Telematics

Telematics systems can help to reduce vehicle CO2 and tailpipe emissions, mileage and fuel costs. Telematics is the use of highly sophisticated technology to transmit information to and from a vehicle. This information is then processed to enhance the vehicle’s performance and monitor its location. There are four key telematics systems which are described below.

In-car satellite navigation systems (SatNav)

These involve an in car satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS). The unit does not transmit signals but utilises streams of data beamed from specific satellites to establish where the vehicle is at any point in time. Once the vehicle’s position is known the system utilises digitised maps. These maps are used to calculate a route from the vehicle’s location to a desired destination which is selected by the driver. The Satellite Navigation System will then provide the driver with directions to the chosen location. Most systems on the market provide voice commands and display maps along with diagrams to direct the driver.

The biggest advantage for fleet managers is undoubtedly the potential to reduce the number of miles per journey through avoiding the likelihood of drivers getting lost. In addition, some systems can re-route drivers to avoid bad traffic or accident black spots.

Basic track and trace

There are two fundamental systems available for track and trace, both are similar and involve the monitoring of vehicle locations either through mobile phone technology or GPS technology. ‘Smart units’ on board the vehicle incorporate some or all of the functions of a mobile phone and can send data from the vehicle back to a base computer. The information being transmitted can include both a position and a time stamp. The master computer can superimpose this information on a digital map and display the location of the vehicle remotely. By monitoring the signals sent at intervals it is possible to build a picture or trace of where the vehicle has been and its average speed.

Some of the benefits of track and trace include:

• Improved route planning and journey optimisation – especially for multi drop/visit operations.
• Traffic congestion notification and avoidance.
• Notification to customers of possible delivery problems encountered en route.
• Increased flexibility with real time re-routing.
• Safety aspect of knowing where all employees are – especially for lone, night or other vulnerable workers.
• Activation in the event of a vehicle theft to track a stolen vehicle.

Vehicle mileage capture

Vehicle mileage capture is not concerned with the real time tracking or deployment of vehicles but provides a low-grade data trail and history of where a vehicle has been and the distances covered for later offline analysis. It uses similar technology to the track and trace systems.

The most common application for this technology is to record vehicle mileage for reimbursement and taxation purposes for company cars and for monitoring vehicle servicing intervals. Most vehicle systems have a switch to enable the driver to select business or private mileage and the data recorded is different dependent on which mode is being operated.

The system provides monitoring of journey times and distances covered for operational efficiency analysis.

Fully integrated track and trace, with onboard data collection and communications links

This includes all the benefits of the basic track and trace but also utilises the vehicle’s Controller Area. It is capable of assembling vast amounts of data from the vehicle’s onboard systems and relaying it to the control room. Essentially any component of the host vehicle that patches into the vehicles onboard system can be accessed by the Telematics system. This information is then sent through the mobile network.

It means almost any operational data about the vehicle can be identified. This includes information such as the vehicle’s speed, whether lights are on, seatbelts are being worn, engine speed and brake wear. If it can be measured then it can be transmitted back to base as part of the Telematics package. Most of these advanced systems are designed with the truck/ freight industry in mind but this technology can and will find its way into specialist – and ultimately more generalised – car and van-based applications.

Sources of further information

Energy Saving Trust document on telematics: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
UK Telematics online – general news site on telematics: www.uktelematicesonline.co.uk