Initiative details
A critical yet often neglected challenge in road safety is the time lag and communication gap between an accident and the activation of road cleaning services. Post-accident residues such as oil, fuel, and vehicle debris present immediate and serious risks to other road users. These hazards are responsible for a significant number of secondary accidents, especially in urban areas with high traffic volumes or poor weather conditions.
Traditionally, the activation of road cleaning services depends on manual reports, delayed communication, or unstructured channels, which often results in slow response times and inconsistent data. Moreover, in many municipalities, tow truck drivers—often the first on site—are not integrated into the communication chain, representing a missed opportunity for early detection.
To address this, Eurosistra Portugal, in partnership with MK Group, developed a real-time digital activation system, embedded within the platform GESTOW (tow operator platform). This solution allows tow truck drivers to report the need for cleaning, send photos, and geolocate incidents instantly. The system automates service activation, improves response times, and ensures structured, auditable records.
By closing this communication gap, the project helps prevent further accidents, improves operational coordination, and reinforces a proactive approach to post-accident road safety.
Traditionally, the activation of road cleaning services depends on manual reports, delayed communication, or unstructured channels, which often results in slow response times and inconsistent data. Moreover, in many municipalities, tow truck drivers—often the first on site—are not integrated into the communication chain, representing a missed opportunity for early detection.
To address this, Eurosistra Portugal, in partnership with MK Group, developed a real-time digital activation system, embedded within the platform GESTOW (tow operator platform). This solution allows tow truck drivers to report the need for cleaning, send photos, and geolocate incidents instantly. The system automates service activation, improves response times, and ensures structured, auditable records.
By closing this communication gap, the project helps prevent further accidents, improves operational coordination, and reinforces a proactive approach to post-accident road safety.
Initiative date
Who was/is your target audience?
Emergency services
Lorry/truck drivers
Others
Topic
Create awareness
Improve vehicles and infrastructure
Organisation details
Eurosistra Portugal, Lda
Enterprise
Portugal
Portugal
Contact name
Fernando Martins
Telephone number
+351926586411
fernando.montenegro@segurancaeambiente.pt
Website link
Project activities
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
The Call for Action project is a collaborative initiative developed by Eurosistra Portugal in partnership with MK Group, combining expertise in road safety operations and digital platform development.
MK Group: Lead technology partner responsible for designing and developing the software architecture, API integrations, and user interface within the GESTOW platform. MK Group ensured seamless functionality for real-time data capture, incident reporting, and automated service dispatch.
GESTOW Platform: Acts as the primary interface for tow truck operators. Through GESTOW, drivers report incidents, upload photographic evidence, and share GPS data. The platform was adapted to integrate the Call for Action workflow without disrupting existing towing operations.
Municipalities partnered with Eurosistra: These local authorities are beneficiaries of the system, receiving faster and more structured cleaning interventions on their road networks. Their involvement supports pilot implementation, data sharing, and feedback for continuous improvement.
Cleaning Service Providers: Operate under Eurosistra's coordination to receive and execute digital service orders. Their participation is critical in closing the response loop efficiently.
Together, these partners create a technological and operational ecosystem that enables smarter, faster, and safer road safety interventions after traffic accidents.
MK Group: Lead technology partner responsible for designing and developing the software architecture, API integrations, and user interface within the GESTOW platform. MK Group ensured seamless functionality for real-time data capture, incident reporting, and automated service dispatch.
GESTOW Platform: Acts as the primary interface for tow truck operators. Through GESTOW, drivers report incidents, upload photographic evidence, and share GPS data. The platform was adapted to integrate the Call for Action workflow without disrupting existing towing operations.
Municipalities partnered with Eurosistra: These local authorities are beneficiaries of the system, receiving faster and more structured cleaning interventions on their road networks. Their involvement supports pilot implementation, data sharing, and feedback for continuous improvement.
Cleaning Service Providers: Operate under Eurosistra's coordination to receive and execute digital service orders. Their participation is critical in closing the response loop efficiently.
Together, these partners create a technological and operational ecosystem that enables smarter, faster, and safer road safety interventions after traffic accidents.
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
In 2024, Eurosistra Portugal and MK Group began the joint development of “Call for Action”, a technological solution aimed at automating the identification and activation of road cleaning services following traffic accidents.
The project integrates with GESTOW, a digital platform used by tow truck operators. When a driver arrives at an accident scene and identifies hazardous conditions (e.g., fuel spill, debris), they can instantly:
Flag the need for cleaning;
Upload real-time photos;
Share GPS coordinates;
Suggest a priority level.
This data is sent in real time via RESTful APIs to Eurosistra’s central system, where an automated algorithm:
Evaluates location, service availability, and SLA conditions;
Selects the most suitable cleaning provider;
Issues a digital service order (OS) with all incident details.
The cleaning provider receives the OS via platform integration or SMS and can:
Accept and confirm the task;
Enter estimated arrival and completion time;
Upload photos and notes upon completion.
The project entered pilot testing in late 2024, with full rollout expected in Q3 2025, across municipalities partnered with Eurosistra.
This system reduces response times, ensures data accuracy, and provides a scalable framework for smart, post-accident road safety interventions.
The project integrates with GESTOW, a digital platform used by tow truck operators. When a driver arrives at an accident scene and identifies hazardous conditions (e.g., fuel spill, debris), they can instantly:
Flag the need for cleaning;
Upload real-time photos;
Share GPS coordinates;
Suggest a priority level.
This data is sent in real time via RESTful APIs to Eurosistra’s central system, where an automated algorithm:
Evaluates location, service availability, and SLA conditions;
Selects the most suitable cleaning provider;
Issues a digital service order (OS) with all incident details.
The cleaning provider receives the OS via platform integration or SMS and can:
Accept and confirm the task;
Enter estimated arrival and completion time;
Upload photos and notes upon completion.
The project entered pilot testing in late 2024, with full rollout expected in Q3 2025, across municipalities partnered with Eurosistra.
This system reduces response times, ensures data accuracy, and provides a scalable framework for smart, post-accident road safety interventions.
In terms of implementation, what worked well and what challenges did you need to overcome?
The implementation of the Call for Action system brought together technical innovation and field-level practicality. One of the most successful elements was the integration with GESTOW, a platform already in use by tow operators, which allowed for minimal disruption and high user adoption. Drivers quickly adapted to the new interface, appreciating the intuitive workflow that enabled real-time reporting with photos and GPS data.
Another key success was the automation of service dispatch. The backend logic, which selects the appropriate cleaning provider based on availability, location, and response capacity, has significantly reduced activation time and improved coordination across the Eurosistra network.
However, challenges emerged in ensuring data quality and consistency, particularly during early pilot phases. Some operators required training to standardise how and when to submit incident data. Connectivity issues in remote areas also required the system to incorporate offline data caching.
Ensuring system interoperability with various cleaning providers—some integrated digitally, others reliant on SMS—was another hurdle. Flexible delivery methods were developed to accommodate both.
Despite these challenges, the solution has proven highly scalable and effective, laying the foundation for a nationwide smart-response ecosystem in post-accident road safety.
Another key success was the automation of service dispatch. The backend logic, which selects the appropriate cleaning provider based on availability, location, and response capacity, has significantly reduced activation time and improved coordination across the Eurosistra network.
However, challenges emerged in ensuring data quality and consistency, particularly during early pilot phases. Some operators required training to standardise how and when to submit incident data. Connectivity issues in remote areas also required the system to incorporate offline data caching.
Ensuring system interoperability with various cleaning providers—some integrated digitally, others reliant on SMS—was another hurdle. Flexible delivery methods were developed to accommodate both.
Despite these challenges, the solution has proven highly scalable and effective, laying the foundation for a nationwide smart-response ecosystem in post-accident road safety.
Evaluation
Please summarise how you have evaluated the initiative’s impact (e.g. social media reach, survey, feedback forms, statistics).
The Call for Action initiative is being continuously evaluated using a combination of quantitative performance indicators and qualitative feedback from field operators, cleaning providers, and municipal partners.
During the pilot phase, the system was deployed in selected municipalities. Key metrics monitored included:
Response time reduction between accident occurrence and cleaning team dispatch;
Accuracy of incident data, including GPS coordinates and photographic documentation;
Completion rate of service orders within predefined SLAs;
User engagement metrics from the GESTOW platform (e.g., number of incident reports submitted by drivers).
Additionally, feedback sessions were held with tow truck operators and cleaning providers to evaluate usability, effectiveness of communication, and real-world functionality. Technical audits ensured data was correctly transmitted, stored, and accessible for reporting and future analysis.
Reports were also shared with municipalities to assess whether incident detection and response improved under the new system. Early results show a significant improvement in response efficiency, a reduction in manual communication errors, and greater transparency throughout the process.
The structured data generated by the system enables deeper analysis and is being used to inform future expansion, improvements in coordination, and the development of predictive response models for road safety interventions.
During the pilot phase, the system was deployed in selected municipalities. Key metrics monitored included:
Response time reduction between accident occurrence and cleaning team dispatch;
Accuracy of incident data, including GPS coordinates and photographic documentation;
Completion rate of service orders within predefined SLAs;
User engagement metrics from the GESTOW platform (e.g., number of incident reports submitted by drivers).
Additionally, feedback sessions were held with tow truck operators and cleaning providers to evaluate usability, effectiveness of communication, and real-world functionality. Technical audits ensured data was correctly transmitted, stored, and accessible for reporting and future analysis.
Reports were also shared with municipalities to assess whether incident detection and response improved under the new system. Early results show a significant improvement in response efficiency, a reduction in manual communication errors, and greater transparency throughout the process.
The structured data generated by the system enables deeper analysis and is being used to inform future expansion, improvements in coordination, and the development of predictive response models for road safety interventions.
What has been the effect of the activities?
Although the Call for Action system is currently in the pilot phase, early tests have already demonstrated clear operational benefits and significant potential for nationwide implementation.
Initial results from the municipalities involved in the pilot indicate a marked improvement in response coordination. By enabling tow truck drivers to report the need for road cleaning directly via the GESTOW platform—with GPS location, photographic evidence, and incident details—the process of activating cleaning services became more immediate and structured.
Even with a limited sample, the data shows a reduction in response time and fewer communication errors, thanks to the automation of dispatch and the removal of manual reporting steps. Cleaning service providers also reported greater preparedness due to the richness of the digital service orders received.
Municipal stakeholders highlighted the added value of structured data, enabling better monitoring of incidents and stronger alignment with environmental and safety standards.
While the pilot is still ongoing, the preliminary effects are promising. The next step is to scale the system to a national level, integrating it fully into Eurosistra’s operational ecosystem to enhance real-time road safety intervention, support public authorities, and build a smarter, safer, and more sustainable response framework.
Initial results from the municipalities involved in the pilot indicate a marked improvement in response coordination. By enabling tow truck drivers to report the need for road cleaning directly via the GESTOW platform—with GPS location, photographic evidence, and incident details—the process of activating cleaning services became more immediate and structured.
Even with a limited sample, the data shows a reduction in response time and fewer communication errors, thanks to the automation of dispatch and the removal of manual reporting steps. Cleaning service providers also reported greater preparedness due to the richness of the digital service orders received.
Municipal stakeholders highlighted the added value of structured data, enabling better monitoring of incidents and stronger alignment with environmental and safety standards.
While the pilot is still ongoing, the preliminary effects are promising. The next step is to scale the system to a national level, integrating it fully into Eurosistra’s operational ecosystem to enhance real-time road safety intervention, support public authorities, and build a smarter, safer, and more sustainable response framework.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
Call for Action is a strong example of how technology can transform post-accident response into a proactive element of road safety. By enabling tow truck drivers to instantly report hazardous road conditions, the system accelerates cleaning operations, reduces the risk of secondary accidents, and ensures safer roads in real time. Even in its pilot phase, it has shown measurable gains in response speed, data accuracy, and coordination. As it scales nationally, this initiative represents a smart, replicable solution for urban road safety management.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
Although still in its pilot phase, the Call for Action project has been presented to municipal partners through technical briefings, operational meetings, and demonstration sessions. Preliminary results and insights have been shared via internal reports and reviewed with stakeholders to refine the system. Additionally, Eurosistra Portugal and MK Group have featured the initiative in newsletters, highlighted it in industry forums, and discussed it at safety and mobility events. As the project scales, further dissemination is planned through case studies, digital publications, and conferences focused on innovation in road safety and smart mobility.