Oct/Nov 2007

It's rare that systems introduced primarily to ensure compliance with legal obligations result in additional operational benefits, but two companies report that this is exactly they have experienced since deploying Road Tech Computer Systems' Tachomaster Web-based tachograph analysis application.

Tachomaster was developed to help fleets monitor compliance with EU drivers' hours and Working Time Directive rules by combining data from digital cards and analogue charts. That data can provide a wealth of other operational data, including driver on-road performance, vehicle utilisation and driver identification for accident management. In the latest development, it can also distinguish between agency and employed drivers.

CEVA Logistics has found that Tachomaster's real-time management reports have brought significant operational efficiencies. 'We wanted a solution which would merge analogue and digital tachographs' management data into one coherent solution,' says Andy Jenkins, CEVA Logistics' manager for operations training.

'With analogue charts, it used to take two to three weeks before we had the data back. Having the information within hours allows us to highlight regular infringements and deal with them quickly.'

 

As a roadside recovery operator, the AA was previous exempt from tachographs rules, but the law changed in April, and now only vehicles operating within 100km of their base qualify for exemption. The AA felt that this would have a severe impact on its services, so opted to comply with the legislation, and is using the Tachomaster service.

The organisation now issues drivers with their own chart analysers and card readers at home to enable them to determine whether they can work overtime. According to Ian Dumont, recovery operations manager: 'Drivers are interested in being compliant as well, and we want to help them by giving them access to their own data.'