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Cover of eCall: Possible Approaches for Australia and New Zealand
eCall: Possible Approaches for Australia and New Zealand
  • Publication no: AP-R737-25
  • ISBN: 978-1-922994-90-5
  • Published: 8 August 2025
  • Edition: 1.1

Note: This report was originally published by Austroads in June 2025. Following stakeholder feedback indicating that certain aspects of the research were outdated, a review was undertaken. As a result, an updated version of the report was released in August 2025.

This research report provides guidance to road agencies on potential approaches to implementing Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) systems, such as eCall, in Australia and New Zealand. It outlines factors affecting large-scale deployment, including the roles of key stakeholders, technological considerations, and implementation pathways. The report presents findings from a literature review, stakeholder engagement, a high-level analysis of implementation options, and provides recommendations for future action.

Several decisions will influence the scale and effectiveness of ACN deployment in Australia and New Zealand, with each pathway differing in government involvement, costs, and impacts on ACN uptake.

The report recommends that governments undertake further stakeholder consultation, clearly define stakeholder roles and responsibilities, and complete a detailed cost-benefit analysis to determine the most appropriate implementation approach.

Watch a recording of the webinar below.

As part of the August 2025 review, the following sections/elements were updated:

  • Section 2.2.3
  • Section 4.1
  • Section 4.1.6
  • Table 4.1
  • Figure 4.1
  • Section 5.1.1
  • Table 5.3
  • Glossary
  • Summary
  • 1. Introduction
    • 1.1 Purpose
    • 1.2 Scope
      • 1.2.1 Report structure
      • 1.2.2 Limitations
    • 1.3 Methodology
  • 2. ACN Systems Overview
    • 2.1 Types of ACN
      • 2.1.1 In-vehicle ACN in the European Union: eCall
      • 2.1.2 Personal device triggering ACN
    • 2.2 ACN roles and responsibilities
      • 2.2.1 Device Original Equipment Manufacturers
      • 2.2.2 Telecommunications providers
      • 2.2.3 Third-Party Service Providers
      • 2.2.4 Public Safety Answering Points
      • 2.2.5 Emergency Response Centres
    • 2.3 Other initiatives aligned with ACN
    • 2.4 Benefits of ACN
      • 2.4.1 Potential immediate benefits
      • 2.4.2 Long-term benefits
  • 3. International ACN Implementations
    • 3.1 Overview
    • 3.2 Japan
      • 3.2.1 Overview
      • 3.2.2 Policy and regulation
      • 3.2.3 Supporting infrastructure and technology
      • 3.2.4 Lessons for the Australia and New Zealand context
    • 3.3 EU
      • 3.3.1 Overview
      • 3.3.2 Policy and regulation
      • 3.3.3 Supporting infrastructure and technology
      • 3.3.4 Next generation eCall
      • 3.3.5 Lessons for the Australia and New Zealand context
    • 3.4 United States of America
      • 3.4.1 Overview
      • 3.4.2 Policy and regulation
      • 3.4.3 Supporting infrastructure and technology
      • 3.4.4 Lessons for the Australia and New Zealand context
    • 3.5 Russian Federation
      • 3.5.1 Overview
      • 3.5.2 Policy and regulation
      • 3.5.3 Supporting infrastructure and technology
      • 3.5.4 Lessons for the Australia and New Zealand context
    • 3.6 United Arab Emirates
      • 3.6.1 Overview
      • 3.6.2 Policy and Regulation
      • 3.6.3 Lessons for the Australia and New Zealand context
  • 4. Current State of ACN in Australia and New Zealand
    • 4.1 ACN functions and services in Australia and New Zealand
      • 4.1.1 In-vehicle ACN
      • 4.1.2 ACN via features included in smartphones and watches
      • 4.1.3 Third-Party Service Providers
      • 4.1.4 ECS
      • 4.1.5 Emergency response centres
      • 4.1.6 Telecommunications networks
    • 4.2 ACN false alarms
      • 4.2.1 European experience
      • 4.2.2 False alarms in Australia and New Zealand
    • 4.3 ACN system readiness
      • 4.3.1 Scoring approach
      • 4.3.2 Readiness summary
  • 5. Options and Potential Benefits for Australia and New Zealand
    • 5.1 In-vehicle ACN uptake and penetration scenarios
      • 5.1.1 Discussion on ACN uptake and penetration rates in New Zealand
    • 5.2 Possible approaches
      • 5.2.1 Option 1 – Mandate ACN with full funding
      • 5.2.2 Option 2 – Mandate ACN with ECS and ERC funding only
      • 5.2.3 Option 3 – Mandate ACN with ERC funding and network access only
      • 5.2.4 Option 4 – Mandate ACN with ERC funding only
      • 5.2.5 Option 5 – Include in ANCAP Safety Ratings with full funding/cost allowance
      • 5.2.6 Option 6 – Include in ANCAP Safety Ratings with ECS and ERC funding only
      • 5.2.7 Option 7 – Include in ANCAP Safety Ratings with ERC funding and network access only
      • 5.2.8 Option 8 – Do minimum
      • 5.2.9 Option 9 – Do nothing
    • 5.3 Impact analysis
      • 5.3.1 Approach and methodology
      • 5.3.2 Limitations and exclusions
    • 5.4 Cost of implementation and operation
      • 5.4.1 In-vehicle system cost
      • 5.4.2 Vehicle connectivity cost
      • 5.4.3 Third-party subscription cost
      • 5.4.4 ECS system upgrade costs
      • 5.4.5 ERC system upgrade costs
      • 5.4.6 ECS system upgrade and TPSP cost comparison
      • 5.4.7 Driver education cost
      • 5.4.8 Non-quantified costs
    • 5.5 Key considerations and challenges
      • 5.5.1 Minimise the impact of non-emergency calls to PSAPs and ECS
      • 5.5.2 Capture and leverage valuable data
      • 5.5.3 Future proofing through IP-based communications
      • 5.5.4 Communicate benefits
      • 5.5.5 Maximise benefits through a harmonised approach
      • 5.5.6 Define roles and responsibilities
      • 5.5.7 Inclusion of eCall in ANCAP Protocols
      • 5.5.8 ACN mandate versus inclusion in ANCAP safety ratings
      • 5.5.9 Funding ECS to handle ACN calls and data versus relying on TPSPs
      • 5.5.10 Privacy
      • 5.5.11 Equity
  • 6. Findings and Next Steps
    • 6.1 Findings
      • 6.1.1 Current state of ACN in Australia and New Zealand
      • 6.1.2 Benefits, costs and possible approaches for ACN implementation
      • 6.1.3 Lessons from international implementations
    • 6.2 Next steps
  • References
  • Appendix A Minimum Set of Data
  • Appendix B Coverage Maps
    • B.1 Coverage maps of each service provider for each Australian state and territory
    • B.2 4G coverage maps of each service provider for the North and South Island in New Zealand
  • Appendix C Satellite Communications
  • Appendix D ACN Stakeholders
    • D.1 Austroads representatives
    • D.2 Emergency services
    • D.3 Safety services
    • D.4 Industry engagement and interviews
  • Appendix E National Audit of Mobile Coverage
  • Appendix F Next Generation eCall Standards
  • Appendix G eCall Implementations in EU Member States
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