Telematics and GPS Navigation » trailer tracking

GPS Fleet Tracking Extends Reach To Trailers And Heavy Equipment

admin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:57 +0000

tracking system layout

GPS fleet tracking used to be just about tracking vehicles such as cars and trucks. Now the fleet tracking includes freight, heavy equipment and

trailers as well, and are being incorporated into the fleet tracking software. Sometimes other functions are required for trailers and heavy equipment such as environmental and if it has been opened or not. These features would be wrapped up in the entire telematics system software however. At any rate, read on for more about how GPS fleet tracking now incorporates trailers and heavy equipment.

With significant technology improvements and expanding wireless networks, the GPS fleet tracking industry has exploded in growth, and small business owners are probably benefiting the most. From landscape companies to local couriers, fleets as small as two or three can see tremendous advantages from the technology. What about heavy equipment operators, trailer companies, and vehicle auction companies? Do GPS options exist for these segments?

The struggle such segments encounter deals with cost, durability, and a lack of power supply. Trailers are often disconnected from power supplies for long periods of time. Vehicle auction companies – always a target for auto theft – cannot afford GPS for the majority of vehicles that just sit, but still need to deter theft and track vehicle movement when grand theft occurs. Heavy equipment operators are primarily concerned about device durability.

Thanks to companies like iTRAK Corporation in Colorado, such GPS tracking solutions now exist. The company recently released its newest product, iTRAKopus? 1200, an economical and compact tracking device that operates on GSM data networks. Designed for easy installation, the 1200 is a self-contained device with an internal antenna and battery that is charged when connected to a power supply. The battery can power the GPS device for 6 to 18 months, based upon device usage.

The iTRAKopus? 1200 is very compact (measuring about 2″x4″x1.5″) and weighs only about 1 pound. The casing is tamper-proof and highly durable for withstanding the wear and tear of being installed on heavy equipment. Trailers will benefit from the battery life, and vehicle auction companies will find the cost of the device easy to swallow. Additionally, iTRAK’s data systems monitor device activity based on actions, rather than time intervals. Such a system structure eliminates useless data transfer to further reduce monthly data fees.

The GPS industry continues to rapidly evolve at all levels, but most certainly in the commercial sector. Additional advantages companies will experience from a GPS fleet tracking system on unique assets is a reduction in insurance costs, as well as an improvement in operations.

The industry’s top GPS tracking systems operate in the cloud and can be easily accessed through mobile devices, such as iPhone, Android, and Blackberry. Reporting functions can be highly customized based on a company’s specific needs, and enterprise systems can be more cost-effectively deployed for companies in need of additional security. The sky is quickly becoming the limit in the GPS fleet tracking industry.

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Forward Planning And The Practical Benefits Of Fleet Telematics

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:51:55 +0000

Telematics is becoming more of a necessity rather than a luxury in businesses that have to operate a fleet of vehicles. The savings on the vehicles is

fleet telematics tracking map

becoming well known, especially since the cost of the telematics technology has gone down significantly over the years. In these days, most software management of the fleets can be done online through a service, which saves a lot of upfront costs of software installation. Read on for more on the benefits of fleet telematics.

Fleet industry analysts are forecasting sales growth for telematics to rise to almost 6.5 million units by 2014. Developing realtime vehicle tracking innovation is recognised as a key factor by most private industry or public sectors operating fleet vehicles of any size or application when forward planning to maintain maximum cost efficiencies and productivity.

Technology now plays a crucial role in the global fleet industry. From local and regional SME businesses, equipped with a basic vehicle tracking device to national and world wide haulage and service distribution, deploying a full scale fleet gps tracking system.

While telematics investment is seen as a capital asset, most small to mid size fleet organisations enter the process with an entry-level vehicle tracker which supplies a basic ’satnav’ application. Fleet managers and their control room teams quickly become aware that it is crucial to have full visibility of an entire journey history as it happens in realtime. A system upgrade to a full live vehicle tracking system enables streaming data to be directly relayed from the on-board diagnostics.

Consultation and full company workflow and costings analysis is a vital prerequisite in forward planning projected business growth to a required telematics performance. Provision of capacity must be to meet future fleet operational demands with added functionality, rather than simply address present concerns. A clear prefiguring of practical benefits will enhance productivity estimates matched to delivery capability. In addition, a selected software solution must be scalable or customised to fleet vehicle specification and intended usage. Economic urgency can very often focus on a main issue of fuel cost reduction to be achieved within the first time period of installed GPS tracking use, obscuring wider strategy needs.

It’s not uncommon for the immediate benefit to quickly fall away after a small short-term gain from initial driver reaction once a vehicle fleet tracking system has been installed. It is imperative that data must constantly be utilised and acted upon to inform the vital decision making process in order to see long term benefits. Key running cost reduction and productivity development can be most effectively implemented via necessary driver behaviour management. Company operating costs can be better controlled by ensuring that data is understood and acted upon on a daily basis.

In-vehicle diagnostics will monitor driving behaviours, such as idling, gear selection and engine revs, as well as measuring braking, acceleration and cornering. Installed routing software enables comparisons between actual and planned scheduling with geo-fencing limits, which can be pre-set for vehicle movements out of hours or prescribed journey areas. Also, a record of any unauthorised vehicle use can be kept.

Consultation with the telematics provider at very stage is vital, especially when planning integration with existing network infrastructures. Telematics purchasing is always vitally dependent on possessing full and accurate information, which aims to achieve the required cost reductions. A strategic implementation policy and assignment of responsibility for ensuring the entire process is carried out to agreed plan is a forward planning imperative.

http://www.cybit.co.uk are the UK’s Leading Supplier of Vehicle Based Telematics Services, GPS Vehicle Tracking, Fleet Tracking, Trailer Tracking with customisable added value application modules, who deliver an extensive portfolio of advanced vehicle tracking solutions to over 2,000 enterprises across a wide-range of industries. UKAS accredited to ISO 9001:2000, Cybit’s dedicated professional services team can provide guidance to legislation compliance, Human Resource Management and Duty of Care best practice.

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Telematics – Trailer Tracking Load Security Moves Ahead!

admin — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:24:19 +0000

Telematics is a key part of providing trailer tracking thus adding another level of security. Many features can provide information to the owner such as location and environmental variables. There is even a way to tell if your trailer has been opened or not and will send an alarm if it is. Of course there are alerts and alarms for any situation you wish to set up, which is what the telematics software will provide.

Here are some videos on Telematics and Trailer Tracking:

Tractor Trailer Tracking Trick

The physics of the trailer was done in a rush so it is mostly wrong. This video was more a quick demo to show that the tracking can handle a complex 3D object which is not so big in the image and which is not so textured.

Trailer Tracking

System & product solution

Track Your Truck Vehicle Tracking — SkyHawk Pure Satellite Equipment Tracking Unit.mpg

Self-contained, battery operated GPS Equipment Tracking Unit using Track Your Truck’s NetTrack Vehicle Tracking Service (www.trackyourtruck.com)

Here is an article on Trailer Tracking Telematics

Trailer tracking technology has brought major innovation to cargo transportation, ensuring constant load safety surveillance en-route and off-road.

In addition, integration of load safety and security monitoring into realtime feedback reports connected to advanced types of vehicle tracking systems, means drivers have total control of steered trailer movement, and lorries shedding their load is now a rare occurrence.

Where fixing location by GPS vehicle tracking to enable rapid decision management, trailer tracking will deploy motion sensors and door monitoring, essential to today’s load security standard.

The expansion of load capability in recent years now means that there is an estimated number of three trailers for every HGV. However, up until recently, telematics application – the sending, receiving and storing information via telecommunication devices – was split between trailer tracking and vehicle based systems. The important management reporting for the trailer load that had only been available for the vehicle itself can now be supplied by the technological advances in commercial vehicle tracking.

In addition, chilled or frozen distribution fleet industries running vital time critical delivery, can also constantly monitor temperature by independent probes or directly connected recorders.

A Fleet Director can also supply data which relays live visibility of auxillary equipment monitoring, for planning and managing servicing and compliance. Precise number of hours and distances travelled are constantly updated from the trailer on preset timed intervals, usually around every 20 seconds. Customisable location-based reporting can be calibrated for daily, weekly or monthly, even when the trailer is not in operation.

Installing a vehicle tracking device is now established as a significant method to drive down fleet-expenditure. The implementation of a trailer tracking system to supply usage reporting can enable further fleet cost reductions relating directly to critical fuel efficiency and duty-of-care management integral to vehicle safety and security.

Here are some more blog postings about telematics and trailer tracking:

Trailer Tracking Load Security Moves Ahead!

However, up until recently, telematics application – the sending, receiving and storing information via telecommunication devices – was split between trailer tracking and vehicle based systems. The important management reporting for the …

Publish Date: 09/17/2010

What Are Vehicle Telematics and Vehicle Tracking?

Trailer Tracking is the technology of tracking the movements and position of an articulated vehicle’s trailer unit, through the use of a location unit fitted to the trailer and a method of returning the position data via mobile …

Publish Date: 08/08/2010

Global Consumer and Commercial Telematics Penetration Levels to …

Consumer telematics data cover OEM and aftermarket systems. Commercial data include fleet management, trailer tracking and container security tracking systems. It is part of the Telematics Research Service, which also includes Research …

Publish Date: 05/05/2010 1

ABI: Global Telematics Penetration Levels to Reach 23 Percent by …

Commercial data include fleet management, trailer tracking and container security tracking systems. It is part of the Telematics Research Service, which also includes Research Reports, Research Briefs, ABI Insights, ABI Vendor Matrices, …

Publish Date: 05/19/2010

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What is Vehicle Tracking and Vehicle Telematics?

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 06:51:34 +0000

Telematics is the convergence of telecommunications and information processing, the term later evolved to refer to automation in automobiles, such as the invention of the emergency warning system for vehicles. GPS navigation, integrated hands-free cell phones, wireless safety communications and automatic driving assistance systems all are covered under the telematics umbrella. Vehicle telematics includes a number of different functions. This article discusses many of these different aspects and functions. Read on for more!

Every few years a new technology appears that changes forever the way people communicate and do business with each other. GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems spawned from the evolution of personal computers, mobile phones, the GPS Global Positioning System and the Internet. These all converged to form a new technology; Vehicle Telematics. The more general topic of Telematics can cover many areas. The focus of this article and the UK Telematics Online website is with vehicle telematics, which can be defined as; “The use of computers and telecommunications to enhance the functionality, productivity and security of both vehicles and drivers.”

A prominent part of many vehicle telematics solutions is Vehicle Tracking. Typical vehicle tracking systems are comprised of two core parts; location hardware (also known as Vehicle Location Unit or tracking device) and vehicle tracking software. The tracking device is most often hardwire installed in the vehicle. For a straight forward vehicle tracking product, the installation menas fitting the device using a simple three wire connection; ignition switch, battery and earth. Tracking devices using SIRF II or similar GPS receiver technology require the use of an antenna, external to the device, fitted in the line of sight of the sky to receive optimal GPS transmissions. A second antenna is used to transmit the data off board the device, commonly using a mobile data network such as GPRS. Latest generation GPS recievers may mean that installation foregoes the use of an external GPS antenna. As stated, the typical tracking hardware for a fleet management solution uses GPS to pinpoint location. Updates are transmitted at a regular timed interval, or after and including an event trigger, such as ignition on / off. This location/ journey data is commonly made available to the user by the service provider, via a website, where a secure login enables fleet activity to be viewed live and or historically, using digital mapping and reporting tools.

Vehicle Tracking Systems are often configured to transmit location and input data at a set update rate or when an event triggers the unit to transmit data. Entry level “Live (or real-time) Vehicle Tracking” generally refers to systems which are configured simply to update at regular timed intervals; 1 minute, 2 minute or 5 minute etc. These sohrt update intervals are used while the ignition status is on and once the vehicle is parked, ignition off, the device will often go into a hibernation or standby mode, transmitting updates intermittently or upon wake up by the next ignition on or the input from a motion sensor attached to the device.

Many Telematics Service Providers, facing increased competition and falling prices, are keen to show that Telematics can mean more than just vehicle tracking. The advent of combined two way messaging and satellite navigation products is such an example of this product development. Fleet managers can choose to do more than simply locate a vehicle or group of vehicles. So called Connected Navigation solutions, allow fleet managers and job dispatchers to locate and track a vehicle or group of vehicles in relation to customer sites, then transmit and receive job messages to and from drivers, while the onboard navigation device automatically creates a journey route and and sends back the estimated time of arrival back to the job dispatch office. This can lead to more jobs completed per day, reduced journey times, fuel savings and improved customer satisfaction.

When used in a commercial environment vehicle telematics can be a powerful and valuable tool to improve the efficiency of an organization. The fleet activity can be analyzed and decisions taken based upon actual information, not guesswork. Key Performance Indicators including, journey times, fuel economy and drivers hours, can be improved.

The challenge is finding the right tracking and telematics solution and then using the information it provides to ensure the maximum benefit is returned against investment.

Other terms used in relation to vehicle telematics might also include, fleet management, GPS vehicle tracking, GPS tracking, GPS tracker, fleet telematics and satellite tracking or satellite tracker. All of these terms generally relate to the content found on the website UK Telematics Online.

As vehicle telematics technology has developed and it’s use becomes more widespread, an ever increasing number and variety of vehicle tracking systems are available to small business users.

Understanding the technology behind these products, knowing what benefits this technology can deliver, while at the same time, being aware of some of the potential pitfalls to avoid, will save the potential user money and ulimately aid the implementation of these solutions.

Vehicle Tracking

Vehicle tracking is the technology of tracking the movements and/or status of a vehicle or fleet of vehicles, through the use of a vehicle tracking device, typically equipped with a GPS Locator and GPRS modem, which is fitted in the vehicle. Tracking software is then used to view the data, available as a PC or Web based mapping and reporting application.

Trailer Tracking

Trailer Tracking is the technology of tracking the movements and position of an articulated vehicle’s trailer unit, through the use of a location unit fitted to the trailer and a method of returning the position data via mobile communication network or geostationary satellite communications, for use though either PC or Web based software.

Fuel Saving Telematics

The typical car, commercial vehicle or Heavy Goods Vehicle built in recent years, now comes equipped as standard with on board engine diagnostics. This information can be accessed via after market products which capture data directly from the vehicles’ communications network. This communications network (CANbus) passes information around the vehicle connecting all the elements of the vehicle; engine performance, fuel usage, diagnostics etc., various elements of which can be captured and then transmitted off board the vehicle to be analysed by the user. Being able to show the driver that they are over revving, not using cruise control enough, driving to fast, not being efficient in their use of gears etc., can lead to improved fuel economy and reduced vehicle emissions. In addition to driving performance monitoring, providers are beginning to offer ECU remapping to optimise the performance of the vehicle. When combined with ability to monitor vehicle performance and driver behaviour, ECU remapping is promoted as leading to fuel economy savings of up to 10%.

GPS Satellite Navigation

GPS Satellite Navigation technology uses a GPS and electronic mapping tool to enable the user to locate a position, then route plan and navigate a journey.

Mobile Data

The use of wireless data communications using radio waves to send and receive real time computer data to, from and between devices used by field based personnel.

About the author

Matthew Wright is the publisher of the UK Telematics Online website. Vehicle Telematics solutions such as vehicle tracking are now widely available from a huge number of suppliers; many of whom promote themselves as the “market leader” and promise to deliver ‘cost benefit’ and ‘return on investment’. With extensive experience of working with both suppliers and customers “I feel that users of vehicle telematics, if they are actually to see the benefits promised by suppliers and manufacturers, want and need to be better informed.”

UK Telematics Online is an independent source of free information, tips & advice to assist visitors with buying decisions and to aid better implementation of vehicle telematics and vehicle tracking solutions

More on Vehicle Telematics:

Highlights from Telematics Detroit | telematicsupdate.com …

RealVNC showcased a mobile solution that provides remote access and control of mobile devices and computers directly from in-vehicle telematics and infotainment systems. With the VNC Mobile Solution installed, any mobile device that …

Publish Date: 06/10/2010

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