System to send distress calls from a car involved in an accident gets accreditation

As part of the "FAZAA” initiative developed by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), the Abu Dhabi Police (ADP) Emergency Center received international accreditation by TUV Rheinland, a leading international company in security and safety solutions.

The news came during a press conference held by the TRA at its head office in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Mohamed Jadah, Director Wireless Networks and Services, and Brigaduer-General Nasser Suleiman Nasser Al Maskari, Head of ADP Central Operations.

"FAZAA” revolves around the automated emergency call system (or ecalls), where cars are equipped with a feature to make automatic distress calls to the emergency centre in the event of an accident.

The car then automatically sends all the necessary information about the accident, such as location, vehicle type, fuel type, and number of passengers inside the vehicle.

The TRA has developed the "FAZAA” (ecall) initiative in cooperation with Emirates Authority For Standardisation & Metrology and police authorities in the UAE to activate the systems for receiving ecalls.

These systems aim to reduce the reporting time for vehicles that get into road accidents, which, in turn, contributes to lowering the number of deaths resulting from traffic accidents, as well as reducing cases of acute injury.

In his speech during the press conference, Jadah said: "The TRA is keen to support and activate all well-being and quality of life initiatives in the UAE, to be among the safest countries in the world, in line with the directives of the wise leadership and in such a way to achieve UAE Vision 2021. The importance of this new system comes from the fact that it shortens response time to accidents and provides relevant authorities with the information necessary for rescue and ambulance operations, thereby playing a central role in reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries.”

For his part, Al Maskari, Head of ADP Central Operations, said that they have made great strides in introducing modern tools and technologies to the service to support readiness and provide services to the highest international quality standards, including the ecall system to enhance response time to reports

He added that the system supports ADP efforts in the integrated response system, the first of its kind at police leaderships, which aims to increase effective empowerment and achieve record levels in this area.

He also expressed ADP’s sincere thanks and appreciation to TRA’s efforts in the ecall initiative to support the efficiency of the police institution and contribute to achieving its goals.

He pointed out that the work of command and control centers at the Operations Department in the Central Operations Sector is based on an integrated strategy that focuses on understanding variables and creating real-time solutions to enhance effective response.

He also noted that the Department, through its centres, is running an advanced database around the clock to receive all kinds of reports and address them according to the mechanisms in place, and swiftly provide services to the public.

Moreover, he affirmed ADP's concern to achieve more joint cooperation with all sectors in order to continue to excel in police and humanitarian services and promote the values of positivity and happiness among the public.

The TRA had previously conducted all the necessary tests on the operators' networks (Etisalat and du) to ensure networks were ready and able to activate and optimally operate the ecall system.

As such, the operators’ networks were internationally accredited in 2015.

The system will enable concerned entities in the UAE to access the accident scene in the shortest possible time. The project comes as an outgrowth of three years of study and research between government and private entities and vehicle agencies and manufacturers to determine specifications to be met in UAE vehicles in order to comply with this system.

This system also falls within TRA’s objectives to implement Smart Sustainable Cities Standards, support UAE Vision 2021 and to promote a safer lifestyle in society, by leveraging technology to bring happiness to all members of the UAE community.
‎