home | media info | archive | supplier guide | registration | jobfinder | events | about us | contact
Driven to distraction
|
3 January 2012 Truck makers’ telematics: make by make rundown In this companion piece to our truckmakers' telematics article, which was published in issue 53 (December 20112), Sharon Clancy runs through some of the key recent developments by truck makers in their own in-house telematics systems
To read main article linked with these roundups, click here. DAF Although DAF is still developing an in-house telematics system, all new DAF CF75, CF85 & XF105 trucks already include a dashboard display showing real-time, trip and average fuel consumption. There is a pop-up actual fuel consumption screen, and an automatic trip information screen appears once the ignition is switched off. Several fuel-related figures can be displayed, including fuel used and fuel consumption l/100 km. This is broken down into consumption when the vehicle is stationery; per hour; averaged over the past 15 minutes; and per trip. 
Daimler The Daimler Fleetboard system is now standard on all new Actros trucks and is optional on the vehicle manufacturer’s other ranges, including Sprinter vans. There is a new 7in in-cab touch screen which includes truck-specific navigation and mapping. Performance reports can be accessed online, or operators can have them emailed. Also new are applications for iPhone and iPads, which allow managers to access data from any location.
Iveco Blue&Me telematics hardware is a key component in Iveco’s guarantee that buyers of its EcoStralis tractor unit will see at least a 4 per cent improvement in fuel economy over three years. According to product director Martin Flach: "Our simulations show that in a typical haulage application the 4 per cent fuel guarantee will more than recoup the additional £3,000 investment required to purchase the EcoStralis over a regular Stralis model." Fleet operators that take up the guarantee will have their EcoStralis trucks monitored in real time to ensure comparisons are fair. "If vehicles start to drop below the required mpg, we will be able to investigate what operational changes have caused it," Flach explains.
MAN  The driver communications module is a useful option that piggybacks driver voice and data communication on the same SIM card used for sending telematics data. The SIM stores any vehicle data in its flash memory until the voice call has ended. The track and trace application includes proof-of-delivery, schedule adherence and trailer tracking.
Renault Renault’s Infomax is part of its Optifuel fuel-saving programme. It collects and analyses data on fuel and encourages economical driving programmes, and also allows you to compare routes and vehicles.
Scania Scania’s Communicator 200 telematics black box automatically collects vehicle telemetry data and supports wireless download of driver card and digital tachograph data. There are three levels of reporting. The Monitoring package gives a basic fleet overview with general performance indication at vehicle level showing trends and deviations compared to the last analysis period. The report is emailed to the customer weekly, monthly and yearly. The Analysis package takes things a step further, providing access to Scania’s Fleet Management Portal, where operators can drill down for more detailed analysis of vehicles and drivers. Reports are presented in traffic-light style, and include exception reports and maintenance planning. The control package includes real-time location, vehicle tracking, geofencing and alarms.
Volvo 
|