Calspan Tests Automated Collision Notification (ACN) System
20 May 1998
Calspan Successfully Tests Automated Collision Notification (ACN) System In Two Vehicles SimultaneouslyBUFFALO, N.Y., May 19 -- Recently, a successful full-scale test involving two vehicles, both equipped with ACN devices, was conducted at Veridian's Calspan Operations crash test facility in Buffalo, New York. In the test, one vehicle was stationary and the other traveled down the test track at 32 miles per hour. The ACN systems worked as intended and both units automatically sensed the crash and delivered messages to the 911 station within 45 seconds of the collision. Dr. Ricardo Martinez Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and representatives from Cellular One Buffalo, Datumtech Corporation, the Erie County Sheriff's Office, and the Erie County Medical Center, gathered on Friday May 8th at the Buffalo Calspan Facilities to personally witness this full-scale crash test of the ACN system. The ACN Program is a public private partnership sponsored by NHTSA, involving Calspan, Cellular One Buffalo, Datumtech, Erie County Medical Center, Erie County EMS Division, and the Erie County Sheriff Department. The purpose of the partnership is to design, develop, and field test a functional system that combines cellular communications and Global Positioning Systems with a unique crash-sensing technology developed by Calspan. The purpose of the system is not only to shorten the time it takes to notify authorities of the crash event, but to improve the quality of the response. As part of the total ACN program, 500 privately owned vehicles in Erie County, New York have had ACN systems installed by Cellular One Buffalo with another 500 to be installed in the next few months. The ACN system uses on- board sensors to identify that a crash has taken place. It then uses the Government's Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) System and conventional cellular phone system to deliver a data message directly to 911 operators. After the data message is delivered, a voice line is opened up between the dispatcher and the vehicle. The ACN data message includes a history of the crash event itself, the direction of force, and a measure of the severity of the crash. It also indicates the final resting position of the vehicle. All of this information is displayed simultaneously at the Erie County Sheriff Department's Cellular 911 Message Center and the Erie County Medical Center's Level I trauma center. It takes less than a minute after the crash for the message to arrive. Mr. Ed Starosielec, Calspan's Vice President for Transportation, commented, "The in-vehicle technology associated with providing automated mayday systems, builds upon Calspan's fifty years of leadership in transportation safety research. It is here today and can have a beneficial and direct effect on saving lives and reducing injuries from crashes. But this is only part of the equation..." Mr. Starosielec also pointed out, "In order to fully realize the potential of this system to save lives and reduce injuries, we also need to focus on upgrading the end-to-end systems including 911 capability." Calspan is managing two different partnership programs: the ACN program and the Minnesota Mayday Plus Project. "We need to ensure 911 call centers have the necessary communications infrastructure to accept and interpret data generated from the vehicle describing the crash event and to support the delivery of the right emergency response. When the equipment we are developing and testing today is in place around the country, 911 operators will be able to make quicker and more informed decisions, saving lives, saving time, and more effectively using their own resources. These kinds of systems represent a solid win for drivers, public safety agencies, and the taxpayers. " Calspan is also partner with AirIQ, a consortium of companies, dedicated to providing end-to-end solutions for managing and protecting vehicle fleets. "Through this AirIQ partnership we are moving the in-vehicle technology into fleet applications. We will continue to seek other opportunities to introduce this product into as many types and classes of vehicles as possible." Veridian provides technical solutions and systems engineering to defense, federal, commercial, and international customers in the areas of Aeronautics, Transportation, Information, Life Sciences, and Space. Veridian employs more than 2,400 scientists, engineers, computer scientists, test pilots and other professionals and operates in more than 30 locations in the U.S. and overseas. With corporate offices in Washington, DC, Veridian's annual revenue is more than $270 million. Calspan Operations is located in Buffalo, New York.