Radius Mapping users get supplemental emergency data direct from OnStar Crash Incidents

What is OnStar?

Launched in 1996, OnStar is a wholly owned subsidiary of GM Holdings LLC ("GM") and offers emergency, security and navigation services in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models. At the heart of the OnStar[1] brand are OnStar Advisors—real people committed to helping drivers stay safe on the road through Automatic Crash Response[2], emergency services, roadside assistance[3], crisis assist, Stolen Vehicle Assistance[4] and Turn-by-Turn navigation[5]. In 2020, OnStar introduced the OnStar Guardian mobile app, extending its safety services outside the confines of GM vehicles.

How it Works

OnStar-equipped vehicles with Automatic Crash Response (ACR) have built-in sensors to automatically alert an OnStar Advisor of a crash. Now, the incident location and related crash details can be provided electronically to the appropriate 911 Emergency Communications Center (ECC), including:

• Location, with latitude and longitude
• OnStar incident number, received and sent time
• Vehicle type — including year, make, model, color, and propulsion type (such as an electric vehicle)
• High probability of severe injury indicator – Taking into account vehicle crash data and available seat sensing technology, Injury Severity Prediction (ISP) is an algorithm that uses telemetry from the vehicle (Delta-V, direction of force, safety belt usage, multiple impacts) and age/gender (via voice contact) to determine if the risk of severe injury is “HIGH.”
• Crash data, such as airbag deployment, multiple impacts, principal direction of force, and autonomous vehicle indicator, if applicable.

All of this data can help guide decisions on dispatch priority, patient care and transport of the patient, including where to transport and by what means — ground or air.

Once an Automatic Crash Incident occurs, the OnStar data feed is routed by RapidDeploy to the Radius Mapping ECC customer with jurisdiction and an OnStar Advisor will initiate voice contact with the ECC.

OnStar Data Displayed in Radius Mapping

OnStar Automatic Crash Incidents are displayed in Radius Mapping initially in the Signals queue, which is visible to both Primary and Secondary ECCs.  9-1-1 ECCs can interact with the OnStar incident to see the direct supplemental vehicle telematics data by selecting the Signal and then clicking on the emergency location.

When an ECC Telecommunicator answers a call from an OnStar Advisor, the voice call in Radius Mapping is automatically indexed to the emergency location and the Additional Data tab will display the vehicle telematics data.  Telecommunicators can copy and paste precise vehicle telematics data with a single click, into the call-taking forms to provide responders with critical crash data and vehicle information.  

Telecommunicators can utilize map data such as available CCTV feeds, traffic and Waze alerts near the incident for better situational awareness.

Changing Outcomes with Data

APCO and NENA VEDS 2.0 (Vehicle Emergency Data Set) Standards outline the data used to calculate a Severe Injury Indicator. The value ‘true’ indicates a greater than 20% probability of an Injury Severity Score ISS15 as predicted by an injury severity algorithm per the recommendations from the 2008 CDC AACN Expert Panel.

Agencies receiving VEDS data can more effectively enable the allocation of resources based on actionable data such as the number of vehicle occupants and the likely severity of their injuries.  This can lead to earlier arrival of field responders and better patient outcomes.

How do I enable OnStar in Radius Mapping?

OnStar Automatic Crash Incidents are automatically enabled in every RapidDeploy Radius Mapping ECC so no action is required.

Training Information and Resources

Rapid Academy Learning Management System (LMS) has course content that outlines the workflow for OnStar AACN VED.

The OnStar Public Safety Outreach Team offers complimentary educational materials to assist agencies in understanding the vital crash data available and how it can positively impact dispatch decisions and patient care.  Visit https://www.public-safety.onstar.com/ to learn more and access training materials.

[1] OnStar plan, working electrical system, cell reception and GPS signal required. OnStar links to emergency services. See onstar.com for details and limitations.

[2] Not all vehicles may transmit all crash data.

[3] Roadside services provided by Allstate Roadside Service for vehicles only. Limitations and restrictions apply.

[4] Stolen Vehicle Assistance requires armed GM factory-installed theft-deterrent system, contact method on file and enrollment to receive alerts. Additional messaging and data rates may apply. Services are intended to assist with vehicle recovery and do not prevent theft or protect against damage or loss.

[5] Advisor-based Turn-by-Turn Navigation is subject to Terms and limitations and varies by vehicle model. Map coverage available in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada.

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