Telematics about
Telematics is a technique to remotely monitor vehicles, equipment, and other assets making use of GPS technology to track the movements of assets on an electronic map. Popularly called fleet tracking or GPS vehicle tracking, it is an essential tool in the management of numerous fleets of government and commercial vehicles.
Telematics definition
In its wider sense, telematics is the merging of two sciences – telecommunications and informatics. Nowadays, the term is often applied in management of commercial fleet vehicles.
According to Gartner, Telematics refers to the use of wireless devices and “black box” technologies to transmit data in real time back to an organization. Typically, it’s used in the context of automobiles, whereby installed or after-factory boxes collect and transmit data on vehicle use, maintenance requirements or automotive servicing. It can also provide real-time information on air bag deployments or car crashes and locate stolen vehicles by using GPS technology. In addition, telematics can serve as the platform for usage-based insurance, pay-per-use insurance, pay as you drive (PAYD) insurance, pay how you drive (PHYD) programs for fleet insurance, or teen driving programs for retail business.
Basics of telematics systems
Commercialization of Global Positioning System (GPS) and the internet lays the very foundation of telematics, which makes the satellite location tracking data available for both commercial and private usage. The development of GPS technology has allowed greater accuracy in the location of vehicles and related data also internet and point-to-point communications between machines allowed the collected data to be converted into useful information that could be passed onto the end-user.
Components of telematics systems
Telematics device also known as Black Box is the most important element of a fleet management system. The black device mounted in the fleets can record and transmit vital details about the vehicle as well as its driver to the telematics system, some of information include:
- Drive times
- Driver behavior analytics
- Fuel usage
- GPS location
- Mileage
- Other data related to vehicle utility
- Speed
- Time on location
- Trip recordings
The type of Black Box installed results in the collection of other relevant information about the vehicle. It (Black Box) is very important for claiming insurance in the event of an accident, thus opening another dimension of telematics referred to insurance telematics as it provides additional information:
- engine load
- engine temperature
- cruise control
- use of seatbelt
- vehicle door status (open or close)
Telematics and GPS fleet tracking
Fleet telematics is a collection of information using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology sensors, as well as vehicle engine data to give managers the information they require for fleet management.
- Global Positioning System (GPS) technology provides real-time surveillance of vehicle’s location and speed, as well as movement around the area of interest via geofencing.
- Sensors allow the collection of information on the activities of drivers such as speeding, hard brakes, and unpredictable cornering, however, sensors can be used to track any vehicle-related activity like the opening of doors or tail lift raising, or even temperature changes inside vehicle.
- Engine diagnostics – these tools derive information directly from the car diagnostics system. They data points are used primarily to gather real-time information about fuel efficiency as well as vehicle odometer readings to help drive digital fleet maintenance solutions.
The data is stored temporarily in a telematics device that is installed into fleets; which then transferred via mobile network to the secured servers of the service providers. This central hub of information thus enables the fleet management software to display easy-to-understand visual data that aid fleet managers in optimizing their operations.
GPS tracking and Telematics: Difference
GPS tracking in telematics system allows managers to track their fleet assets at all times, giving them a complete overview of the resources at their disposal. Telematics is not only limited to vehicle tracking as already mentioned it offers many other capabilities. This versatility is the reason why telematics has been so important to fleet management over the past few years. Data points captured by telematics devices include:
- Dashboard camera footage
- Electrical or sensor activity (via PTO)
- Geofencing Data
- Vehicle status (customizable)
- Vehicle speed
- Vehicle location
- Data related to Vehicle Activity (speeding, hard brakes, and unpredictable cornering)
- Vehicle diagnostics (e.g., EPM, MPG, odometer)
- Remote vehicle inspection reports
- Panic alerts
- Job dispatch and messaging
In addition, telematics system combines vehicle maintenance and routing with the driver activities, delivering an all-inclusive solution to the key challenges faced by fleet managers
Vehicles where telematics can be used
Telematics is a multifaceted technology as it can perform a variety of functions and can be used with a wide range of vehicles and assets like:
- Cars: Telematics is used for vehicle maintenance and productivity functions, as well as to track private mileage, ensure safety compliance, and perform important tasks which is an important part of employers’ duty.
- Pickup trucks/cargo vans: These are used for job dispatching and routing, time on site reporting and time sheet reporting. They also provide proof of delivery solutions and allow monitoring of unauthorized vehicle usage and driver behavior.
- It is used to optimize and schedule single axle/tractor units, manage driver hours, and report driver behavior.
- Buses and coaches: Telematics assist with driver hour management, route optimization (including engine idling), fuel management (including driver refueling), integration (such as time of arrival notifications and driver behavior reporting).
- Heavy equipment: Telematics are used in construction for heavy earthmoving equipment. It helps to improve jobsite productivity by tracking equipment usage, enabling preventive maintenance, and reducing fuel use.
- Telematics is widely used for specialist vehicles like dump trucks, tow trucks, cement trucks etc. The technology allows for a better understanding and monitoring of vehicle activity via power take-off.
Telematics’ versatility has made it an integral part of fleet management over the long-term. Already, it has made major improvements in safety, productivity, and profitability. It will only continue to be more important over the next few years. Businesses that incorporate telematics systems in their operations around the globe can expect to reap substantial rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is telematics system?
Telematics is a communicative and informatic technology for the automotive industry based on data flow in and out of vehicles through wireless networks. It's the integration of wireless communication with location technology, in-vehicle electronics that are pushing the automotive industry into the new age of information.
What is integrated telematics?
Integrated telematics provides a more real-time communication between fleet managers and vehicles in which TSP (telematics service supplier) equipment is fitted.
How does a vehicle telematics system work?
Telematics systems function by connecting a device like a GPS tracker, or any other data tool to an asset. The device then gathers important performance information about the asset. After acquiring the data, the device will transmit the data into a central server, where it can be collected to be interpreted and analyzed.
What is the function of telematics?
Telematics gives a digital outline of each aspect of the vehicle's operation and helps fleet managers to understand the areas for improvement in the prevention of accidents and safety standards for drivers.
What are the benefits of telematics?
Telematics solutions are able to integrate with existing systems to allow a wide range of use-cases for fleets with all kinds of sizes, which includes Tracking Vehicles, Asset Tracking, Minimizing Maintenance Cost, Driver Behavior Analytics and Risk assessment for Insurance.
