San Bernardino is the first county in the program to begin replacing the first-generation analog wireless services currently used in call boxes with GSM.
The call box upgrade will improve motorist safety by providing a clearer, more reliable connection when summoning help, transportation officials explained. Each call box contains a battery-powered, solar-charged wireless phone that connects automatically with a Call Answering Center and provides operators with location information. The county's system of call boxes is operated in close coordination with both the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP), which dispatches police, fire and paramedic services.
"It is imperative for the safety of the millions of drivers who travel on the county's freeways that they have the most modern wireless communications technology available to them when using call boxes during emergency situations," said Paul Biane, president of San Bernardino Associated Governments, which serves as the SAFE authority for the county.
