Sept/Oct 2003

Road sweepers are among the first vehicles being tracked by the London Borough of Hillingdon, which is piloting the use of the Masternaut Web-based tracking system. The organisation says it aims to improve driver safety, security, customer service and resource utilisation.

Street sweepers of all sizes are being equipped, including Schmidt precinct and pavement sweepers, Scarab mid-sized sweepers and full-sized vehicles.

The tracking system is being linked to sensors that monitor events such as "brush down" instances. Fleet manager Richard Winter says the system will help the council to "work smarter", optimising routes and improving service where it's needed most.

Masternaut uses always-on GPRS communications to transmit information on vehicles' movements, and delivers the data over the Internet. Hillingdon is already investigating the possibility of installing the system in welfare buses.