Telematics Flashcards
4.1.1 What are vehicle fleet telematics? (p.118)
• Combination of computer, IT infrastructure, wireless technology, and Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) to provide vehicle tracking and location.
• There is an option to connect to the vehicle engine bus or Engine Control Module (ECM).
• There are options for sensor inputs such as Power Take Off (PTO) and integration with peripherals such as Garmin navigation device, display terminals, cell phones, tablets, etc.
4.2 Technology solution components / In-vehicle device or vehicle centric hardware:
- Consists of wireless hardware with antenna
- Note that for vehicle telematics, the hardware is usually dedicated and installed within the vehicle. Connection to the ECM is optional
- Includes the GPS receiver
- Instead of a dedicated telematics device, it might be a laptop with wireless connectivity
- Instead of a dedicated telematics device, it might be a smartphoneequipped with GPS
4.2 Technology solution components / GPS * Global Positioning Satelites
- Provides latitude, longitude, time stamp and direction of travel for vehicle location information
- The GPS data service is free-of-charge and the satellite coverage is relatively ubiquitous over land and sea
- GPS receiver cost is included in the hardware price
4.2 Technology solution components / Wireless network
- Wireless network for data transmission is often the carrier wireless data network
- However, it can also be a Wi-Fi hotspot or the satellite communications network in remote area
4.2 Technology solution components / Server and database IT infrastructure
- Server and database IT infrastructure for data processing geocoding to convert latitude and longitude into a street address, presentation layer for
reports, vehicle tracking on a map and so on. - IT infrastructure may reside in the customer’s environment or may be served out as Software- as-a-Service (SaaS) by the telematics supplier
4.2 Technology solution components / Customer’s environment
- Customer’s environment in which the telematics applications can be accessed via a computer by authorized users / Reports / May be integrated systems
4.2.1 Give some examples of in vehicle telematics devices. (p.118-119)
- Includes the GPS receiver
- Instead of a dedicated telematics device, it might be a laptop with wireless connectivity
- Instead of a dedicated telematics device, it might be a smartphoneequipped with GPS
4.2.2 What types of information can be provided through GPS? (p.119)
Provides latitude, longitude, time stamp and direction of travel for vehicle location information
4.3.1 What does the accuracy of the GPS location calculated depend on? (p.120)
The accuracy of the position calculated depends on the number of satellites in view and the dispersion of their angles relative to the receiver
- Signals from several widely spread satellites provides a more accurate estimate of geographic position
4.3.2 What is the minimum number of satellites needed to determine the location of a receiver? (p.120)
- A minimum of four satellites must be visible to the receiver to determine its geographic position
4.3.3 What is a differential correction system? (p.120)
- If greater accuracy is necessary, a system called differential correction can be used.
- Requires a second receiver tuned to the signal of a stationary base station on the ground even if relayed by communications satellite
- A correction factor to the known, surveyed point can be computed to improve the GPS location determined by using the satellites
- The use of a base station signal eliminates the inaccuracies introduced by the various layers of the atmosphere (e.g., ionosphere and troposphere), signal noise, clock drift, and other sources that affect the satellite signals
4.4 Use cases and benefits
- There are numerous uses and benefits of telematics and customers have unique requirements which lead to multiple variations in the implementation
4.4.1 What are the three categories of telematics uses that are typical in a fleet environment?(p.122-123)
- Vehicle Fleet Management
- Driver Safety
- Location Based Dispatching
4.4.2 How might the use of telematics benefit the capturing for Vehicle Fleet Management (p.122)
Automatic Odometer input
Idling Reduction
Fuel Reduction
Vehice Utilization
Data Trouble Codes
Theft Recovery
4.4.2 How might the use of telematics benefit the capturing for Driver Safety (p.122)
Driving Habits
Visual / Audio indicator to provide feedback to Driver
Compline w/ ligislated requirements
Info for coaching
Location known in case of Accident
4.4.2 How might the use of telematics benefit the capturing for Location Based Dispatching (p.122)
Vehicle Location integrated with dispatching system
Algorithm includes skillis & location to dispatch technician
Useful Dynamic Dispatching
Useful for Emergencies
4.4.3 What are the benefits of using telematics over paper based pre trip inspection forms? (p.123)
Integrate with Smartphone contaiiing special forms and signature capure / Forms can be printed / Exceptions flagged
4.4.4 What are the advantages to using telematics in order to help dispatch fleet drivers? (p.123)
Integrates GPS location with field work force Management / Dispatchers can “area search” / Redection in distance / better productivity
4.5.1 What are some challenges that should be considered at the beginning of the procurement process?(p.123-124)
- There are many telematics vendors in U.S.A., Canada and Europe. Several of theseare small/mid-sized companies and held privately.
- They often partner with niche system integrators and with wireless carriers
- The off-the-shelf hardware is application agnostic which means that the hardware can be made to work with any telematics software application.
4.5.2 What is a feasibility study and why is it done? (p.124)
- The feasibility study is done to assess benefits versus cost or the Return on Investment (ROI) of:
- Telematics organizational readiness
- The requirements for success including HR considerations, labor union alignment, business process changes
- Implementation timeline and resource
4.5.3 Why is an executive champion needed during the procurement process? (p.124)
- An executive champion is needed for overcoming organizational challenges / change management leadership / for the budget allocation.