In vehicle monitoring systems (IVMS) are small electronic devices which can remotely track and relay driving data from a vehicle.
IVMS’s work through a combination of different technologies, including GPS, accelerometers, and electrical signals from the vehicle itself, allowing information about a vehicle and how it’s driven to be recorded and reviewed.
This data can be reviewed in real-time or at a later date, giving business and fleet owners the ability to improve operations, leading to safer and more efficient driving.
Vehicle monitoring systems can offer a range of benefits including improved driver safety and reduced costs. These benefits are useful for owners of large vehicle-fleets and can help to improve a business’ efficiency and productivity.
Here are some of the benefits of using IVMS:
Keep Track of Vehicle Fleet
GPS positioning can help you to monitor the location of your vehicle fleet in real-time, allowing you to better manage and navigate efficient routes.
Data can be tracked actively or passively, meaning that it can be transmitted and reviewed immediately or stored and accessed for later.
Distance traveled by a vehicle and its fuel consumption can also be monitored and assessed, allowing fleet owners to optimize their operations and improve driver efficiency.
IVMS can also help to improve security as you’ll be able to monitor vehicle location at all times, even following a theft.
Monitor Safety
In Australia, two out of three workplace fatalities involve vehicles. An IVMS can help to keep drivers safe by ensuring they are taking the correct safety precautions.
A properly configured IVMS has a range of tools available to improve driver safety, including vehicle speed and seat belt use monitors.
Industries such as mining or agriculture may have a higher rate of vehicle injury and can benefit from additional IVMS features. An IVMS can detect when a vehicle’s handbrake or off-road (4×4) capabilities are engaged.
As this can mean that dangerous or unapproved driving methods are occurring, IVMS can report whether drivers are following safe driving regulations.
IVMS are also able to detect impact and rollover of a vehicle, so that if an accident occurs you’ll be able to send help immediately. This can be a lifesaving feature, particularly in remote areas.
Improve Productivity
Tracking the speed and location of your vehicles with IVMS can help to maximize your drivers’ efficiency and improve your business’ response time.
Data collected from real driving scenarios can help you to develop more informed navigation strategies, as well as help drivers avoid live issues on the road.
Different drivers can also be identified through the IVMS, using techniques such as PIN codes or specialized RFID cards. This can ensure that the vehicle is only operated by a registered user and does not get used for any unintended or unapproved purposes.
Emerging technology can also allow the driver’s mobile phone to be integrated into the IVMS, allowing tracking of calls, text and web use. This can help drivers to stay on task and assists in recording important call data from clients and customers.
Reduce Costs
Accelerometers in IVMS can monitor ‘harsh events’ such as rapid acceleration and deceleration. This can encourage drivers to drive more conservatively and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle’s brake pads, discs, and engine.
Periods of excessive engine idling and high RPMs can also be recorded and may be indications of unsafe or inefficient driving.
Encouraging safer driving under the speed limit can help to lower fuel consumption and can significantly reduce costs over an entire fleet.
Many insurance companies will also offer reduced premiums to businesses that use IVMS. This is because IVMS can improve safety and reduce the likelihood of a claim, as well as report reliably if an accident were to occur on the road.
For the best results, in vehicle monitoring systems can be used as part of a wider business fleet strategy including training and reporting. This will ensure that the right rules are followed and help to improve overall operations.