Added Capabilities Underway For Teletrac’s Turn-By-Turn Automated Navigation System
Real-Time Traffic, Route Attributes Among Key Features
Teletrac, Inc., the developer of Fleet Director®, the leading fully-integrated GPS-based commercial vehicle tracking and fleet management system, has announced it is developing several new options for Fleet Director’s automated navigation product.
Real-Time Traffic Information
Real-time, fully automated, voice communicated traffic information will be available to supplement the voice prompt, real-time, speed-calibrated driving instructions. Powered by NAVTEQ Traffic™, Fleet Director provides routing information based upon high quality sources such as proprietary and government sensors, proprietary incident data, and probe data. Throughout the trip, the system then monitors traffic conditions and automatically contacts the vehicle if a better route develops due to changing traffic conditions. All route calculations are performed by Teletrac-hosted servers from which the information is downloaded to the vehicle. This configuration allows the most current map data to always be available without requiring any customer involvement.
Truck Routing
Within the Fleet Director system, it is also possible to designate whether a vehicle is a Class 8 truck or not. When a Class 8 tractor is assigned a destination, the Fleet Director software then automatically calculates a route taking into account NAVTEQ Transport™ truck attributes such as height, weight and width restrictions and preferred designated “Truck Routes”.
Communication Options
Teletrac is also developing an additional option for destination selection and route loading. At present, the Fleet Director dispatcher assigns the call and implements downloading of the information to the driver. The new option will allow the driver to input the destination information and activate the download. Using a touch screen monitor, the driver simply enters the destination address and then activates the download. Teletrac is also pursuing the development of a similar capability for its in-cab Message Display Terminal.
Productivity, Performance Improves
Teletrac COO Tim Van Cleve explained what the new options will mean to Teletrac customers. He said, “We all know that traffic has a tremendous drag on productivity. Time lost sitting in traffic is expensive in terms of wasted fuel and productive time. By calculating the most efficient route, then making adjustments for traffic delays, many problems can be avoided all together or greatly reduced. This goes a long way in reducing driver frustration and helping improve on-time arrivals to the customers' locations. Our ability to deliver navigation with traffic and truck route attributes, combined with real-time location and status information, 2-way wireless communications, vehicle diagnostics and in-cab HOS data all from a single platform, means we are able to provide customers the ultimate in flexibility to meet their specific needs for fleet management solutions.”
“NAVTEQ is pleased to collaborate with Teletrac on the launch of the enhanced version of Fleet Director”, said Roy Kolstad, vice president and general manager – Enterprise Americas, NAVTEQ. “Fleet Director is a unique solution in that it offers turn-by-turn navigation as well as real-time traffic information and truck attributes. The breadth of traffic and truck-specific routing information offered in Fleet Director will truly revolutionize the way that fleet companies run their business.”
Reduced Fuel Consumption
By knowing each vehicle’s location and status, companies can control and reduce their fuel consumption levels with more efficient dispatching, the monitoring of vehicle speeds and controlling out-of-route miles. Automated navigation, when combined with routing that takes traffic situations into consideration, provides an additional tool to help reduce fuel usage. By routing vehicles around areas where traffic delays routinely occur, and rerouting them when accidents disrupt normal patterns, vehicles are kept moving instead of stopped in traffic. This not only helps improve a fleet’s MPG averages, but also can help reduce a fleet’s carbon footprint and the higher maintenance costs that come with excessive idling. (A 2007 survey of Teletrac customers showed average fuel savings of 13%. Individual reported savings ranged from 5% to 30 %.)
Final field testing of the new enhancements is currently being completed. Teletrac plans to have the products available during the Third Quarter of 2008.
Teletrac may be reached at 1-800-835-3872, via e-mail at sales@teletrac.net, or on the web at www.teletrac.net.
About Teletrac
Teletrac, Inc., based in Garden Grove, California, is the originator of wireless metro vehicle location systems. Today, those local systems have evolved into a nationwide network of wireless services. With over 4,500 commercial customers and over 72,000 units in service, Teletrac continues as an industry leader in coverage and advanced technology. The company’s products give commercial fleet managers the tools to track their fleets’ performance, ensure that their employees are meeting productivity goals and fulfilling the needs of their respective customers. The Teletrac Fleet Director® system, includes an enhanced, active GPS unit for vehicle location tracking, the Prism™ onboard data recorder/transmitter, fleet management software and wireless 2-way mobile communications. Additional modules allow for automated Turn-By-Turn, real-time, voice prompt navigation; automated Hours Of Service with onboard, in-cab display, and real-time, onboard diagnostics using the Vehicle Diagnostics Module. Teletrac’s customers include well-known entities such as the City of Houston and several national companies such as Builders First Source, Stewart Stevenson, Mr. Rooter, and many other nationally-franchised businesses. The company provides nationwide coverage, supported by regional sales and operations centers in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, and San Francisco. Teletrac is a private, wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based Trafficmaster, Plc, the dominant quality traffic information provider in the worldwide telematics market. For more information, please visit Teletrac on the web at www.teletrac.net.
About NAVTEQ
NAVTEQ is a leading provider of comprehensive digital map information for automotive navigation systems, mobile navigation devices, Internet-based mapping applications, and government and business solutions. NAVTEQ creates the digital maps and map content that power navigation and location-based services solutions around the world. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has more than 3,300 employees located in 174 offices and in 32 countries.
