1

Urban Transport Fleet Management

Dr. Theodoros I. Kosmanis

Department of Vehicles

Alexander Technological Educational

Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece

2

What is a vehicle fleet?

Typical examples

public bus companies

public utilities, e.g. garbish gathering

car rental companies

taxicab companies

police departments, fire departments

fleet vehicles to deliver goods to customers

for sales representatives to travel to clients

Fleet vehicles are groups of various types of vehicles owned or leased by a business or government agency, rather than by an individual or family.

[Source: en.wikipedia.org]

3

What is Fleet Management?

Management of a company's vehicle fleet (buses, cars, vans and trucks)

Range of functions

vehicle telematics (tracking and diagnostics)

vehicle financing

vehicle maintenance

driver management

speed management

fuel management

health and safety management

4

Why Fleet Management? Vehicle (car, bus, truck etc) fleets are strongly connected to finances

companies invest on transportation

companies rely on transportation to expand, increase profits, survive!

Vehicle fleet entails RISK

Fleet management

allows companies to remove or minimize the risks of vehicle investment

improve efficiency, productivity

reduce their overall transportation and staff costs

provide 100% compliance with government legislation (duty of care)

In-house fleet-management department OR outsourced fleet-management provider

5

FM purposeFleet managers must develop strategies in order to

improve driver efficiency and performance

increase the number of service calls while reducing overtime costs

reduce accidents

locate the best real-time driving routes to ensure on-time deliveries and appointments

optimize vehicle maintenance and reduce break downs

eliminate unauthorized vehicle use

record who was driving each vehicle at any particular time

manage risk and potentially reduce insurance costs

6

FM results’ exampleImpact of FM on small and large businesses [Source: www.aberdeen.com]

Main reasons cited by businesses to implement FM

increased efficiency

intention to improve the customer experience through better response times (73%)

Reduce service response times (57%)

Reduce fleet related operating costs (46%)

Increase service related productivity (41%)

Extend life of service vehicles (16%)

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FM results’ exampleImpact of FM on small and large businesses [Source: www.aberdeen.com]

Applications of commercial vehicle tracking solutions in the fields of transport, logistics and multi-drop delivery environments can include

optimised fleet utilisation

real-time operational enhancements

dynamically remote-managed fleets

Fleet tracking is scalable by

design and interfaces with the logistics industry’s leading back-office systems

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FM results’ exampleImpact of FM on small and large businesses [Source: www.aberdeen.com]

Fleet operators maintain movement of vehicles and monitor driver behaviour

to avoid delaying traffic conditions by

combining deliveries

reconfiguring routes

rescheduling timetables

Number of deliveries maximization

Time and distance minimization

Restricting the number of left hand turns can improve time, efficiency and energy savings

9

FM system structure

[Source: Alcan Telecom (www.alkantelecom.com)]

10

FM system structure

[Source: Alcan Telecom (www.alkantelecom.com)]

vehicletrackingsystem

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FM system structure

[Source: Alcan Telecom (www.alkantelecom.com)]

Informationacquisition

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FM system structure

[Source: Alcan Telecom (www.alkantelecom.com)]

Informationtransmission

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FM system structure

[Source: Alcan Telecom (www.alkantelecom.com)]

Informationprocessing

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[Source: Alcan Telecom (www.alkantelecom.com)]

FM level of services The complexity of the FM system used depends on

level of the desired vehicle control

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Current Approach Lecture is focused on vehicle fleet monitoring and related technology

Structure of Fleet Management System

Tracking system (GPS unit)

Fleet management system interface

Data retrieval via CAN bus

Wireless communication system

Technology

Communication channel

Information processing system

Server

Fleet management software

Back-office applications and control

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Related scientific fields Automotive electronics technology

CAN bus communications

Interface

Telecommunications technology

Antennas and signal coverage

Telematics (wireless networks)

GPS tracking, GIS

Computer science

Monitoring software and interface

Routing algorithms, traffic control models

Economics and management (logistics)

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FM system structure

[Source: Starcom Systems Ltd. (www.starcomsystems.com)]

GPS application

Wirelesscommunication

FleetmonitoringFleet control

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Vehicle tracking system GPS tracker

Differs from the usual GPS for vehicle applications

The position of the vehicle is estimated

It is transmitted to the central computer system

Tracking system types

Data Loggers (Passive Tracking) - record of activity

Real Time (Active Tracking) – User watches the activity in real-time from PC

Difference in installation cost

Hardware

Software

Air-time charges for communication between PC and vehicle

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GPS passive tracking

"Where have my vehicles been?"

GPS data logger placed inside a vehicle to record the vehicle's travels

travel history data downloading at home base

Advantages: Low cost and no monthly fee

Saves the data using the GPS data logger's internal memory

Downloading into PC by means of

USB port (lowest cost)

Bluetooth connection

RF wireless modem connection ( up to 1000 meters) (More convenient for larger commercial fleets)

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GPS passive tracking Monitors a vehicle’s travels

Records every second, within 2.5 meters’ accuracy:

Speed

Address of stops

Duration of stops

Time en route

Arrival Addresses

Direction of vehicle

Dimensions

Dimensions: 76.5 x 49. 5 x 35.5 mm[Source: mightygps.com Ltd. (www.mightygps.com)]

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GPS passive tracking Maximum Number of Satellites: 16

Horizontal Accuracy: 2.5 meters

Communication Protocol: NMEA

Storage Capacity: 100 hours Driving Time

Power Draw

Track Mode: 49mA

Sleep Mode: 0.072mA

Cost: 287 USD

[Source: mightygps.com Ltd. (www.mightygps.com)]

[Source: mightygps.com Ltd. (www.mightygps.com)]

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GPS passive tracking

[Source: mightygps.com Ltd. (www.mightygps.com)]

[Source: mightygps.com Ltd. (www.mightygps.com)]

GPS device possible positions

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GPS active tracking

"Where are my vehicles now?"

3 options for real-time tracking

depend on tracking area and local wireless network coverage

GSM/GPRS and CDMA wireless networks (most common method)

Satellite communication (suitable for tracking targets on the sea)

RF communication (useful for limited distances, typically up to 20 miles)

no monthly fees (suitable for tracking people who work within a limited area)

Monthly fees for wireless data communication services

fee vary with monthly usage and service plans available from the wireless network service providers

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GPS active tracking GPRS / SMS

Up to 5000 location / activation messages can be saved (automatic)

Built in motion detector

3.7 Volt Li-ion battery with optional high power lithium batteries

Built in active high performance GPS antenna

Dimensions: 90.5x 39 x 15.5 mm

1 Multi I/O connector (18 pin with locking pins)

[Source: mightygps.com Ltd. (www.mightygps.com)]

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GPS active tracking Electrical Characteristics

Input Voltage: + 5 Volt DC regulated (USB port power)

GSM ModemSIM-COM Quad band 1900/850/900/1800 MHz

GPS ReceiveruBlox- LEA-4S chipset version (default)

Lasts up to 3 years on internal battery or 7 years on optional external 18 amp/hr batteries.

Cost: 370 USD

[Source: mightygps.com Ltd. (www.mightygps.com)]

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GPS tracking mapping software

[Source: mightygps.com Ltd. (www.mightygps.com)]

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) powerful mapping platform

Very high cost

Simplified mapping software (Google earth)

currently free

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Fleet management system interface (FMS)

Integrated control platform (electronic interface) required on board

Data acquisition from vehicle control units

2-way communication with central server

Real-time data transmission to central server

Receive control instructions

Important issues

Access to vehicle’s communication system (CAN)

Wireless communication protocol

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FMS standard Fleet Management Systems Interface (FMS)

common interface to vehicle data as an open standard

Introduced by six European manufacturers (2002)

Daimler AG

MAN AG

Scania

Volvo (incl. Renault)

DAF Trucks

IVECO

manufacturer independent applications for telematics

Data coded according SAE J1939 standard (CAN for heavy vehicles) Repetition rate of data: 20ms (engine speed) - 10 sec (vehicle id number)

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FMS standard Amount of data available dependent on

manufacturer

vehicle model

Truck manufacturers refer to FMS Standard as world wide standard

Direct connection to internal vehicle bus system

NOT permitted

According to ACEA (Association de Constucteurs Européens d’Automobiles)

160.000 vehicles were fitted with FMS Standard Interface in 2007

FMS Standard base for Bus-FMS Standard (for buses and coaches)

published in 2004

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FMS standard for buses SIMILARLY Fleet Management Systems Interface (FMS) standard for buses

and coaches

Daimler Buses - EvoBus GmbH

MAN Truck & Bus AG

Scania CV

Volvo Bus Corporation

IrisBus Iveco

VDL Bus International B.V.

Data coded according SAE J1939 standard (CAN for heavy vehicles)

Supported information is dependent upon vehicle equipment

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Fleet management system interface (FMS) Truck manufacturers agreed to have common connector for FMS-interface

/ remote download from beginning of 2009

Major truck and digital tachograph manufacturers have defined a secure and legal solution for the remote download of data from the digital tachograph

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Example: CANgine Produced in 2003 (CANgine No.1)

a generic RS232 to CAN converter

often used in industrial automation environemt

some customers also use it to convert J1939 frames to serial data stream

The second device type supports the Fleet Management Standard

CANopen device added in 2006

connect standard RS232 serial devices to CANopen networks.

3 basic types

generic CANgine No.1

Fleet Management Standard device CANgine FMS

CANopen device CANgine COP

[Source: ESS Embedded Systems Solutions GmbH

(www.cangine.com)]

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Data items supported

Speed

Distance

Service Distance

Fuel Consumption

Weight

Tachograph Information

Example: CANgine

[Source: ESS Embedded Systems Solutions GmbH (www.cangine.com)]

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Technical Data

Power Supply 7 to 30 VDC / 35 mA via CAN connector

Serial Link RS232, 9 pin female

Serial Baudrates 2.400 to 115.200 baud

CAN V2.0A and/or V2.0B 9 pin male

CAN Baudrates10 kBaud to 1 MBaudaccording to CiArecommendations

Operating temp. -40 .. +80 °C

Size 53x 34 x 16 mm

Weight 22 g

Example: CANgine

[Source: ESS Embedded Systems Solutions GmbH (www.cangine.com)]

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Fleet Management Software Computer software

complex information system

gather, store, process, monitor, report on and export information

enables specific tasks to be accomplished in the management of any or all aspects related to a fleet of vehicles

encompass all operations from vehicle acquisition through maintenance to disposal

Fmsoftware manages processes, tasks and events

E.g. notification of routine maintenance, scheduled maintenance, tax and insurance due dates and driver licence management

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Fleet Management Software Fleet management software

can be developed in-house by the company or organisation using it

be purchased from a third party

varies greatly in its complexity and cost

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FMS in Thessaloniki Skyview Public

Transport -Integrated Public Transport Telematics Project Management

[Source: link technologies Ltd. (www.link-tech.gr)]

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FMS in Thessaloniki

[Source: link technologies Ltd. (www.link-tech.gr)]

Software features

List of vehicles in tree view for easy selection and search of vehicles

View the vehicles on the map using criteria such as vehicle type, vehicle group, vehicle line

View the vehicles in a separate window

Show vehicle path, vector recording track

Vehicle tracking

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FMS in Thessaloniki – line management

[Source: link technologies Ltd. (www.link-tech.gr)]

Design line or transport vehicle movements to a new route (algorithms)

Ability to search roads, towns

Manage and set stops

Alarms with audible signal such as being ahead of schedule, delay, etc.

Vehicle information

vehicle number, line number, scheduled departure time, start, end, path length, distance from start/terminal, distance from previous / next vehicle, average speed, estimated time of arrival at the next stop and following stops, based on traffic

Line tab with vehicles in motion, at the depot, at the start/terminal, line length

Time distances from the previous/next vehicle

Ability to connect sensors and other devices in the vehicles via analog and digital inputs and wireless transmission of this control center

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FMS in Thessaloniki

[Source: link technologies Ltd. (www.link-tech.gr)]

Passenger Information Smart Signs

Equipment Data Processing Centre

Telecommunications network between control centre, smart stops and vehicles

passenger information via the Internet

Presentation of information at smart stops

Presentation of information within the bus

Through telematics system all information is transferred from the control centre to smart stops and buses

[Source: link technologies Ltd. (www.link-tech.gr)]

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FMS in Thessaloniki Electronic Shift Manager for Drivers

Electronic reading device on buses

Drivers input the start and end of their shift

Device connected to telematics equipment

Wireless data transmit to control centre in real time

Benefits of organisation:

Reliable shift recording process

Faster and reliable wage processing

Real-time monitor of vehicle locations

Connection to ticket-issuing machines – financial and statistical processing

Reliable data transfer

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FMS in Thessaloniki Benefits of organisation:

Fast processing of data as a result of direct recording to an electronic database

Freeing up personell from the data import process on the computer

Ticket counting in real time

Daily maintanace update

Efficient utilisation of human resources

Real-time route display

Emergency Calls

Electronic Petrol Monitor

Installation of an electronic sensor on each bus (Rfid reader)

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FMS in Thessaloniki Following Stop Audio Announcements (FSAA)

Interfacing with the audio system (speakers) of each bus

System

processor chip ATMEL AVR ATmega128

memory slot for SD (Secure Digital)

Memory SD 64MB

Amplifier

Digital format audio announcements of all stops stored

Automatic command from telematics system for playback to inform the traveling public of current and following stop

Significant programmable features of FSAA

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FMS in Thessaloniki Features of FSAA

Announcement of next stop

Notification of arrival at stop

Repeat announcements at regular intervals

Can announce dynamic message (informing the public, press releases,advertising) from the control center through telematics

Announcements targeting particular buses or lines through telematics

Possibility of scheduled messages

Remote configuration management

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FMS in Thessaloniki

[Source: link technologies Ltd. (www.link-tech.gr)]

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Fleet Management Software With a private server and installation of a private VPN network

[Source: link technologies Ltd. (www.link-tech.gr)]

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Fleet Management Software With a private server and use of Link Technologies S.A.’s private VPN

[Source: link technologies Ltd. (www.link-tech.gr)]

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Wireless communication

[Source: link technologies Ltd. (www.link-tech.gr)]

Treatment of vehicles as sophisticated computing systems that can exchange information in real time with each other in order to achieve high levels of security, comfort and efficiency

Successor of the wireless LANs

New trends in inter-vehicle communications

49

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New trends in inter-vehicle communications

50

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Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I)

New trends in inter-vehicle communications

51

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Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V)

Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I)

New trends in inter-vehicle communications

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WAVE (Wireless Access in Vehicular Environment) standards, e.g. IEEE 802.11p, define a system architecture that provides wireless access tovehicular environment

Cover layers of the OSI model

Research areas

Messaging

Collision avoidance

Traffic handling

Propagation models (coverage)

Parameters of 802.11p WAVE Standard

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WAVE standards

V1 CAN system

V1 V2V Computing

Platform

V1 V2V Transceiver

V2 V2V Transceiver

V2 V2V Computing

Platform

V2 Passenger information via

visual/audio media

Possible driveror passenger

action

V1: Vehicle 1 (transmitter)

V2: Vehicle 2 (receiver)

broadcasting

Exchange of information between moving vehicles or between vehicles and infrastructure in order to achieve high levels of security,

comfort and efficiency

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V1 CAN system

V1 V2V Computing

Platform

V1 V2V Transceiver

V2 V2V Transceiver

V2 V2V Computing

Platform

V2 Passenger information via

visual/audio media

Possible driveror passenger

action

V1: Vehicle 1 (transmitter)

V2: Vehicle 2 (receiver)

broadcasting

Computing platform Functionally independent of the vehicle processors and controllers

(automotive electronic control units)

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V1 CAN system

V1 V2V Computing

Platform

V1 V2V Transceiver

V2 V2V Transceiver

V2 V2V Computing

Platform

V2 Passenger information via

visual/audio media

Possible driveror passenger

action

V1: Vehicle 1 (transmitter)

V2: Vehicle 2 (receiver)

broadcasting

Computing platform

Runs the WAVE protocols and supports applications

Connects to vehicle’s main communication system (e.g. CAN(Controller Area Network) to acquire the required information

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V1 CAN system

V1 V2V Computing

Platform

V1 V2V Transceiver

V2 V2V Transceiver

V2 V2V Computing

Platform

V2 Passenger information via

visual/audio media

Possible driveror passenger

action

V1: Vehicle 1 (transmitter)

V2: Vehicle 2 (receiver)

broadcasting

Transceiver

Transmits and receives messages via antenna (or antennas depending on the system)

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V1 CAN system

V1 V2V Computing

Platform

V1 V2V Transceiver

V2 V2V Transceiver

V2 V2V Computing

Platform

V2 Passenger information via

visual/audio media

Possible driveror passenger

action

V1: Vehicle 1 (transmitter)

V2: Vehicle 2 (receiver)

broadcasting

Communication channel

Surrounding vehicular environment (urban, rural area).

Affects the link and coverage quality.

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V1 CAN system

V1 V2V Computing

Platform

V1 V2V Transceiver

V2 V2V Transceiver

V2 V2V Computing

Platform

V2 Passenger information via

visual/audio media

Possible driveror passenger

action

V1: Vehicle 1 (transmitter)

V2: Vehicle 2 (receiver)

broadcasting

Examples

Information exchange about heavy traffic conditions in a specific road between the members of a vehicle fleet, e.g. taxis or buses (V2V public-safety application).

Map download for a GPS device (V2I private application).

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Thank you for your attention

● Robert Bosch GmbH, Safety, comfort and convenience systems. Bentley Publishers, 2006. (ISBN: 0-8376-1391-4)

● Mercentes – Benz technology, Public Transport and Fleet Management in Urban Areas – basis for sustainable mobility in 20xx. MB tech consulting (ppt presentation).

● Richard Iles, Public Transport in Developing Countries. Elsevier Ltd., 2005. (ISBN: 0-08-044558-6)

● Jerzy Mikulski (Ed.), Transport Systems Telematics. Communications in Computer and Information Science (104), SpringerVerlag, 2010. (ISBN-10 3-642-16471-4)

● www.fleetmanagementsystem.net [Fleet Management Systems]

● www.fmsgps.com [Fleet Management Solutions]

● www.e-drivetech.com [E-drive technology Ltd.]

● www.cangine.com [ESS Embedded Systems Solutions GmbH]

● www.bus-fms-standard.com

● www.starcomsystems.com [Starcom systems Ltd.]

● www.alkantelecom.com [Alkan telecom Ltd.]

● www.mightygps.com [mightygps.com Ltd.]

● www.link-tech.gr [Link technologies Ltd.]

● www.gmv.com [GMV Innovating Solutions]

● www.ptvag.com [PTV traffic mobility logistics]

Bibliography

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Assignment

Estimate the cost of applying FMS to a fleet of 200 buses of anurban transport company (choose real market products)