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3 July, 2009 |
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Vehicles that limit their speed to the road they're on
 Trials of a system that limits vehicle speeds automatically to the roads they are on have been launched by Transport for London. Factors monitored during the trial will include driver behaviour, journey times and the impact on vehicle emissions. Under the six-month trial, drivers will be able to set their vehicle up so that acceleration is blocked as soon as the current speed limit is reached. For safety's sake, the system can be overridden by a single touch of a button. The scheme requires each vehicle to be able to monitor its current position by GPS (much as is done with standard satnav devices), and will require the fitting of a discrete limiting device in the vehicle. This in turn depends on the availability of a new speed limit map dataset released by TfL itself earlier this year. Major features in latest issue: see links at column head, PLUS: Small fleet, big gains – the telematics dividend Evaluation: Motion J3400: Rugged tablet computer with slot-in keyboard from Motion Computing Mobile solution speeds DX's secure deliveries
Bannatyne introduces tracking in health club fleet
 Bannatyne Fitness, the health club chain owned by Dragons' Den celebrity Duncan Bannatyne, says it is making savings by using a satellite-based tracking system from Masternaut Three X to help manage its fleet of maintenance and service vehicles. Benefits reported by the company include better fuel consumption, enhanced driver safety, improved vehicle security and a reduction in environmental impact. The organisation has 61 health clubs, and Masternaut's live tracking feature is said to have helped direct vehicles away from traffic problems and re-deploy them to respond quickly to urgent call-outs. Managers can also monitor issues such as engine idling in real time, and take corrective action.
Satnav 'reduces journeys, saves fuel and is greener' – study
Using a satellite navigation system can show definitive improvements in fuel consumption and reductions in harmful emissions, according to controlled trials conducted at Dusseldorf and Munich in Germany by NuStats, a social science research organisation in the PTV group. The work was done on behalf of map producer Navteq. Drivers in the trials, which were conducted in normal traffic in urban areas, made shorter journeys, spent less time travelling, and as a consequence generated fewer carbon dioxide emissions. According to Navteq president and chief executive Judson Green: 'These results are representative of a trend that globally has often been implied, but not previously proven in the realm of everyday use.'
More users drawn to fleet tracking by recession
The recession is prompting more companies, especially smaller businesses, to come forward and introduce tracking systems, according to one supplier, V-SOL. But it adds that only a third of companies that could benefit from the cost savings of vehicle tracking systems are actually using them. According to managing director David Isom: 'The vehicle tracking market has changed significantly over the last couple of years. We used to see tracking systems purchased mainly by large business fleets, but with the reduced costs of the systems, together with the greater control they offer, the benefits are now being utilised by much smaller businesses in a wider range of markets.' He says the businesses now introducing tracking systems range from housing to distribution, and some have just a few vehicles.
Slicing and dicing with Microlise's Data Cube
 Modern on-board telematics systems can capture a huge amount of data from driver and vehicle performance to location. But data in itself, of course, is not meaningful unless it is presented in a format the business can make use of. That's what Microlise is aiming for with its latest Data Cube, a reports database. 'The Data Cube allows you to see your data how you want to see it and to analyse it too,' explains product director Matt Hague. 'The data has always been on the system, but now it is a lot easier to access it in real time and in a format that delivers real business intelligence. It takes just a few seconds to build a report.' Data is cut and sliced in real time, creating lots of levels in 'vanilla' reports. The data store conforms to OLAP standards, and reports can be created on demand or automatically at pre-configured periods and in a variety of formats. All reports are XML Web service-based.
New owner for Masternaut's French counterpart
 French telematics company Masternaut has been acquired by Hub télécom, a specialist telecom division of Aéroports de Paris. Masternaut Three X, which distributes Masternaut solutions in the UK, is a separate independent company, and so is not directly affected by the deal. The French company was acquired five years ago by Sanef, a leading European player in toll road technology and infrastructure. The new owners say they will maintain a strong relationship with Sanef. Masternaut is currently said to be engaged in a large number of major government-backed initiatives for road tolling projects in the UK and across Europe. Masternaut Three X is a 30 per cent shareholder within Sanef's road toll business in the UK.
Surefeight saves £300,000 with telematics
Surefreight, a logistics company operating between Britain, Ireland and Europe, says it is on track to make savings of more than £300,000 from fitting a telematics system in its 112-strong transport fleet. It is using the EcoTrak system from CMS SupaTrak. Surefreight began working with CMS SupaTrak on a trial basis – fitting a number of vehicles with the EcoTrak fuel-saving technology. At the time their fuel consumption was 6.9 mpg. By the end, the average consumption being achieved by these vehicles was 8 mpg, equating to an annual fuel cost saving of over £300,000 across the whole fleet. General manager Frances Fields says the company is making these savings by monitoring and managing driver behaviour, identifying drivers with less efficient performance, and addressing issues where necessary. |