Vehicle tracking helps hauliers manage the winter weather

I noticed just this morning that the frost is now really starting to affect the start to a drivers day. Despite the fact we are only just starting November you could almost smell the de-icer in the air as I left home!

Vehicle trackers can help with managing winter weather

The winter weather has an adverse effect on anyone using the road, whether its ensuring your vehicle is 'winter ready' (covering basics like tyre pressure and battery checks) or altering your journey in order to avoid some of the worst affected roads - there is a lot to consider.

These considerations are doubled when it comes to businesses with vehicles on the road as the safety and hours of drivers must be taken in to account and when you have multiple employees to consider this can be a tall task.

However, for those employers that are already utilising vehicle tracking systems there are lots of ways they can assist with managing these conditions as well as helping with the safety of your employees.

Route alterations are a good example - bad weather can mean road closures, slow traffic and speed restrictions, so using a tracker to monitor and alter the route of a vehicle remotely can be managed more effectively with real time information.

Breakdowns are also an issure with this sort of weather and I often find that it can be harder to manage a breakdown situation at these times. Using a tracking system here means that the vehicle can be located with accuracy - a handy piece of information for recovery companies. Besides this if you are using a communication system as part of your tracker (common in lone worker systems) then the driver will be able to raise the alarm far quicker whatever the time of day or night.

One final consideration is temperature control for the goods on board. As I have mentioned on here before, some trackers will also monitor the temperature of goods that need to be controlled. In adverse weather this can be an extra useful function, allowing remote management of the ambient temperature via the GPRS system.

Asda Logistics Present Awards to Top Hauliers

Asda awarded many of its transportation partners for excellent logistics and haulage services earlier this year. During a ceremony in Leeds, the supermarket giant presented awards to some of its principal logistics suppliers for their work towards environmental concerns and haulage management.

The supermarket chain (part of Wal-Mart Group) has announced that a “bonus pot” of £26 million will also be shared out between distribution employees following last years success.

The haulage industry is becoming more and more competitive and many companies are looking for cost effective solutions that will assist in time management, security and productivity.

Tracking System Example

With an increased demand for shipments being taken internationally as well as most shipments being time critical, tracking systems can be an essential ingredient to improving and managing customer expectations.
Vehicle tracking systems have become more and more popular in recent years, with GPRS technology (General Packet Radio Services) haulage companies can keep on top of their drivers and vehicles with ease, normally using desktop PC for real-time reporting.

The most obvious benefits of using a system such as this include:

• Real time tracking of your vehicles
• Reduced operating costs
• Improved customer service
• Enhanced security of employees and property

Anything can be tracked, including:

• Individual Cargo / shipments
• Vans
• Lorries
• Cars
• Even people!

The systems are not limited geographically – using satellite technology you can still monitor speed, location and other information from vehicles, please and cargo in international locations.

Systems like this can also assist in an emergency situation – giving drivers a “panic” button to press which will alert the necessary office based staff of the situation as well as their location.

Tracking systems for vehicles are also discreet and can be easily fitted to vehicles and cargo – they have a long battery life and can be recharged remotely if required. The equipment is “plug and play” meaning that once they equipment is installed, you turn it on and you are ready to go.

Personal tracking systems are about the size of a mobile phone and are specifically suitable for lone or high security workers and work in a similar way to the vehicle and cargo tracking systems.

If you are looking to purchase or install a tracking system on your own vehicles contact a specialist tracking system supplier who will be able to advise on a system that if best suited to your requirements and budget.