Learn How Telematics and The Internet of Things to Better Manage Your Fleet

Introduction

Telematics and the Internet of Things collect streamlined data across entire fleets. IoT sensors can be seamlessly integrated into a fleet management platform. It would then mine and sort relevant data more quickly and efficiently. This also gives you near-real-time visibility into key metrics like fuel consumption, engine status, vehicle location, driver behavior, and vehicle maintenance history, etc.

Telematics

Telematics is a method of tracking vehicles and other assets using GPS technology. It uses onboard diagnostics to create a computerized map of their movements. Telematics is also known as fleet tracking or GPS vehicle tracking. It has become a necessary tool for many commercial and government fleets.

The vehicle's telematics device retrieves data such as GPS position, speed, engine information, etc.

A built-in accelerometer in the device measures G-force. The data is then sent to the cloud by the telematics device.

A telematics device & connected hardware/sensors process and analyze a large amount of data.

For reporting and analysis, the data is decoded and imported into the fleet management software app. Users can also view and export reports. It helps them gain business intelligence with the software. It can also create reports such as the top 10 drivers with the most speeding incidents or vehicles that are due for scheduled maintenance.

Data analytics and machine learning can help you make more sense of your telematics data. For example, fleets can use benchmarking to see how their fleet compares to other similar fleets in safety or to see if their routes are well-structured.

Advantages of Telematics
- Easy Navigation
- Safety
- Performance of the Vehicle
- Visibility of the Vehicle
- Access to the Internet
- Reducing the Administrative Costs
How Do Telematics and the Internet of Things Systems Manage Vehicle Fleets?
- Tracking of vehicles
- Tracking trailers and assets
- Improvements to the maintenance
- Keeping track of safety
- Risk assessment for insurance
Telematics and the Internet of Things in Fleet Management: Use Cases
- Management of Drivers
- Maintenance of the Fleet
- Cargo and Asset Management
- Vehicle Monitoring
- Information for Passengers

Advantages of Telematics

Telematics is a concept that has been around for a long time in the automotive industry. It had been around since 1996. But, due to high infrastructure setup costs and a lack of consumer demand, it remained an untapped technology at the time. Now, the growing popularity of vehicle connectivity has breathed new life into telematics.

The following are some of the key advantages of telematics implementation:

Easy Navigation

Turn-by-turn navigation helps drivers get to their destinations quickly. When drivers have access to the shortest routes to their destinations, they can save money on gas.

Safety

Telematics devices collect safety-related data. This data can be 911 calls, emergency requests, stolen vehicle tracking, and so on. It can provide timely help to vehicle occupants. Telematics also collects information on driving habits such as hard braking, acceleration, etc.
This data can help to educate drivers to keep them safe on the road.

Performance of the Vehicle

The telematics system provides users with important vehicle health reports. For fleet managers, this information is very useful. It allows them to plan vehicle maintenance as needed.

Visibility of the Vehicle

Telematics gives businesses the ability to track the location of their vehicles. The vehicle location data can help fleet managers to make timely route adjustments. Thus they can respond to traffic congestion, weather conditions, and other factors. This allows them to shift resources around and ensure that deliveries are not delayed.

Access to the Internet

The drivers can access Live weather forecasts, news bulletins, and even information from social networking apps. These are available to the driver and passengers in the vehicle.

Reducing the Administrative Costs

Telematics devices can be integrated with third-party apps. These apps generate various types of reports, making administration and compliance easier.

How Do Telematics and the Internet of Things Systems Manage Vehicle Fleets?

Tracking of vehicles

GPS satellites and receivers, GPRS networks, and cloud computing help to track vehicles. A GPS receiver receives data from GPS satellites. It then processes it for use in applications such as GPS navigation systems for drivers. It also sends that data via GPRS to office-based staff's web servers. At the office, the data helps to dispatch the nearest driver to a new job.

Tracking trailers and assets

Trailers and other non-motorized assets can be fitted with GPS trackers to ensure they don't go missing. This also helps the drivers in finding their route directly to stationary trailers. When unhitching a trailer, drivers can mark locations in their GPS unit. These coordinates can be easily passed on, allowing them to route to the trailer. Moreover, the system also provides configuration to send an immediate alert to a manager's mobile device if a trailer or asset moves without permission.

Improvements to the maintenance

Fleet telematics can track hours-of-use records and schedule preventative maintenance. Also, it keeps track of warranty recovery, engine hour tracking, and service records tracking. It also can help improve vehicle maintenance and asset lifecycle management. Staying on top of engine diagnostics, such as battery voltage, coolant temperature, powertrain malfunctions, intake valve issues, oxygen sensor problems, and more, is necessary. It helps fleet managers save money and keep vehicles in safe operating conditions.

Keeping track of safety

Fleet telematics can help managers to keep track of vehicle speed and location. It also gives data on harsh driving events and seat belt usage. Moreover, telematics creates a digital blueprint of every aspect of a vehicle's operation. It also helps fleet managers to see where accident prevention and driver safety standards need improvement.

Risk assessment for insurance

Telematics can help insurance companies to track driver behavior. It also allows them to determine risk factors better and adjust insurance premiums accordingly. Moreover, telematics devices can also report when a vehicle is outside of a geofence, which is a defined area.

Telematics and the Internet of Things in Fleet Management: Use Cases

IoT-enabled telematics can help with a variety of fleet management scenarios. Fleet managers can feel more confident. These tools also help protect and manage vehicles, assets, and employees efficiently. Whether it's for predictive maintenance or fleet operation, telematics is useful to the management.

Management of Drivers

Blind-spot assistance and backup cameras are examples of advanced driver management systems. They can alert drivers about objects blocking the road, people crossing the street or other vehicles. Drivers can be alerted and advised to stop and rest using in-cabin cameras.

Data from video cameras help in the event of an accident.

Computer vision also aids in the detection of drowsiness and distraction in drivers. These applications send near-real-time notifications to control center operators about a driver's condition.

Maintenance of the Fleet

Sensors inside the vehicle detect when it's time for vehicle servicing. This includes oil change, brake pads, replacing an old battery, or rotating the tires. This allows maintenance crews to address any issues before they become a problem.

It also aids in the prevention of damaged motors, faulty brakes, dead and old batteries, and less-tractable tires. All of which result in higher costs. Moreover, predictive maintenance can also help you save money by increasing your fuel efficiency.

Cargo and Asset Management

In supply chain and logistics, telematics plays a significant role. Cargo is kept safe during transportation with temperature control, surveillance, and vibration sensors. Food, medications, and other perishables are kept fresh and edible by monitoring and maintaining a set temperature in a vehicle's cargo hold.

Operators can ensure exactly what should be on the truck and in what order. They can also use cameras and sensors to survey cargo both inside and outside the vehicle. This also confirms whether any cargo has been lost or stolen. Moreover, vibration sensors can keep fragile goods safe. They can prevent them from breaking during transport.

Vehicle Monitoring

Vehicle Monitoring app by Intel AI member viso.ai uses exterior cameras. These cameras detect objects, pedestrians, and other vehicles. This helps vehicles provide a clear view of their surroundings. Also, cameras can record video clips in the event of an accident or for driving instruction.

Information for Passengers

Passenger information systems in buses and other passenger-carrying vehicles can provide Wi-Fi access as well as route and service information. They can let passengers know if there are any social distancing rules they must follow while on board and if there are any wheelchair-accessible seats.

Conclusion

Telematics and Internet of Things rise in the automotive industry has marked a watershed moment in fleet efficiency and safety. The users need to keep an eye on some key trends in the near future as telematics and IOT continue to gain traction.

As the demand for connected platforms grows, telematics systems may look to improve their integration capabilities with other services or software systems. Fleet managers will need a telematics provider that integrates seamlessly with other parts of their business. This would help create a more detailed fleet management system. \

Telematics and the Internet of Things to Better Manage Your Fleet