Overview
EN ISO 24978:2009 (ISO 24978:2009) defines procedures for an updateable Data Registry that supports ITS safety messages and emergency messaging over any available wireless media. Published in 2009 by ISO/TC 204 and adopted by CEN, the standard establishes a framework for the management, publication and quality of service of registry entries so that safety-related data concepts are unambiguous, interoperable and freely accessible to recipients (for example PSAPs and automated systems).
Key topics and requirements
- Data Registry management: procedures for creating, updating and distributing registry entries so data concepts remain current and traceable.
- Meta-attributes and data-concept names: requirements for descriptive metadata (meta-attributes) and standardized naming to ensure clear interpretation of each data element.
- Conformance and governance: rules for conformance, normative references and how registries relate to international and regional variants.
- Privacy and security considerations: requirements to address data protection when sharing safety and emergency information.
- Technical representations: inclusion of machine-readable specifications (e.g., ASN.1 information object and data-concept specifications are provided in annexes) and guidance for informational models and data representation.
- Operational procedures: functional operating procedures for registry use (informative annex), and guidance on international relationships to avoid conflicts and overlap.
Practical applications
EN ISO 24978:2009 is used where diverse ITS systems must exchange safety-critical data reliably and quickly:
- Emergency systems (eCall, automatic crash notification) - ensuring PSAPs receive a consistent minimum set of data and additional manufacturer-supplied data when available.
- Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) safety messaging - supporting collision avoidance, hazard alerts and real-time warnings across wireless media.
- Road authority services - publishing regional message concepts (e.g., VMS or slippery-road alerts) before formal international standardization.
- OEMs and suppliers - sharing event data recorder outputs, occupant and vehicle state information in standardized registry terms.
- System integrators and software developers - implementing application layers that map local data to registry definitions for interoperability.
Who should use this standard
- Vehicle manufacturers and tier-1 suppliers
- ITS system architects and integrators
- Emergency service providers and PSAP implementers
- Road authorities and traffic management agencies
- Standards bodies and registry operators
- Software developers implementing ASN.1 or other data encodings for ITS safety messages
Related standards
EN ISO 24978:2009 is essential for interoperable, updatable ITS safety message registries that support safer mobility through standardized, machine-readable data definitions.