Time required to notify 9-1-1 with automated collision notification systems

Alan J. Blatt, BS, MEng; Dietrich Von Kuenssberg Jehle, MD, FACEP; Anthony J. Billittier IV, MD, FACEP; David G. Wagner, MD; Jill Schleifer-Schneggenburger, BS, MEng

doi:10.5055/jem.2007.0023

Authors

Alan J. Blatt, BS, MEng
Dietrich Von Kuenssberg Jehle, MD, FACEP
Anthony J. Billittier IV, MD, FACEP
David G. Wagner, MD
Jill Schleifer-Schneggenburger, BS, MEng

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2007.0023

Keywords:

automated collision notification (ACN), global positioning system (GPS), public safety answering point (PSAP)

Abstract

Background: Automated Collision Notification (ACN) systems reduce emergency response time to a vehicular crash by immediately alerting a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) of the collision and its details.
Methods: An operational field test was performed to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of the ACN system: a total of 874 vehicles were equipped with ACN systems and, for a period of 29 months, all collisions involving these vehicles were included in a study of the automatic notification time. Fifteen collisions of ACN-equipped vehicles registered with a PSAP. Both the time for the ACN notification to be received and the time for a traditional method of notification to be received were recorded for each crash.
Results: The ACN notified a PSAP of a collision in an average time of 74.2 seconds and between 79.9 and 456.1 seconds sooner than a traditional notification method (paired mean difference 95 percent confidence interval).
Conclusion: The ACN system significantly improves emergency notification time to a motor vehicle crash.

Author Biographies

Alan J. Blatt, BS, MEng

Director, Center for Transportation Injury Research, Buffalo, New York.

Dietrich Von Kuenssberg Jehle, MD, FACEP

Associate Professor and Vice Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York.

Anthony J. Billittier IV, MD, FACEP

Commissioner of Health, County of Erie, Rath Building, Buffalo, New York.

David G. Wagner, MD

Clinical Research Assistant, Department of Emergency Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York.

Jill Schleifer-Schneggenburger, BS, MEng

Biomechanical Engineer, Center for Transportation Injury Research, Buffalo, New York.

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