Heavy Vehicle Tracking System Solutions for Your Business
Managing a fleet of heavy commercial vehicles presents several challenges. Fleet coordinators must always be aware of key factors, such as what drivers get up to daily, vehicle performance, fuel usage, and whether deliveries arrive on time. In a fast-paced and competitive environment like the transport and logistics industry, efficient fleet management is crucial.
To combat these challenges, fleet businesses must invest in comprehensive vehicle tracking solutions that specifically cater to heavy vehicles, as the level of care required for such vehicles is unlike that of others.
Let’s explore what it takes to manage a fleet of heavy vehicles and identify the essential tracking solutions for such operations.
How do companies track their trucks?
Most trucking companies use a fleet management system to monitor their trucks. With the system comes a form of tracking that goes beyond knowing where the vehicles are. A fleet management system provides advanced tools that offer insight into vehicle health, efficient route planning, driver safety, and overall operational expenses. We delve deeper into how it works later in this article, so read on.
What system is most widely used for heavy vehicle tracking?
At the heart of most vehicle tracking systems are powerful technologies, including the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and telematics. When integrated, these smart tools become the three core components of vehicle tracking.
In simple terms, here’s how they work:
- The GPS tells you where the vehicle is.
- Using mobile networks, the GSM transmits information about what’s happening and sends it out.
- The telematics system brings together GPS, GSM, and several other technologies to process and integrate all this data for fleet managers to utilise effectively.
The information gathered from this system is what makes vehicle tracking essential for many, if not all, companies in the logistics and transport industry.
Key features to look for in a heavy vehicle tracking system
Here are some of the main features you should look for when looking for vehicle tracking solutions for your fleet:
- Real-time vehicle location: With GPS technology comes the option of passive and active tracking. Passive trackers monitor location data; they only give you access to it once the trip is done. Active trackers, on the other hand, give you live updates so you can keep up with vehicle movements while they are in transit. The tracking service you choose should provide real-time location updates and alerts, showing where vehicles are and how long they’ve been there so that you can identify unnecessary delays, deviations, and potential security threats.
- Driver behaviour monitoring: Driver safety is a non-negotiable factor in fleet management. The business has to ensure that it hires good drivers who will not endanger the lives of others on the road. Driving a truck is not as simple as driving a lightweight vehicle, which makes it more of a risk. For this reason, all vehicles must have a telematics device that can identify harsh driving habits such as speeding, sudden braking, rapid acceleration, and harsh cornering. The system must then provide reports on each vehicle and driver so you, as a fleet manager, can quickly address the matter.
- Fuel usage and cost reporting: Heavy vehicles are known to require more fuel due to the weight they carry. Fuel accounts for one of the most expensive fleet running costs, and as its prices continue rising, a vehicle tracking system with fuel and cost reporting abilities is crucial. Through this, you will be able to identify fuel wastage. The system should be able to determine fuel drainage through key metrics such as kilometres travelled, location, and the amount of fuel that is in the tank. There should also be the option of integrating fuel level sensors with the system to get more accurate fuel updates.
- Route replay: You should be able to access trip histories and replay the journeys. This helps you spot detours and deviations, which further encourages accountability and boosts efficiency.
- Geofencing: A software tool should be available to help you create digital fences around specific zones, allowing you to track when vehicles enter and exit those zones. A geofence works perfectly for the warehouse, where you will receive alerts when trucks enter and leave, providing accurate information on how long it takes to load and offload goods and making it easier to spot time-wasting activities.
- Maintenance and service reminders: Another crucial aspect of fleet operations is maintenance. All vehicles must be properly maintained to prevent unroadworthiness, compliance issues, and unexpected breakdowns.
The real advantages of tracking for heavy vehicle operations
Research from Gitnux reveals that the rapid expansion of the global fleet management market is driven by new advancements in telematics, AI, and sustainability. Some of the key highlights include the following:
- Nearly 80% of fleets report increased efficiency after adopting real-time vehicle tracking.
- Maintenance costs can be reduced by approximately 15-20% with predictive maintenance technology.
- About 78% of fleet managers said driver safety monitoring has improved compliance.
- Fleet operators reported that improving driver behaviour can decrease accident rates by up to 50%.
- Routing optimisation can reduce total distance driven by 10-15%.
- Mobile apps for fleet management have increased productivity by 25% for drivers and managers.
- Nearly 50% of fleet management companies reported an increase in data-driven decision-making.
The statistics presented in this report further demonstrate the significant impact a vehicle tracking system can have on fleet businesses of all kinds and why you need to choose an industry leader, such as Cartrack, to keep your business steps ahead.
Top Cartrack vehicle tracking solutions for your heavy vehicle fleet
To make the choice easier for you, here is an overview of the top solutions we offer for heavy vehicles:
DID tags
Heavy vehicles come in various sizes that are under different licence categories. It is essential that drivers only operate vehicles for which they are qualified. To mitigate this issue, we have driver identification (DID) tags that make it easier for you to know who’s using which vehicle and to prevent unauthorised driving. You have the option to configure the tag to prevent ignition from being switched on if the wrong driver attempts to do so.
Geofence
Create digital fences around designated areas to ensure that drivers stay within their assigned zones and adhere to their schedules. This enhances safety, as you will receive alerts whenever drivers are outside the stipulated areas, which may indicate possible detours or security risks.
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
It is no secret that vehicle theft is a huge concern in our country, and with commercial vehicles, the loss has a ripple effect. It’s more than just the vehicle; it’s the goods in transit that cost a fortune, the clients who are expecting deliveries, and the overall company reputation. With us, you can rest assured that your vehicles are in safe hands.
Our large team of skilled recovery agents is available nationwide and always ready to assist. We have also successfully recovered more than 100,000 stolen vehicles in the past decade. A proven legacy of trust, innovation, and relentless success.
We also know that many companies in the transportation and logistics business have trucks that operate beyond our borders. For this reason, our GPS tracking devices feature international roaming, which allows us to receive a signal from your device locally and across borders. This is a vital value-added service for vehicles travelling out of the country.
Driver behaviour reports
Our telematics systems give you alerts and reports on behaviours such as idling, harsh cornering, and speeding. This ensures that you identify drivers who require additional training. It further reduces the likelihood of accidents that may result in injuries, fatalities, extensive repairs, costly lawsuits, or reputational damage.
AI Cameras
Vehicle tracking also means visibility into driver behaviour through camera technology. A lot can happen on the road, and sometimes you don’t need to hear about it; you actually need to see it yourself.
With Cartrack’s AI Multi Vision camera solutions, you can get up to 8 cameras installed in and around the vehicles. This provides a comprehensive view of what’s happening in and around the vehicles, allowing you to live stream from anywhere. If you spot suspicious activities, you can quickly check up on drivers and ask what’s happening.
The AI-powered cameras from this solution can easily detect when drivers are distracted by various things, such as cellphone use, smoking, or drowsiness. Once detected, the system then sends out audible alerts, allowing drivers to quickly correct their actions.
Route Optimisation
Optimise task prioritisation to boost productivity, cut operational costs, and avoid longer travel times and unnecessary fuel consumption. The Cartrack Route Optimisation feature is an advanced software that helps you plan trips to ensure efficient operations and timely deliveries. It factors in things such as historical traffic patterns and road conditions to provide the best route for drivers to reach their destinations.
Preventative Maintenance
Our preventative maintenance solution will help you keep up with the health of your fleet to avoid unplanned downtime and ensure compliance. It provides real-time alerts of any engine faults, oil and water fluctuations, worn-out brake pads, and other diagnostics. Our systems also provide you with reminders of scheduled service dates, so you don’t miss any.
Streamline your heavy vehicle operations with Cartrack
A vehicle tracking system is a must-have for every fleet business, but choosing one that specifically caters to your business’s needs is pivotal. By partnering with us, you choose a reliable service that has cable tracking solutions for a heavy vehicle fleet. We will ensure that your vehicles are protected, and we provide accurate, real-time data to improve business operations and help you make informed decisions. Contact us today to speak with a fleet consultant.
Frequently Asked Questions about heavy vehicle tracking
How do companies track packages?
Delivery companies first assign a unique barcode or QR code to a package. This code must include all relevant details, such as the delivery address, sender’s information, recipient’s information, and tracking number.
Every time the package reaches a new location, the barcode must be scanned to inform the company and customers of its status. They also use real-time location systems (RTLS), such as GPS, to track delivery in real-time, optimise routes, and analyse distance and travel times.
What is the top tracker system?
Cartrack is regarded as one of the leading vehicle tracking companies. In just over 20 years in the industry, Cartrack has achieved numerous milestones and offers a diverse range of solutions for personal vehicles and fleet businesses.
We also have the highest rating on Hello Peter and were voted The Star’s Best Vehicle Tracking Company for 2023 in the Readers’ Choice Awards.
