Technology Alternatives for an Automated Collision Notification System: Final Report

1994PDFTech ReportDOT HS 808 288CollisionsAutomatic crash notificationIntelligent transportation systemsAutomatic incident detectionAutomatic trackingAutomatic vehicle locationEmergency medical servicesDispatchersAutomated collision notification (ACN)Intelligent vehicle highway system (IVHS)Planning and forecastingAccident preventionUnited StatesUnited States. Joint Program Office for Intelligent Transportation SystemsYuan, R. L.Newman, R. W.Young, S. E.Helm, E. D.Lin, J. E.Johns Hopkins University. Applied Physics LaboratoryUnited States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Office of Crash Avoidance ResearchUS Transportation CollectionIn automobile crashes involving life threatening injuries, time is the most critical factor in saving lives;therefore, rapid response by Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel is a necessity. Unfortunately, evidence suggests that many crash victim?s medical requirements are not being met due to delays in both crash notification and response. In recognition of this problem, an automated collision notification (ACN) capability has been identified as a critical component of the Emergency Notification and Personal Security user service defined in the National Program Plan for the Intelligent Vehicle Highway System (IVHS). This capability would automatically sense a crash and immediately notify a local EMS dispatcher of its occurrence. The ACN system can be divided into two segments: the EMS dispatching infrastructure and the in-vehicle equipment. The EMS infrastructure consists of communications and computer processing equipment that is used to receive requests for assistance, deploy units in response to requests, and monitor units' progress. Compatibility of communications equipment between infrastructure and the vehicle is critical issue. The in-vehicle equipment must perform four functions. First, changes in the vehicle?s static or dynamic conditions that could have resulted from a crash must be detected. This may require a suite of sensors that is able to measure a variety of parameters including deceleration or damage to the chassis. Second, all the sensor inputs must be constantly monitored to determine whether or not the vehicle has been involved in a crash. Because it is highly undesirable to generate a false alarm, it is necessary to consider as many inputs as possible before issuing a crash notification message. Third, if a serious crash has occurred, vehicle location must be determined. Fourth, crash location data must be transmitted to the local EMS facility.74