Emergency Safety Solutions (ESS) has launched the H.E.L.P. Alert Network, a real-time hazard communication system. This vertically integrated, collaborative alerting and communications network delivers life-saving alerts and enhances situational awareness, overcoming the limitations of outdated hazard lights and fragmented connected vehicle technologies.

“The H.E.L.P. Alert Network represents a groundbreaking leap forward in how we protect vulnerable vehicles and individuals on the road,” said Tim VanGoethem, ESS chief product officer. “By empowering a broader community of vehicles and systems to communicate with each other in real time, we’re working with our customers and network partners to deliver critical, life-saving awareness precisely where and when it’s needed most.”

The H.E.L.P. Alert Network collects, algorithmically calculates, and distributes critical hazard data from connected vehicles, roadway work zones, fleet platforms, and emergency systems. It then delivers relevant information to navigation apps and in-vehicle displays with exceptional speed and accuracy.

An ESS statement said the system enables smarter decision-making across the entire roadway ecosystem and provides more accurate information. 

A Unified Network for Safer Roadways 

The H.E.L.P. Alert Network includes three coordinated service pillars: 

Notification Partner Network

Vehicles, devices, and platforms that detect and transmit critical hazard data, including disabled and vulnerable vehicles equipped with ESS’ globally patented H.E.L.P. Digital AlertsTM, work crew vehicles, commercial fleet vehicles, DOT and municipal infrastructure, emergency response vehicles, and wrong-way drivers. 

Protect Partner Network

The system calculates and then distributes accurate, relevant and timely location of roadway hazards to mobile and embedded navigation platforms, in-dash displays, mobile devices, and autonomous vehicle systems as real-time alerts so that approaching drivers can safely avoid them. 

Response Partner Network

The network shares incident and event information with Traffic Management Centers, 9-1-1 providers, public safety networks, and incident response platforms to facilitate faster and more informed emergency responses in situations where every second matters. 

With its patented safety technologies, ESS is expanding H.E.L.P. and actively bidding on projects with commercial fleets, department of transportation fleets, OEMs, and other entities.

H.E.L.P. Safety Innovation Features

ESS, in a press release, pointed out several ways in which the innovative features of H.E.L.P. are important, such as:

• ESS’s H.E.L.P. safety features: The safety features, according to ESS, are redefining hazard communication for the modern roadway, replacing outdated systems that fail to keep pace with today’s transportation systems. 

• H.E.L.P. lighting alerts: High-visibility flash pattern dramatically increases visibility of stationary and vulnerable vehicles – proven to induce behavior change in oncoming drivers by prompting them to slow down and move over. 

• H.E.L.P. digital alerts: Disabled and vulnerable vehicle alerts that are delivered to oncoming motorists via mobile navigation applications and in-cabin displays to warn approaching drivers of potential dangers ahead. 

ESS said these connected vehicle features work together to enhance situational awareness, reduce collisions, and increase protection for not only drivers but also passengers, pedestrians, and roadside workers alike.

Advantages for OEMs, Fleets & Others 

The H.E.L.P. Alert Network offers flexible deployment models tailored to the distinct needs of each customer segment ESS serves — commercial vehicle OEMs, commercial fleets, emergency response teams, roadway work crews, and partners in connected infrastructure and communications.

With several leading automotive OEMs, commercial fleets, and state DOT fleets already using ESS’ safety features as well as a rapidly growing roster of network partners, the company said the H.E.L.P. Alert Network is connecting people, vehicles, and infrastructure to save lives.