruise control systems that adapt to the flow of traffic, lane keeping and lane change assistants are also planned . Systems for collision warning (with automatic activation of the brakes), for improving visibility at night and in bad weather, and for monitoring the driver's alertness and alertness also play an important role.
If these systems are independent of information that can only come from outside the vehicle, one speaks of autonomous systems. Some of them, like the electronic stability program ESP , have been on the market for a long time. The focus of research is currently on so-called cooperative systems, where vehicles communicate with other vehicles ( Car2Car Communication ) or parts of the traffic infrastructure . The aim of these systems is, for example, that a vehicle informs all other vehicles on the same route about a danger zone, or that "intelligent" traffic signs also transmit their information to a display on the dashboard. This means that you are informed even if you do not see the traffic sign.
history
The eSafety initiative was initiated by the EU Commission in 2002. The starting point was the opinion that modern information and communication technologies can make an important, novel contribution to road safety and to reducing the number of road deaths. The Commission's intention was therefore to bring together all those involved in road safety (road construction administrations, the automotive industry, emergency services, telecommunications service providers, etc.) in the eSafety Forum in order to accelerate the introduction of these modern safety systems and to support their further development through research projects. The contribution that the new systems can make is not intended to replace conventional safety measures in road traffic, but to complement and expand them.
In the Commission's view, it was necessary to take this initiative at European level because international transport ( tourism , freight transport ) requires international responses. If they are to make a difference, it must therefore be ensured that these modern road safety systems work across the European Union and, if possible, beyond.
New developments
In February 2006, eSafety became part of the Intelligent Vehicle Initiative . The aim of this overarching initiative is, among other things, to link the eSafety forum more closely with scientific issues and above all with public relations work for the new safety systems. On this basis, a group of members of the forum came together in late 2006 / early 2007 to improve communication with decision-makers, drivers and other consumers about the new security systems. This resulted in the communication platform eSafetyAware !, which has been running the ChooseESC! Campaign since May 2007. performs.
Support from the automobile clubs
The eSafety initiative is supported by a cooperation program between 16 European automobile clubs in which the German ADAC participates . At the beginning of 2007 a survey was carried out among 8,000 drivers from twelve countries in which questions were asked about the complexities of driver assistance systems - today's systems and infrastructure-supported information systems - future systems .