The fourth meeting of the European eCall Implementation Platform took place on 25 February 2010 at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels chaired by Hermann Meyer CEO of ERTICO and Anu Laurell from the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Finland.

The European eCall implementation Platform was set up one year ago to give the last push to make eCall a reality in Europe. The Platform is a coordination body bringing together and supporting relevant stakeholders interested in and committed to implementing the public eCall service at European level.

The most important news concerned the mandatory implementation of eCall. As previously reported the European Commission had stressed that only “significant” progress in rolling out eCall would forestall regulatory measures. Juhani Jääskeläinen Head of Unit DG INFSO G4 – ICT for Transport explained that in the Commission’s opinion this had not been achieved. The Commission will therefore propose three regulatory initiatives:

  • A recommendation to the member states targeting Mobile Network Operators for the implementation of the eCall flag led by DG INFSO planned to be adopted by the end of 2010
  • A proposal for a regulation under the vehicle type-approval legislation for the mandatory introduction of the In-Vehicle System foreseen for the beginning of 2011 under the lead of DG ENTR
  • The upgrading of the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAPs) infrastructure will be addressed in the framework of the proposed directive on the deployment of ITS in Europe under the lead of DG MOVE. Common specifications are planned to be adopted by the Commission for the beginning of 2011

The eCall impact assessment considering the cost-benefit analysis and socio-economic costs of eCall is currently being conducted as required by the EC policy for all the legislative initiatives. It should be finalised by October 2010.

In addition the participants were updated on the status of the ITS directive and ITS Action Plan.

Regarding “Third Party Supported eCall” (TPS) it was stressed that while the EU was not against it it could not be considered an alternative solution only complementary. If for instance the TPS were not available in all member states the system should automatically switch to eCall thus providing pan-European coverage.

Emilio Davila (DG INFSO) summarised the roadmap for eCall implementation.

Other issues included reports on the progress of the different task forces a presentation by the Russian delegates regarding the state of play vis-à-vis the eCall initiative in Russia and the election of a new Vice-Chair. The one-year vice-chairmanship is always given to a Member State. Participants voted in favour of Jan Urbanek (Czech Republic) with no votes against. Acceptance is pending the approval of the Czech Ministry of Interior.

The minutes and conclusions of previous meeting are available here

Related articles:

Report on “the eCall Summit: Time for Deployment”
eCall Implementation Platform: Third meeting

This article has also been disseminated by ITS America and ITS Japan as part of the international cooperation with ERTICO

Link to original Article

http://www.ertico.com/eu-news-ecall-implementation-platform/

Original Publication Date: Mon 26 Jul 2010