Satellites come down to earth
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by Toby Clark • Marconi has launched StarTrack a fleet control system which combines satellite-based vehicle location with two-way communication between vehicle and base. It is designed for operators in distribution, public transport, field operations and emergency services.
An on-board satellite location system and computer communicates with the base station computer which can process and display information from several hundred vehicles.
Each vehicle's GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver offers accuracy to within 30m. Its computer can be linked to the engine management system. ABS, tachograph, alarms, refrig
eration systems or a data terminal in the cab. Information am be retained in the computer's memory or sent direct to base.
The base station computer is equipped with digital map displays, scheduling and routeing packages, and fleet management software. Marconi demonstrated the system to CM last week, showing how a vehicle can be tracked along a road (shown on an AA map) with its speed displayed alongside.
The system is "event-driven": the fleet manager defines conditions which will trigger the computer to record data, raise the alarm or transmit information to the vehicle—such as a command to immobilise the engine. At its most basic, the computer can sig
nal when a vehicle enters a predetermined area.
Fleet management software can be used to analyse travelling and waiting times to optimise routes and schedules; the system is also a potential "spy in the cab", to check on drivers.
The system can communicate with base via the cellular phone network, but larger fleets could use private mobile radio or satellite communications.
The on-board set-up, which is little larger than a car radio, costs less than £1,500; the base station costs around £15,000 depending on the configuration required.
Marconi also demonstrated Tele-Tag, a complementary sys tem for monitoring the movement of vehicles, trailers, containers or plant. Each item is fitted with a self-contained "tag"— about the size of a cassette—which is read by an interrogator unit mounted, for instance, at a depot entrance or on a tractor. Tags cost about £30 and have a three-year life.
Both Star-Track and Tele-Tag have potential for tracking stolen vehicles, but neither system is intended for that purpose.