QUARTIX LTD |
A “planned” journey implies a safer journey, not least because planning, in a fleet context, requires consideration of safety issues including vehicle and traffic conditions and driver hours – add to these the soon-to-be expected rolling out of government “road pricing” initiatives and the value of journey planning escalates further.
| “Enhanced business capacity and customer service are among the system’s many other widely-reported benefits” |
Here, we look at the ways in which an advanced vehicle tracking system, such as the award-winning Quartix real-time tracking solution, can be the fleet manager’s ally. The internet-based Quartix service enables live-tracking of the mobile workforce and is chosen by around 1,000 UK fleets to hone efficiency and assist with compliance to duty-of care responsibilities. Enhanced business capacity and customer service are among the system’s many other widely-reported benefits. Intrinsic to the managed service is the regular delivery of e-mailed tracking logs detailing key management information, including details of mileage, fuel usage, shift times, driving time and maximum speeds. The logs are also readily accessible on-line.
The data recorded matches the type required to calculate road usage under the anticipated “road pricing” legislation – rendering the system an invaluable aid to the logistical planning process. Here are some of the main issues to be considered in planning a commercial journey.
Is the journey really necessary?
The versatile Quartix weekly route chart is of particular value to fleets operating from multiple depots. All fleet movements from the previous week are summarised on a single map-screen, to be viewed individually or collectively. Fleet vehicles can be grouped according to depot, type or load and are colour-differentiated for easy identification and to help eliminate instances of journey overlap and duplication. This essential facility can be used to raise the bottom line and reduce traffic volume on the roads.
Should the journey occur within a particular area/zone?
Using a geofencing option, it is possible to set up zones of any size or complexity, within which fleet vehicles are required to operate during specified periods. Notification is sent by e-mail as soon as a boundary is breached.
Which is the best route?
 View real-time positioning of the mobile workforce from any on-line PC |
Should an urgent delivery or service call arise, staff can easily view live mobile workforce positioning and constantly updating tracking logs from any on-line PC, via a secure Quartix website. The urgent call can be rapidly allocated to a driver on a “closest-proximity” basis – resulting in enhanced customer service.
While the system is highly compatible with popular satellite navigation equipment, many subscribers have found that they can dispense with the need for a separate satellite navigation provision by using the Quartix zoom in/out map facility to direct drivers to new sites or delivery stops by the shortest route. Previous journey reports can be analysed to establish whether the usual route is the best and reports can be printed off as guides for new drivers.
Is the vehicle safe?
To promote driver safety, not to mention that of other road users, the vehicle selected for the journey must of course be legal and roadworthy. Highly-accurate tracking logs provide an audit trail for each fleet vehicle from which servicing and maintenance schedules can be planned in advance. Efficient planning allows many subscribers to minimise vehicle downtime, thus maximising productivity.
Quartix provides monthly summary reports that allow analysis of the percentage usage of individual vehicles, by three selectable criteria: time away from base, travelling time and total time from vehicle’s first to last daily use. This analysis can be used to inform management decisions on issues such as re-allocation of vehicles between depots, overall fleet streamlining, or deferring purchase of new vehicles until all existing vans are being used to capacity.
Is your driver ”at risk” or over-committed?
Analysis of historical tracking records will highlight those drivers who are placing themselves and other road users at risk by frequent speeding and may be candidates for further training. Managers can compare “before” and “after” records as a useful means of evaluating the success of driver training programmes.
Drivers and crew of vehicles large enough to require a tachometer are now classed as “mobile workers” under the Road Transport Working Time Regulations (2005), based on the European Road Transport Directive (RTD), and can no longer opt out of a legally-stated, 48-hour average working week (over a 17 week rolling period), with no more than 60 hours to be worked in a single week. The legislation carries future implications for all employed drivers.
The RTD, 2005 definition of Working Time (hence chargeable time), is “the sum of employee driving and stationary hours, minus the summed total of break-time, periods of availability and time spent travelling to and from work.” The new legislation differentiates driving time from working time and places ultimate responsibility on employers to ensure that mobile employees don’t work or drive too long and to provide records (more detailed than tacho records) retainable for a minimum two-year period against possible inspection by the legislative enforcing agency, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.
| “Quartix tracking logs allow driver hours to be accurately tallied” |
Quartix tracking logs allow driver hours to be accurately tallied. However an RTD-extended reporting facility is also available to help companies meet the new legislative demands with maximum efficiency. The extended facility can be easily set up, amended or cancelled by e-mail and includes many user-friendly features, such as tick box settings and colour-differentiated data, with daily RTD-specific details recorded on blue-background columns.
This facility benefits fleet managers by providing comprehensive, high-quality health and safety records for all classified “mobile employees’’, offering proof that drivers and other mobile workers are taking required breaks and not facing unreasonable driving pressure in the course of the working day. The system also provides records to match the European Working Time Directive regulations relating to those employed drivers who are not classified as mobile workers and therefore remain subject to the original legislation – embodied in UK law since 1998.
What is the expected duration of the journey?
Historical tracking logs provide data on journey number and time, maximum and average speeds, together with fuel consumption. At the planning stage, it is possible to phone or e-mail the Quartix team to request analysis of tracking data exported from previous journeys to show typical speeds of fleet vehicles on nominated road stretches at specific times of day or night, to help arrive at a “best estimate’’ of journey duration.
What about congestion?
To enhance safety and reduce driver stress, journeys should ideally be planned for off-peak travel times, when traffic volume is lower – off-peak journeys will also attract lower tariffs under future road pricing plans. Quartix constantlyupdating, on-line tracking logs can be used to pinpoint vehicles caught in congested areas, which can be useful for providing clients with advance warning of expected delays. For journeys planned in the London area, a geofencing “rule-associated’’ zone can be set up, whereby an e-mail alert is sent if a fleet van breaches the Congestion Zone boundary.
The finishing touch . . .
Why not impress clients by issuing a copy of the journey tracking log as proof that all charges have been made as quoted, with no deviations from the agreed route?
See how Quartix can help you
Ken Oliver, Transport Manager at York House Construction in Darlington says: ‘‘Quartix is so customerorientated and the tracking system so versatile that it’s well worth taking up the option of a month’s trial to see what the system can offer your fleet.’’
For an on-line demonstration or system trial, contact: Tel: 0870 013 6663 - Website: www.quartix.net
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content of this article, readers are advised to seek professional/legal advice should any further clarification be required. Quartix and the publishers cannot be held responsible for any claims arising from actions taken as a result of information taken from this article.
