While several years ago it seemed that Local Authorities were slow to adopt telematics as a solution, the increasing pressure on performance now drives them to take on these systems. Hugh Foster highlights several examples of how new technology can help LA fleet managers improve operations for every possible aspect.

While several years ago it seemed that Local Authorities were slow to adopt telematics as a solution, the increasing pressure on performance now drives them to take on these systems. Hugh Foster highlights several examples of how new technology can help LA fleet managers improve operations for every possible aspect.

In the year of the 40th anniversary of the first moon landings it is prescient to consider how far we have come in terms of the technological advances now readily available to the industry. When one considers the oft mentioned adage (apocryphal or not), that an early mobile phone/pocket calculator contained more sophisticated electronic hardware than the computer onboard Apollo 11 we have some idea where we stand and the possibilities for the future. These new technologies have the potential to improve efficiency and calibre of service across many areas of the industry resulting in greater performance satisfaction. Such key sections for improvement include fuel consumption, journey times and driver hours all leading towards better customer appreciation.

Telematics combine information processing, employment of GPS technology with wireless hand held information instruments or onboard messaging systems. These devices relay vital data back to the primary system located at the depot/office. Vehicle telematics bring into unison those elements necessary to create a new structure with the potential for wide application throughout Local Authority and commercial vehicle fleets.

The advent of telematics and vehicle tracking will allow fleet managers and job dispatchers to locate, track and then transfer and receive messages to and from drivers, providing the opportunity to map routes and calculate time of arrival while also allowing drivers to anticipate and avoid obstacles be they in the form of road maintainance or traffic congestion, thereby reducing delays. The implementation of vehicle telematics provides for the monitoring of a fleet’s daily movements. Based on accurate first hand intelligence measures can be taken to identify obstructions to fitter business practices giving scope for solutions, tailored to an individual organisation’s needs.

Fuel consumption can be limited through the exchange of information regarding trouble spots. Then by transmitting the information to drivers alternative routes can be considered, thus cutting down on mileage and increasing efficiency. Notice of the cancellation of collections/ deliveries can be immediately forwarded to the vehicle in question, permitting the driver to move on to the next job without an unnecessary increase in the number of manhours for the completion of the job. In terms of a green agenda one can see how this greater productivity will reduce a fleets’ enviromental footprint. Many heavy goods and commercial vehicles are today equipped with an internal diagnostic capability. This will help identify any defects within the vehicle quickly and so mitigate extended journey times and the possibility of increased vehicle maintainance and expense.

Enigma Vehicle Systems based in Southend, have launched a new option using the Skyline tracking and telematics system. Employing Enigma’s Report Scheduler, vehicle and plant fleet managers can tailor data retrieval and reports suited to their specific needs. One leading European equipment rental company made savings of close to 2000 Euros per week through the analysis of information gathered by using the Skyline reporting application. The latest version Skyline 6.1 is suitable for both UK and European customers allowing for more detailed data and also provides access to each customer’s account from computer, PDA, Blackberry or mobile phone 24/7.

Speedsafe from Cybit in Huntingdon is a new road speed application which allows managers to focus on client satisfaction through monitoring more efficient use of fleets in operation thereby improving performance. The Health & Safety Offences Act requires employers to mitigate risk for mobile employees – reducing speeding is one of the primary ways that this can be done,’ commented John Wisdom, Sales and Marketing Director at Cybit. ‘The risks of travelling at high-speeds are well documented, but employers need a way to not only see when instances of excessive speed occur, but also a way to implement and manage a process to reduce them. We use Speedsafe inside our business as the most effective way to do this.’ In conjunction with Cybit’s Fleetstar Online Duty of Care Solution this new module creates driver reports which can be broken down in order to isolate problems leading to inefficiency, including speeding and other road infractions.

Speedsafe from Cybit in Huntingdon is a new road speed application which allows managers to focus on client satisfaction through monitoring more efficient use of fleets in operation thereby improving performance.

MiX Telematics have recently introduced with Scania their latest process Scania OnScene, an adaptable technician and service vehicle management system powered by MiX Telematics Workflow solution. This allows Scania’s active engineers direct contact as to when and where their next job arises, and using PDAs allows relevant information to be transmitted keeping all parties up to date. The PDA’s touchscreen will log accepted jobs, time of arrival and given that a telephone number has been provided a text can be sent via Scania Assistance to the customer. Details of the work undertaken can be recorded and the technician then reports that the job has been completed.

Masternaut has incorporated a tiny GPS tracker, mobile phone and emergency alarm into a wristwatch.

Masternaut Three X based in Leeds, launched earlier this year their emergency alarm wristwatch, the LoKate. The watch provides GPS tracking, an integrated mobile phone and is waterproof and of a sturdy design complete with panic button. LoKate utilises the Masternaut vehicle and mobile asset satellite tracking system with voice and data communications via a standard GSM/GPRS network. The wristwatch allows for direct contact with depot/HQ and is suitable for a variety of lone workers e.g. field engineers, security services and drivers. Users can be located in real-time using an internet browser thus enabling office based managers and support personnel to monitor field based colleagues. ‘By incorporating a tiny GPS tracker, mobile phone and emergency alarm into a wristwatch, LoKate is a real innovation that will help protect staff working on their own in remote or at risk locations,’ explained Martin Port, Managing Director of Masternaut Three X. ‘LoKate pinpoints the distress alarm location immediately via the web on street maps and there is also pager-type clip option so it can be worn on a belt or clipped to a shirt pocket if more convenient.’

LoKate pinpoints the distress alarm location immediately via the web on street maps and there is also pager-type clip option so it can be worn on a belt or clipped to a shirt pocket if more convenient.

Internec CN3 is another new development from Ryzex. Their customer Kwik-Fit had until recently been using a hand held telematic system however this required upgrading and Kwik-Fit also wished to manage mobile units from a central location. MMCC wrote specific software to accommodate the requirements of engineers in the field, B2M supplied a management system known as mprodigy allowing updates and maintainance from a single point while Ryzex provided the hardware.

Kwik-Fit chose to work with MMCC as the company already provided support services for the old mobile system. Simon Lucas, Operations Director of Kwik-Fit commented ‘Developing a third-generation system is potentially more risky than doing it for the first time. We had to get it right otherwise we could have ended up going backwards. MMCC has produced high quality work for us in the past and they’ve proved to be very reliable and flexible.’

Meanwhile RDS Technology Ltd based in Gloucestershire, have created an axle overload warning programme called Axlog Alpha. This technology accommodates both spring and air suspension variants. An in-cab display relays data about the load on each axle as a percentage of the legal capacity or the axle load in tonnes. The appropriate limits can be programmed beforehand during the calibration process. An illuminated 4 digit module in the cab comes with two active front panel switches covering all functions and an internal audible alarm. Furthermore load status can be monitored by both driver and office through the Axlog computer Alpha link. This transmits information to a third party via a wireless modem within the cab direct to a centrally located control PC.

Tower Hamlets Borough Council has come together in partnership with DigiCore, based in Harrow, Middlesex, to implement and develop a vehicle tracking system. This enterprise has been put into operation with the Council’s fleet of minibuses and coaches. DigiCore’s C-Track vehicle tracking and management system has been employed by the Council’s fleet of 60 passenger vehicles to record and optimise efficiency across the service. John Stevens, Transport Manger at Tower Hamlets Borough Council explained. ‘The system has been in place for just on four years and, initially in analysing the data we found that many vehicles were idling for long periods of time and some vehicles went off route. These issues can now be dealt with through the monitoring of information and has been enough to alleviate these bad practices. We have also been able to contest a speeding fine and some parking fines where our vehicles were registering a legal speed or were not in the area at the time of the allegation.’ Tom O’Connor Managing Director of DigiCore Limited added: ‘We are delighted to have the opportunity to develop this partnership with Tower Hamlets Borough Council and support essential services within the Borough. This agreement underlines our ability to implement bespoke solutions that are developed with our customers to meet their precise needs.’

Windsor Fleet situated in Dublin supplies all makes and models of passenger cars and commercial vehicles on lease, contract or straight purchase. This is coupled with a large range of fleet management services from vehicle maintenance to accident management. Using software from international firm Civica and known as Tranman, Windsor Fleet provides specialist advice vital in enhancing performance across fleets.

Anthony Jackson Operations Manager at Windsor Fleet explained:‘Tranman has a proven track record for enabling fleet managers to achieve cost and utilisation benefits through improved management information and analysis. The benefits include reduced fleet and whole life operating costs improved risk management, better control over fuel usage, minimised vehicle down-tine and reduced vehicle asset holding.’ Richard Pearce Fleet Product Director at Civica pointed out: ‘Tranman provides a fully integrated system with a track record of helping customers to achieve a tangible return on investment from cost saving to vehicle availability.’

A pan European project entitled the European Automotive Digital Innovation Studio (EADIS) has been awarded a 400,000 Euros grant from the European Commission under its Leonardo programme. EADIS launched in 2007 brings together Coventry University (CEPAD) UK, Oulu University of Applied Sciences Finland, Munster University of Applied Sciences Germany, Turin Polytechnic, Italy and the Technical University of Delft The Netherlands. Using a virtual work environment called the Digital Innovation Studio these institutions will develop and train professional designers in the automotive industry in the impact and application of vehicle telematics so that they may integrate new technologies into future products within the automotive industry.

There are host of differing applications addressing the methods by which efficiency can be improved across vehicle fleets. While they may differ in design and instrumentation they all possess in varying degrees, the potential to maximise productivity within the industry. Had Mission Control the advantages made available through telematics and fleet management systems how much easier would it have been to keep an eye on Apollo 11?

MiX Telematics have recently introduced with Scania their latest process Scania OnScene, an adaptable technician and service vehicle management system powered by MiX Telematics Workflow solution.