A three year pan European project HeERO (Harmonized eCall European Pilot) was launched at the beginning of 2011. The aim of the project is to provide considerable improvement of traffic and public security through a telecom service named eCall. This future proof new service will enable a vehicle to generate, in case of accident, and automatic call to a local public safety access point with the support of European Commission, besides Croatia, this project has been deployed in the following eight European countries: Romania, Germany, Check Republic, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Greece and Sweden. The European Commission recommendation is to make eCall system obligatory in all new vehicles, used in the territory of EU.

The backbone of the Croatian national consortium, in charge of this pilot project consist of the National protection and rescue directorate (DUZS), Croatian Automobile Club (HAK) and  Ericsson Nikola Tesla being a partner in technology.

In compliance with the process of EU Commission financed project management, Mr. Andy Rooke, the European organization ERTICO representative and the HeERO project coordinator, yesterday visited Zagreb, and held talks with the national consortium representatives. 
The business within the Croatian national pilot project is going on as planned, the functional infrastructure that fully meets standards set by the EU has been established. So, as underlined at the meeting held in DUSZ already now, we can confirm that Croatia will be ready in 2015, when the eCall service is planned to be implemented.

As stated at the above meeting, the Croatian Automobile Club (HAK) has provided several IVU (In Vehicle Unit) equipment of various manufacturers, in order to provide the full functionality of eCall implementation, necessary for testing and verification of the service to the full extent. In cooperation with all stakeholders and members of the National Consortium, the basic standard operation procedures for emergency services actions at eCall, were defined. 

During his visit to Ericsson Nikola Tesla, the partner in technology, the HeERO project coordinator, Andy Rooke and the representatives of the national consortium visited eCall laboratory, and witnessed the live eCall demonstration.

Within the national pilot project, experts from Ericsson Nikola Tesla introduced necessary corrections in the mobile networks, thus meeting the set requirements, correspondingly. In addition, the existing system of 112, operating within the DUSZ was upgraded. Thus, the operators are provided the display and access to information related to eCall. Besides, within the national pilot  eCall project, the quality of location a vehicle position, which is a must for the proper routing (emergency services) in case of a traffic accident. On behalf HeERO project Ericsson Nikola Tesla has been in charge of coordination of activities.

By giving comment to what he saw, Andy Rooke underlined "This is my first visit to Croatian HeEro pilot project. I am very satisfied with what is done by now.  Today, I had an opportunity to see the project functioning in live. I can say that everything is in line with plan and in time, and even more important in line with instructions and standards set by the European Commission. In addition I'd like to approve, especially,  the partnership relation of all included in the project".

It is assumed that the automobile industry will launch the series implementation of SIM card and GPS module, into a vehicle information and communications system. The module for eCall (IVU unit) itself, is connected to a set of sensors in a vehicle, and in case of a traffic accident it automatically communicates information in a form of a minimum set of data (MSD) related to a vehicle participating in an accident. The set of data includes a unique vehicle number, location as estimated by GPS system, direction and type of a vehicle number of chassis, number of passengers etc. The given data are forwarded to the unique European emergency call number, 112. Upon a call receipt, an operator in a call centre 112, may set up a speech connection with passengers in a vehicle, and forward the necessary assistance, such as ambulance, fire brigade, and police.

By using mobile network, the project realization will provide safe and reliable application of eCall, with a reliable and precise locating the accident spot.

Communications Ericsson Nikola Tesla