Telematics stems from a combination of telecommunications and informatics, and by joining these two sciences telematics was made. Telematics includes the internet, Telecommunications includes phone lines, cables, etc. Informatics which are computer systems are both used to make telematics what they are today. It is mostly used to be applied to vehicle telematics where the system can give location information to company applications. (Connect, 2018)
Telematics — The early days
Telematics developed alongside the internet. As computers changed over the years and became smaller and more in size the need for an easy way to exchange data grew. This is where telecommunication technology started to connect computers ad telematics. Computer processors have become smaller and global while telecommunications have become more widespread around the world regardless of location as its GPS units that can be on-board computers on vehicles and can be located everywhere. (Connect, 2018)
Telematics — Today
Now a day there is no limit to what telematics on what in can do in the transport industry. They are making new ways to use location-based information and it is being developed constantly. Modern-day fleets are utilising the fleet management software to help coordinate the fleets that they manage. These modern-day systems can keep recordings of location of the vehicle, the fuel consumption as well as the speed of vehicles all from a central dashboard. Fleet manager’s fleet, checking the overall health, profitability, and productivity of the fleet.
Telematics — the future
Vehicle telematics is poised to keeping growing as computer applications are made to take advantage of growing GPS units and widespread use of tablets, mobiles. future of telematics will depend largely on the needs of fleet owners who continuously look at ways to reduce cost and to max productivity and profitability. Vehicle manufactures are highly likely to capitalise from this as they will install OEM telematics solutions as smarts cars are being developed to get better results in customer satisfaction. (Connect, 2018)
Key Devices used in Telematics
Some different applications of a vehicle telematics system include:
Vehicle tracking – which uses GPS satellites, GPRS networks and cloud settings.
Trailer Tracking – long haul fleets use GPS trackers to articulated trailers to make sure trailers don’t go missing as well as guide drivers on where trailers are to be picked up.
Insurance risk assessment – Insurance companies use telematics to monitor driver behaviour which allows them to get a more accurate risk assessment in the case of an accident.
(Connect, 2018)
Route planning
Why Route Planning is Important for Your Business
All journeys need to include route planning. The transport managers office are required to create route plans so that they can identify possible hazards along the route as well as provide guide dance of each hazard identified. These route plans would also include details of emergency service supports along the route as well as safe rest areas. A preferred route must be planned as well to avoid delays as there is no need to be taking articulated trucks down small country roads if there is a safer alternative route. It is also important to identify routes/areas that should not be travelled to avoid delays that could affect customer satisfaction. Another aspect to be taken into account when doing route planning is checking what drivers shifts start and finish at and what trucks are available at what times.
