Tractors and trailers stream along the nation's highways like ants to and from an overturned sugar bowl. They are going someplace or they've been someplace. Keeping track of all this movement and directing it logically is the task of the communications hardware that has become indispensable to freight transportation. With just-in-time schedules, shippers and receivers want to know where loads are and when they will arrive. Carriers want to know how long their equipment must wait before becoming available for another load. All this information must be coordinated between drivers and their dispatchers.
Vehicle information systems began with on-board recorders for tracking speed, fuel economy, and driver performance. Soon those recorders were given an interactive capability so that drivers could enter variables such as stop arrival time or number of pieces delivered.
Next, management began to track vehicles remotely almost in real time. These early systems located vehicles at preset intervals, once every few hours and sometimes once an hour. In addition, these systems allowed drivers and their fleet managers to exchange written messages.
Originally, tracking applied only to tractors, because it used the vehicle electrical system as a power source. Now tracking and communication have been extended to untethered trailers. These small, battery-powered transmitters periodically send out a signal that can be tracked for trailer location. Remote trailer tracking also allows fleets to determine if the trailer is loaded and if the doors are open.
The most recent advance in trailer tracking is a system called StarTrak that provides refrigeration unit remote control and monitoring as well as tracking. With StarTrak and systems like it, refrigeration units can be commanded to start, to change temperature setting, or to perform an automated preventive maintenance inspection. In addition, load temperature at several points throughout the trailer (or railcar) can be monitored.
Tractor and trailer tracking have been used mostly by truckload carriers whose equipment is on the road for days at a time. Distribution companies have been less likely to adopt tracking, because equipment returns daily and drivers are in almost constant telephone contact with their managers. However, with the development of web-based systems such as eRoadnet from UPS, distribution companies have the capability to route and manage delivery in real time. A new communication system from Thermo King, called R:Com, provides remote monitoring for vehicle arrival and departure times, and refrigeration unit operating and temperature data. R:Com uses radio to transmit data between a base station and a communication module on the vehicle.
The key to all these tracking and communication systems is the ability to manage data. A number of vendors provide tracking hardware and software. Among these are Qualcomm, Aether (formerly Motient), Peoplenet, @Track, and Terion. These systems essentially plug into fleet management software from suppliers such as Innovative Computing or McLeod Software. A new development in the field is a product called Symphony from McLeod that allows fleets to use multiple communications vendors with a single point-of-entry for dispatchers.
Symphony already is available to support communication from Qualcomm, Terion, and Motient. Peoplenet and @Track will be added soon.
www.cummins.com
Cummins Debuts Environmental Web Site
Cummins Engine Co Inc has launched its environmental web site, which will contain up-to-date information on the company's environmental activities in its engine, power generation, and filtration business.
The web site is located at www.cummins.com under the “Who We Are” section. The site's content, centered on goals set out in its environmental mission statement, contains links outlining examples of how the company has put the mission's goals into action in the areas of product development, global citizenship, and local responsibility. Information contained on the site will be updated regularly.
www.mile.com
Prophesy Links Functions
Prophesy Transportation Solutions has integrated two of its software solutions: Dispatch and Accounting, and FuelLogic. Integration of the products allows users to harness the power of Dispatch and Accounting in conjunction with all the capabilities of FuelLogic fuel optimization software. FuelLogic can save trucking companies up to $8,000 per truck per year on fuel purchases.
The solution is scalable, so that companies of all sizes can be accommodated.
Fuel management is the latest component to be added to the already-integrated functions of Prophesy's Enterprise Dispatch System, which includes dispatch, accounting, mileage and routing, and fuel tax solutions.
www.tiptrailers.com
TIP Provides Web-Based One-Way Moves
Transport International Pool (TIP) offers web-based one-way route opportunities with multi-bidding options. To rent at reduced rates, locate free move routes, or provide one-way trailer support, customers can go to www.tiptrailers.com and click on One Way Moves.
A one-way move is a contractual agreement to pick up/drop off a trailer by a specified date/time between a TIP branch or a manufacturer location. Customers can use one-way routes to balance their fleet and locate empty trailers for backhaul opportunities. The web site centralizes all one-way routes so users can view available trailer locations, destinations, equipment types, quantities, and move terms.
Each available one-way route is listed as either a rental bid, free move, or towaway. Terms are dependent on the specified delivery date and bid amount. With a rental bid, customers can pay reduced rental/mileage rates and avoid drop fees. A free move may not require any payment from the user, while a towaway means that TIP will pay for the move.
www.esri.com
ArcLogistics Route 2 Shipping
ESRI has announced that ArcLogistics Route 2, a new release of its desktop routing and scheduling solution, is now shipping. ArcLogistics Route 2 includes expanded solver functionality, multiple street data extractions, improved geocoding tools, and higher-quality street data.
ArcLogistics Route 2 accommodates more routing routines by allowing users to specify route renewal points for reloading or unloading. Drivers that need to make a stop during a route benefit from this new feature because it lets them account for that stop on their original route. ArcLogistics Route 2 also allows users to decide exactly how long a route lasts, schedule lunch time within a time window, and give orders and vehicles as many specialties as they want.
ArcLogistics Route 2 includes Dynamap/Transportation, the latest street data from Geographic Data Technology Inc. Shipped in NAD83 format, Dynamap/Transportation includes node elevations and features one-way streets, physical turn restrictions, improved ramp structures, calculated speed information, and a geocodable database. ESRI has also introduced a new street data purchasing model to accommodate users' need for a larger street database.
www.insurecargo.com
InsureCargo Offers Insurance Quotes Online
InsureCargo Insurance Services Inc has launched a global Internet-based insurance product that offers instant online quotations, payment, and issuance of policy. InsureCargo.com is the first operating United States-based web site licensed to sell cargo insurance for single trip exposures to or from the United States to anywhere in the world.
The backbone of the site is the company's quote engine, an online premium rating and policy issuance system that provides US-centric customers with real-time quotation and purchase of cargo insurance on a 24/7 basis. InsureCargo.com's chat function provides access to a person with a click of the mouse.
The system is designed to meet the needs of international shippers, logistics managers, their insurance agents, and their freight forwarders/custom brokers. Premiums start at US $10 with no surcharge.
Online Routing System Selects TruckStops
Columbus Logistics Corp has launched an online vehicle routing and scheduling system called Fully-Loaded.net and chosen TruckStops routing and scheduling system as its core technology. Developed by MicroAnalytics, TruckStops is distributed in the United Kingdom by Kingswood MapMechanics.
Fully-Loaded.net is targeting small and medium-size transport operators — businesses that might not be in a position to invest time, staff, and resources needed to set up and administer a system of their own. Operators running between five and 50 vehicles would be typical users. Typical users are predicted to save at least 10% in transport costs, and at less than half the price of scheduling in-house.
Operators will be able to upload lists of loads, call points, and customers to Fully-Loaded.net, and receive a schedule of vehicle routes produced by TruckStops. Depending on the urgency of the requirement, a range of service levels will be available for turnaround of data, including two-day, next-day, and same-day. Users will pay a fixed fee for each planned route.
www.kenworth.com
Kenworth Offers Real-time Repair Updates
To support Kenworth's PremierCare roadside assistance customer center, the company has introduced a new vehicle breakdown tracking service available via a password-protected web site. “This new service allows customers to view — in real-time — the status of any breakdown managed by our customer center,” said Dick Von Lehman, customer center program manager.
Once on-line, customers receive a full status report on vehicles currently receiving service through the customer center. The report also provides historical information so fleet managers can review breakdown histories.
“By clicking on an ‘open’ job, customers can see details of all the conversations logged by our customer support agents, including estimated time of completion,” said Von Lehman.
Drivers who experience a breakdown on the road can dial 800-KW-ASSIST to receive personal assistance to get them back up and running. The customer center is staffed by trained professionals available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Kenworth PremierCare program registration is free. Truck owners may register their vehicles at their local Kenworth dealer or by calling 800-KW-ASSIST. Electronic registration is also available by going to www.kenworth.com.
The customer center database also can track the owner's preferences for everything from repair payment to tires. Plus, maintenance can be scheduled anywhere in North America by phoning the toll-free number.
www.tmwsystems.com
TMW Interfaces with Terion
TMW Systems Inc has made available an integrated interface to the affordable new mobile communications system of Terion Inc. The interface works through the TMW TotalMail complete communications package for its PowerSuite and TL200O dispatch systems and through a conventional interface with its DOS-based system.
The Terion product uses a new type of technology called digital HF (high frequency). With this technology, transmissions from the truck are bounced off the ionosphere and returned to Earth to be received by one of Terion's eight sites across the United States. Messages are automatically routed to Terion's network operations center, then downloaded directly into the trucking company's TMW dispatch system, where the dispatcher is notified immediately.
www.peterbilt.com
Parts Referencing on Internet
Peterbilt's SmartSearch, a proprietary cross-reference application previously available only to Peterbilt dealership personnel, is now accessible to everyone via the Internet. The application allows trucking professionals to identify replacement parts for trucks and trailers.
SmartSearch contains more than 1.3 million part numbers and more than 100 guides to find parts by application. SmartSearch identifies parts by application or can function as an all-makes cross-reference file. Part number information can be researched by supplier in the Supplier Index, by product in the Product Index, or by part number in the X-Ref (cross-reference for all makes of trucks). All information is updated regularly.
Once inside SmartSearch, users can access the Peterbilt dealer locator to find the nearest dealership and phone number to secure needed parts.
www.pcmiler.com
ALK Issues Version 3.0 of PC*Miler/Streets
ALK has released PC*Miler/Streets 3.0 street-level routing, mileage, and mapping software. Among its additions are drag-and-drop stop management, enhanced driving directions, and a Time Windows routing and scheduling feature that provides users with up-to-the-minute route planning.
PC*Miler/Streets' new stop management lets users move stops up and down within a route entry window or move stops to an entirely different route. The program's enhanced driving directions now include height clearance information on the “Detailed Report,” notifying users and drivers of truck restrictions. Time Windows allows users to calculate routes that most accurately satisfy pick-up and delivery time constraints.
Windows-based PC*Miler/Streets 3.0 is also compatible with the AS/400 environment. UNIX, mainframe, and other platform compatibility is available through a TCP/IP interface.
www.drivernet.com
www.phoneonline.com
DRIVERNet Joins Partnership
Owners of small- to mid-size fleets and professional drivers soon will have access to business information and streamlined communication capabilities, thanks to tools being developed through a partnership between DRIVERNet and PhoneOnline.com.
DRIVERNet, an e-commerce and services solution for the transportation industry, has announced a plan to deliver its current financial and technology-based services to fleets and drivers via a suite of wireless communications and messaging tools. Through a collaborative partnership with PhoneOnline.com, a wireless software development and services firm, DRIVERNet will bring wireless capabilities to transportation professionals across the United States.
www.GETrucking.com
GE Capital Unveils Portal
GE Capital launched a new web site, www.GETrucking.com, featuring financial and service solutions for companies' transportation needs. The new GE Trucking Solutions portal will make it faster and easier for fleet owners, managers, and operators to find the financing and services they need for their trucks, trailers, and automotive fleets.
This portal consolidates offerings of four GE Capital businesses — Penske Truck Leasing, Transport International Pool (TIP), GE Capital Commercial Equipment Financing, and GE Capital Fleet Services. This is achieved through the “Trucking Solutions Wizard,” which poses a series of questions and, based on customer responses, recommends a solution and routes their request to the appropriate solution provider.
The site contains financing options with explanations that range from full-service leases, to loans or rentals. The site also offers a selection of services for trucks and trailers.
www.dmtispatial.com
DMTI Upgrades CanMap
DMTI Spatial Inc, a spatial solutions provider for Canadian street map data, announces an upgrade to its flagship product, CanMap. The most significant enhancement in version 4.0 is the availability of street names for communities as small as 1,000 people.
Included in the CanMap suite of products are CanMap Streetfiles, CanMap RouteLogistics, CanMap Major Roads & Highways, and CanMap Plus+.
CanMap V4.0 is loaded with new features and enhancements such as: addressing for communities of more than 4,750 people; Canada/United States border crossings (points of entry), including the name of the US road that links to a Canadian road across the border; and airport locations, including airport name and code in urban areas.
