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Fulfurti
Schmitz Cargobull has a trailer telematics system that tracks loads rather than vehicles Is it a true trailblazer — or a case of the tail
wagging the dog? Robin Meczes reports.
Think telematics and the chances are you'll find yourself contemplating the many benefits of vehicle tracking. But while there's much to he said for tracking vehicles— knowing where each one is, what its doing and what your driver has been up to— there's a growing contingent in the marketplace who are more interested in tracking loads.
Tracking vehicles and loads may effectively be one and the same if you're running a fleet of rigids. But those with tractor/trailer combinations would be well advised to consider which half of their assets are most worth monitoring, according to Karl-Heinz Neu, Nil) of Cargobull Telematics.The firm was set up by Schmitz Cargobull's German parent in January 2005 to market its new trailer tracking system. "Most customers automatically think about truck telematics rather than trailer telematics. and the market for trailer telematics is still very young,"says Neu."But as users become more knowledgeable about the technology, the more they can decide what systems and solutions will be best for them. I think that in time, trailer tracking systems could become more popular than truck telematics systems. 'If you think about what vehicle operators' customers want, it's often about load security, or just-in-time delivery of loads, or even, ii case of temperature-controlled loads. son kind of temperature-monitoring capabilii this means that gradually information on loads. rather than host vehicles, is becomir more important," he adds.
Real time or history Cargohull's telematics system. launched a IAA Show in 2004, enables trailers lobe located in real time or historically via G1=', also allows users to monitor load tempera trailer door openings and a whole raft of c trailer-specific information such as: • Refrigeration equipment condition an operating hours • lithe trailer is hooked up to a tractor lir • EBS status • Total miles run (with and without a load • Axle loadings • Trailer tyre pressures • Brake pad wear • Service intervals Data is automatically collected by the system at pre-determined intervals and uploaded to a website for users to view via variety of reporting options.
Among the many benefits. says Neu.is t users can automatically be alerted when servicing is due:something many trailer fleet managers find difficult to keep track of. "The problem, particularly with big fleets, is that vehicles often don't come back to base for long periods of time,so the service interval monitoring can he very useful.And you want the driver to know if the tyre pressures are low or if the service brake pads need changing."
Texts, mobiles and e-mails
The various alerts are delivered via SMS (text message) to a mobile phone or as an e-mail, Users can even decide to use a combination of SMS and e-mail alerts to advise several recipients at once of specific data.
-You could, for example. set things up so a tyre pressure alert went both to the fleet manager and the driver, and also to the workshop which could then schedule the vehicle in for an inspection," says Neu. Keeping drivers in the loop is as simple as adding their mobile phone details to the list of recipients, he adds.
The temperature-monitoring capability alone could prevent the loss of a valuable load. Neu suggests. Not only can the system be set up to warn both driver and base if the load temperature drops below a certain point, allowing faster decisions about what action to take, but managers can also see immediately if drivers switch refrigeration equipment offfor example to get a better night's sleep. Temperature monitoring will also provide a useful backup to standard temperature loggers, which can fail.
Once installed the system is out of sight (the black box is secured with tamper-proof screws under the floor of the trailer near the landing legs and the cables are run through a channel in the trailer's composite floor panels) so it can also double as a stolen-trailer recovery unit.
Power is provided via a standard automotive rechargeable battery that can operate down to 45C° and is automatically recharged when the trailer is fitted to a vehicle. When unattached it can last for weeks on end depending on the amount of use it gets.
-If you're pinging the trailer every 15 minutes for a temperature reading you'll probably only get about three weeks out of it,says Neu."13ut if you're just looking for positional information or a couple of pings a day it'll be more like 10."
Age is no bar
The system hardware has been supplied by Blaupunkt, while the back-office database and communications are provided by T-Systems in GermanyThe system can be fitted to any trailer of any age, making it suitable for use across a mixed fleet.
To date it has been fitted to 80 trailers, 50 of them with Frans Maas alone, and a number of improvements are already in the pipeline.
For example, the use of SMS for sending alerts to mobile phones is being superseded by GPRS, following widespread field trials around Europe.A Is° being contemplated is the launch of a handheld solution of some sort for drivers; this has been tentatively scheduled for the next IAA Show.
Perhaps most interesting of all, however, is a plan to cater for integration with the host vehicle's CAN-has, allowing the Cargobull system to gather and transmit data about the tractor unit at the same time as the trailer.This is likely to be achieved via the handheld device in some way, says Neu. but it could take time to come to fruition.
"There are some issues about the different technologies communicating with each other and some of the vehicle OEMs aren't too interested in talking to us about it just yet,he explains."But I think perhaps we'll see this in a year or two." •