New Device Calls 911 in an Auto Crash

Federal safety officials said Monday that they are testing an electronic “black box” that would automatically call 911 for help after a car crash.

The system, which could be available nationwide in about five years, is being tested in 500 vehicles in Erie County, N.Y.

“With this technology, we can automatically extend America’s safety net to those who need help,” said Ricardo Martinez, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

When a vehicle crashes, an electronic box about 6 inches square and an inch deep under the back seat transmits the exact location to a government satellite through the car’s cellular phone.

The satellite then beams the information to a computer at the 911 center for the county sheriff’s department; the computer displays the crash location on a map.

The box also transmits information on the severity of the crash and whether the auto was hit in the front, rear or side or rolled over. Once the 911 center receives the crash information, the car’s cellular phone automatically establishes a channel with the sheriff’s department so a dispatcher can talk with occupants.

“The chain of survival starts with discovery of a crash, followed by access to a phone and then notification of the correct emergency services,” Martinez said. “By building this technology, we can eliminate . . . deadly delays.”

The agency is developing the technology with Caltrans, a Virginia-based private company.

One obstacle to getting the system into widespread use is establishing a national network at local emergency centers able to receive the phone calls, Martinez said.

The per-vehicle cost of the system is estimated at between $200 and $300.

More costly commercial systems are available for some autos that can pinpoint a crash location if the air bag deploys. The system then sends that location information via satellite to a private monitoring service.

For instance, many General Motors models offer, for about $1,300, the Onstar system, which signals Onstar personnel in a crash. Onstar then determines whether to call emergency services.