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Telematics – an intelligent future, like it or not
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Oct/Nov 2008
Streamlining driver performance analysis
 Microlise borrows an idea from the domestic appliance market In recognition that managing the sheer amount of data produced by a CANbus interface can take a lot of time, Microlise has developed a new and more accessible suite of driver and vehicle performance analysis reports. It introduces finer ratings graduations for driver and vehicle performance, yet presents them in a graphical style that should make drivers and managers immediately aware of those areas where performance needs to improve. The data is captured via an interface between the CANbus that is standard on Microlise's Vehicle Tracking Unit and the vehicle FMS telematics port. 
Much of the captured data is driver-related, including over-speeding, engine idling, harsh braking, time spent in the fuel-efficient green band and use of cruise control. 'The key to fast improvement in fuel consumption is to debrief drivers immediately after a trip and before the next one,' says product director Matt Hague. 'We think it is also key that the improvement targets should be in small increments, so the driver believes they are achievable.' Once the baseline fuel economy benchmark is established, he explains, it can be raised gradually, to ensure there is continual improvement. To accomplish this, Microlise has developed a subtler version of the red-amber-green approach now common in analysis reporting. It has seven levels, and is based on the A to G energy efficiency ratings used for domestic appliances. The ratings can be applied to specific criteria such as idling, or give an overall rating for a driver or even a depot within a multi-depot operation. The fuel data is captured by measuring fuel flow, not fuel consumed. 'Fuel flow gives a more reliable indication of fuel consumption than measuring fuel used, which can be rolled up by half a litre, causing distortions when comparing vehicles,' Hague says.  Microlise says fuel costs can start falling within 90 days after its recommended three-phase implementation period. This starts with an initial period, typically four weeks, of collecting data on vehicle performance to establish a baseline and snapshot of fuel consumption across the fleet, followed by capturing of specific driver data, again to establish a baseline for each driver. At that point, operators can start to introduce driver debriefings that will deliver the improvement.
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