ABU DHABI // Rescue teams in the capital have been provided with a vehicle information system that could be the difference between life and death for accident victims.
The crash recovery system (CRS) connects users to a database containing layout and technology details of almost every mass-produced vehicle there is – providing a map for emergency-service teams figuring out the safest way to rescue crash victims trapped in vehicles.
CRS gives an inventory of a vehicle’s air bags, sensors, control systems, door and seat releases, construction, electrical wiring, location of the fuel tank and batteries.
With the advancement in vehicle technology – including electrical and explosive systems such as airbags that are intended to protect the occupants during a crash – there are many more differences between vehicle models than in the past and knowledge of the specifics is vital for rescuers.
“It can help save time and ensure safety in extricating people from a vehicle, which in turn can help save lives,” said Glenn Havinoviski, a US-based transport expert who specialises on traffic and incident management.
“This will be especially important as more electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles are sold in the UAE in the future.”
Twelve officers from the Abu Dhabi Police Rescuers service were sent to the Netherlands to be trained in how best to utilise the CRS in emergency situations.
Mr Havinoviski said as the system needed to be incorporated into the responders’ rescue processes, in the training the officers were taught how to quickly access and utilise vehicles’ data to help them in their work.
Simon Labbett, regional director for the Transport Research Laboratory UAE, noted, however, that there were many challenges faced by emergency teams in crash situations.
“What happens if an explosive safety system didn’t deploy?” he said.
“Does it pose a safety risk to the rescue teams?
“The latest generation safety systems are intelligent as they sense occupants, the relative severity and direction of the impact, and their decision-making programmes decide to either deploy or not.
“But what if a system that was triggered for some reason didn’t deploy?
“What if during the rescue and cutting through the vehicle systems, residual electrical power caused a short circuit?”
Mr Labbett said fast and accurate safety system information provided by the CRS, and taking the correct preventive measures, could reduce the risk posed to the occupants and the rescuers.
rruiz@thenational.ae