Some truck operators feel a degree in information technology is the minimum requirement for anyone buying a vehicle tracking system. James Walker of BRS Truck Rental tells Sharon Clancy why BRS thinks that fitting tracking systems throughout its fleet can help

James Walker, managing director of BRS Truck Rental, is passionate about the benefits tracking can deliver, and equally passionate about the best way to convert notoriously conservative truck operators to the cause. His dictum: make it simple.

"Operators are wary of telematics and vehicle tracking because a lot of the focus is on the technology and how clever it is. The average haulier is not interested in technology for its own sake; he doesn't have the time to research what is the best solution for his business, or the inclination to risk precious capital resources on what may turn out to be an expensive mistake."

BRS has decided to make its contribution to the learning process by offering tracking systems as standard in its rental vehicles. The organisation began offering the tracking service last March, adding 450 telematics-equipped vehicles to its 3,500-strong fleet. They range from vans to maximum-weight tractor units. So far, 375 such vehicles are already on contract hire to customers.

 

From now on, all new vehicles will have basic tracking equipment fitted, and a retrofit programme for vehicles already in the fleet is under way. Basically it involves hard-wiring a GPS/GSM telematics unit into the vehicle, and fitting a roof-mounted antenna.

As you might expect, Walker hopes to attract fleets run by operators who already have their own in-house telematics systems, and require similarly-equipped replacement or additional vehicles on a short-term rental or contract hire basis. However, he is equally keen on tempting telematics novices.

"We have gone out and sold the benefits of tracking to customers. It is about running your business more efficiently, and improving driver safety and customer service levels. Operators can discover the benefits with no capital risk and no long-term commitment. All they need is a computer with a Web connection and Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0."

Password-controlled tracking

In keeping with this philosophy, the extra cost of a GPS-equipped vehicle has been kept low. Operators pay an extra £10 a week for the basic package, which includes one poll per day for a live position update, plus access to a password-controlled vehicle tracking sector on the BRS internet site. Here they can download reports route analysis and vehicle data such as fuel consumption. The weekly charge increases to £12 for two polls per day and £15 for five polls.

Walker has teamed up with telematics specialist Cybit to deliver the tracking, reporting and communications functions, rather than going in-house and adopting the Dynafleet telematics offering from BRS's parent company, Volvo. Apparently it took this path partly to deflect any accusations that the tracking package might be primarily a marketing tool for Dynafleet.

He is also vehemently dismissive of suggestions that BRS's tracking initiative is more about getting tougher on in-service damage or abuse than on delivering operator benefits. "It is true that years ago damage claims were a big revenue-earner for rental companies, often compensating for unrealistic rental rates. But that's not been the case at BRS for many years. Fees are now more realistic and transparent, and we work with our customers to ensure both get a fair deal."

Walker says the Web site has a crucial role in showing operators how the data collected from the vehicles can quickly and easily be turned into useful management material. "Many operators think they will be overwhelmed with data. The Web site will show them how easy it is to use exception reporting to get the information you want, whether it is evidence of when and where vehicles were off-route, when drivers were speeding, or where the congestion hotspots are that will delay deliveries. Armed with that knowledge, you can look at driver training and re-routing vehicles to minimise delays to the schedule."

Management reports for each vehicle can include detailed route and activity data, summary reports on key information, and time sheet information. Reports can be colour-coded to highlight exceptions. For example, pink might indicate idling time; blue will highlight any period when the vehicle was parked. You can play back journeys to check against delivery schedules and you can access real-time traffic information that might indicate potential hold-ups on a planned route.

From September, BRS plans to add driver's hours analysis. "Managing the hours a driver has available is an important part of scheduling. Doing it online simply makes it easier. "

The system knows which vehicles have been allocated to which BRS customers, and to comply with the Data Protection Act, users can only see the data relevant to their hire period. "One of the more complex parts of setting the system up has been limiting access to the vehicle and tracking data reports, so that customers can only view the data relevant to the hire period," says Walker.

Relevant period

"With most systems, you simply download the data from the vehicle and produce the reports for the relevant period. We have had to cross-reference it against the customer record database to make sure our customers don't see data relating to a time when the vehicle was with another haulier. For our own purposes, of course, we need all the vehicle data. "

Data collected from a vehicle is automatically related to the operator's password to speed up data transfer and activities such as zooming in and out on vehicle locations. If data from the entire BRS fleet had to be processed it would slow down the process, explains Walker, and lead to frustration and disillusionment with the system.

He says there are two other factors he expects to drive demand for vehicle tracking. "It is increasingly a condition for obtaining goods-in-transit insurance," he says, "and under health and safety regulations, employers now have the same duty of care to mobile workers as they do to office staff. Fitting a panic button in the cab, whether to cater for a medical emergency or a hijack, gives the driver greater protection."

BRS might eventually add more functionality, says Walker, including geofencing, real-time traffic updates and re-routing. "For now, however, we are following our own philosophy: keep it simple."