Vulnerable road users (VRUs) make up an increasing proportion of killed and severely injured in road traffic accidents. A way of reducing the consequences of road traffic accidents is to make efforts to reduce the time to find the crash site and perform appropriate rescue actions. Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) systems have been developed during the last two decades and are now featured in many modern cars. The European eCall initiative makes an automatic emergency call–function mandatory in all new cars introduced to the European market from 2017.

The aim of this pre-study was to investigate the possibilities and the potential value of implementing an eCall functionality for VRUs with special focus on two-wheelers and bicyclists.

This pre-study found a few existing products and services related to the ACN/eCall concept aimed at VRUs, but that there is still a vast potential for further initiatives and development. A pilot study performed as part of this pre-study demonstrated that smartphone technology can be used to detect an accident/fall and in addition also may provide information on the impact experienced by the VRU. Further, that this information can contribute significantly to the postcrash rescue activities and this way reduce the accident-related consequences to the individual.