Recently, we published a whitepaper that deep dives into how Advanced Automatic Collision Notifications (AACN) can save over 2000 lives a year in the US. AACN, and its predecessor ACN (Automatic Crash Notifications), describe technologies for getting collision data from cars to people who can help. But let’s talk a bit more about that data: what is it, where does it come from, and how can we make it better?
Modern vehicles are packed with sophisticated sensors that provide a real-time overview of how a car is performing, help it perform efficiently, and even prevent accidents. When accidents do occur, they are detected instantly, and sensors can relay a wealth of data like the GPS location of the vehicle, how hard it was hit, whether airbags were deployed, and how many people are likely inside. This data, available via the vehicle’s telematics system, can be a powerful tool to help emergency responders save lives — but only if it’s accessible and easily understood.
The Problem: Great Technology, No Common Language
While sensors can capture a variety of crash-related data, each manufacturer might refer to individual pieces of data differently, using different formats, terminology, and delivery methods. For 9-1-1 professionals who need to process information in seconds and dispatch help quickly, this inconsistency creates serious problems.
That's why public safety professionals, in collaboration with automotive OEMs and telematics service providers (TSPs), developed VEDS, and it's critical to the future of automotive safety.
What is VEDS?
The Vehicle Emergency Data Set (VEDS) is a standardized format that defines what crash information should be transmitted from any vehicle to emergency services, and how that information should be structured. Think of it as the universal language for vehicle emergencies.
The original work dates back a couple of decades, with the most recent version 3.1 of the VEDS schema published in 2022. VEDS defines up to 80 specific data elements that vehicles can transmit during a crash.
What is VEDS?
The Vehicle Emergency Data Set (VEDS) is a standardized format that defines what crash information should be transmitted from any vehicle to emergency services, and how that information should be structured. Think of it as the universal language for vehicle emergencies.
The original work dates back a couple of decades, with the most recent version 3.1 of the VEDS schema published in 2022. VEDS defines up to 80 specific data elements that vehicles can transmit during a crash.
Information of a critical nature includes:
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Precise GPS location
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Crash severity based on impact force
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Vehicle make, model, and year
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Number of people likely in the vehicle
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Whether airbags deployed
While additional context can be gleaned from data such as:
With input from 911 professionals, each data element is prioritized in a high/medium/low ranking system by how valuable it is to the emergency responders responsible for making split-second decisions. And VEDS utilizes XML and NIEM open standards so that OEMs and TSPs can easily adopt it.
Who Created VEDS and Why It Matters
VEDS wasn't created in isolation. It was spearheaded by NENA (National Emergency Number Association) and APCO International, the leading organizations representing 9-1-1 professionals and emergency communications systems across North America.
Through collaboration between the people who generate the data (OEMs and TSPs) and the public safety professionals who need to use the data, APCO and NENA have ensured that VEDS addresses real operational needs within public safety.
Why Standardization Matters for Emergency Response
When crash data arrives at an Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in a standardized VEDS format, everything just works better:
1. Faster Integration
ECCs can invest once in technology that reads VEDS data, rather than building custom integrations for every vehicle manufacturer, which just isn’t feasible.
2. Simpler Training
9-1-1 professionals learn one format. No matter what type of vehicle, the data looks the same and uses the same terms.
3. Quicker Decisions
With consistent, reliable data, telecommunicators can use crash severity, exact location, and potential hazards indicators to dispatch the best resources in seconds instead of minutes, without trying to decipher unfamiliar formats or verbally asking several questions to gather the data.
4. Better Resource Matching
Standardized severity indicators help ensure the right resources are sent. A minor fender-bender doesn't need a fire truck or helicopter. A severe rollover with fire detection gets the full response instantly.
VEDS is more than a technical standard. It's the key that unlocks the life-saving potential of automatic and advanced automatic crash notifications. While automakers focus heavily on crash prevention and protection during a crash (rightly so), implementing VEDS improves crash response technology for a more complete and stronger brand safety promise to customers, demonstrating that a commitment to safety doesn’t end once the crash has occurred.
Learn More:
Download our research whitepaper "Making Seconds Count With Advanced Automatic Collision Notification" for deeper insights into AACN implementation, business case, and regulatory landscape.
