Truck tracking system pays

By RICHARD WOOD

McDowall Freight has tested a vehicle management system which aims to reduce road-user charges, improve driving habits and prevent misuse of vehicles.

Developed by Tait subsidiary Wirelessdata, the Trakd system wirelessly reports to base how well a driver drives and his or her route.

It came on the market late last month, but McDowall Freight has had it for six months.

Radio links connect the firm's base office with 14 trucks so far; eventually it will be 20.

National operations manager John Bower said McDowall expected savings of $500 and $1000 a month.

The Trakd system can measure every facet of operation, including turning the ignition key, opening doors, changing trailers, bumping, speed and fuel use. After-hours use of vehicles can also be monitored.

At the heart of the system is an intelligent controller which gathers the information and which can be configured remotely. The Trakd system is hardwired into a truck and works with a Global Positioning System to pinpoint its location.

Bower said drivers' habits and maintaining the freight services timetable had improved.

"We've slowed vehicles down, but they get from A to B quicker."

The system can also automatically track when road-user charges do not need to be paid, such as at wharfs and farms. Trakd can use Telecom's CDMA or Vodafone's GPRS networks as well as radio links.

Map software back at base shows operators where a vehicle is at any time. They can call up routes taken and can identify the area a vehicle is expected to be within. Drivers can send messages to base and receive them in the truck by using the system's optional display terminal or a mini keyboard.

Monitoring software includes an automatic alarm system to note driver activity such as any departure from a zone, breaking speed limits, and excessive engine revving while stationary.

Summary reports include alarm history, driver grading, trips taken and vehicle configuration.

Bower said McDowall drivers received a grading report once a week.

"We're careful to say it isn't Big Brother because, in essence, the drivers want the company to do well, too," he said. "It is done as a positive thing."

Auckland-based Wirelessdata has 20 staff and was bought by Tait two years ago.