In-Cab Video by Rosco Vision Systems

by | Oct 24, 2023 | Fleet Management

In-Cab Video by Rosco & Snapshots by Exception

 

In-cab video by Rosco - Dual-Vision-GPS-Tracker-Integration

Interior video, even at night, is readily available. The Rosco Vision System Dual Vision video camera can be operated as a fully integrated solution with the Geotab GPS tracking device or as a standalone system. The integrated solution utilizes the Geotab rules engine to trigger snapshots which are automatically uploaded to the cloud. Fleet managers have a variety of options from this commercial grade video safety system. 

  1. Up to 3,000 hours of rolling video
  2. Forward-facing and in-cab video by Rosco on the Dual-Vision camera
  3. Add an interior dome camera to monitor cargo
  4. Backup camera to reduce collisions
  5. Up to 4 exterior cameras
  6. Audio recording option
  7. Utilize with or without Geotab
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GPS Accuracy

by | Oct 20, 2023 | Assets and Equipment, GPS Tracking, GPS Tracking and Telematics, Industry Info

GPS Accuracy and What Affects It

The advertised location accuracy of most GPS trackers less than 3 meters. GPS Accuracy can vary outside this standard deviation based on environmental factors such tree cover, tall buildings, GPS antenna used, device engineering and GPS device install location.

GPS-Accuracy-Comparison

GPS Accuracy Related to Speed

Speed accuracy is something we do not put a lot of thought into but speed accuracy can vary quite a bit. The GPS tracker and the GPS on your phone is more accurate than the speedometer on your vehicle. The older the vehicle, the less accurate the speedometer is.

Speed is significantly impacted by changing the factory tire size. Wear changes the tread depth and size of a tire over time. An old tire is not as large as a new tire so the axle spins faster giving a false speed.

To determine speed accuracy from the GPS tracking map, scroll your mouse over the map route leading up to the speeding incident if you are using Geotab. Other GPS trackers will not be as accurate and do not have as much data.

If the vehicle speed gradually increases, it is valid data. If the speed jumps from 40 to 85 with nothing in between, it would be difficult to hold a driver accountable for this because data is missing between these two points.

GPS Accuracy Speed Graph

Posted Road Speed (PRS) Accuracy

Posted road speed varies from super accurate based on Fleetistics testing, to occasionally not so accurate. It is far more accurate than it was 5 years ago. I have driven past speed limit signs and watched the data change in Waze within feet.

Generally, the more populated the area, the more accurate the data because there is a greater chance someone will submit a correction or from mapping cameras that frequent these areas more often. PRS is only as accurate as the data provided by the government, data that is submitted by citizens or AI, and the data set selected by the GPS tracking company.

Cameras with artificial intelligence are helping reduce the time between a speed change, or new sign going in, and the time until it enters the data set. Citizens can submit corrections to the mapping companies which will be included fairly quickly.

I submitted a road through the heart of Tucson, AZ to OpenStreetMaps and it was updated quickly which eliminated a lot of speeding exceptions. A submission to Google was live within two days. Highway speeds and primary surface roads are generally very accurate but it can vary by state.

In short, you have to validate exceptions.

Employees

Often times employees will claim the GPS accuracy is incorrect. Performing the two tests below will give you the confidence that the GPS is more accurate than the employees description. If you have to, do the test in the vehicle with the employee. If the GPS tracker is off, and it happens occasionally because of external factors, the deviation is typically so great it is obvious.

Since 2001 Fleetistics has not seen a situation when the deviation is consistently X and you cannot tell something is wrong. The deviation is generally 30x and the vehicle plots in the ocean or 250 miles away for 1 or 2 data points, the speed goes to 321 MPH to cover this distance and then the plot comes back to the expected route. This is typical of a reflected GPS signal most often seen going under an overpass. Most of the time the GPS device filters this data because it cannot be valid.

If the track follows the road, the data is accurate. Accuracy is one of Geotab’s strongest features.

Accuracy Testing

Below are two tests you can conduct to get a feel for the accuracy for a particular vehicle. The question is what is the business case where the accuracy is in question?

Speed Test: Set the speed buzzer on your Geotab GPS device at 70 MPH and take a drive. Open WAZE and view the speed Waze indicates you are traveling and compare it to your speedometer. Waze will be more accurate reading because it is not impacted by tire size and other environmental factors. This will determine your speedometers margin of error. Increase your speed at a normal rate until you reach the speed set on your Geotab device. When the buzzer goes off compare it to Waze and your speedometer. You will now know the margin of error for the Geotab device in relation to your speedometer.

Location Test: Park your vehicle in a particular parking space. Open Geotab, change to satellite view and see if your vehicle is plotted correctly. This will show the accuracy. Below is the picture from my truck today. It is showing the correct parking space and even the GPS being on the left side of the parking space. I would estimate this is within 2 feet of the actual GPS location inside my truck.

GO9 Technical Specifications

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Collision Reconstruction Limits Heartbreak Over Collision Damage

by | Oct 17, 2023 | Fleet Management

You can’t always prevent collision damage,

but you can prevent the heartbreak. Thanks in part to Geotab’s Collision Reconstruction add on, there is a happy ending to what could have been a very sad story.

I think we all have a vision of our dream car from our youth. For me it was always a little red rag-top. A couple of years ago I found her. She was a Chili Red Mini Cooper with a blue denim convertible top. Her name, chosen by her previous owner, was Rosie.

Damage to Mini Cooper
She had a lot of life left in her when I was hit from behind in September of 2019. The impact pushed me into the vehicle in front of me, so I had collision damage both front and rear. As I dialed 911, I watched the other two very young drivers call their parents. Though the damage appeared superficial, my dream car was possibly going to be totaled, and ahead of me the negotiation with the insurance company loomed large.
Damage to Mini Cooper

Accessing the Collision Reconstruction Data

The first thing I did when I got home was fire up the the computer to pull the accident data. With the collision reconstruction add on, it took just a couple of minutes. The truth is often not exactly what we remember,and in this case, that was the case.

How could I have been so certain I was at a complete stop when I was hit from behind? The collision reconstruction data showed I was driving 6 mph and slowing to stop. I wondered in that moment if the other drivers had similar flaws in their memory of the event.

Also, the data indicated an initial accident level impact at the rear of my vehicle propelling me forward at 6:07:06 PM. Two more minor spikes on the graph indicate backward motion at about half the force of the initial impact. I suspect one of those may have been the force of my roll bar deploying.

Processing the Claim

Processing of the claim for the collision damage was somewhat slow. The insurance company had to reach all three drivers involved for their statements before they could make a determination of fault. I had advised the insurance company that I had the data and could prove exactly what happened, but they had to go through their process.

Apparently the crucial information they needed from the driver in front of me, was how many impacts he heard, relative to what he felt, to verify that the rear vehicle actually hit me before I hit him. I wondered if his memory was clear on that point, but was confident the data would back me up if it was not.

Collision reconstruction Speed
Had there been any question, the G force graph below and speed graphs above would tell the entire story. Had it ended up in litigation, the engineers at Geotab would have provided me with expert testimony in the form of a formal report explaining and validating the data from their collision reconstruction. Lucky for me, the insurance company just wrote a check to cover the collision damage.

Unfortunately,

The next day I received the dreaded call… after further review it was determined the frame was bent, and due to severe collision damage Rosie and I would not be seeing any more highway miles together. The insurance company settled, and I was off to find a new car.

Knowing that I had solid facts acquired through collision reconstruction, allowed me to negotiate from a position of power, rather than accepting whatever the insurance company decided. I had a nice fat down payment in my pocket, and my former loan was paid off.

Accelerometer Data

I promised a happy ending,

So here it is. Not quite 2 weeks from the collision event, I was driving my new car. I could not find another Chili Red one, but British Racing Green can grow on a person.

My new road pal is 2 years and 50K miles younger, has a turbo charger, and a far superior sound system. I am naming him Jack Hammer, after the salesman at the Mini dealer (I swear that is his real name).

Thanks Jack!

Thanks Geotab!

2014 Mini Cooper S
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Driver Improvement Through Targeted Driver Training

by | Oct 16, 2023 | Fleet Management, Fleet Management Software, Training

Ongoing driver improvement through targeted driver training is one of the hottest trends in fleet management today.

Targeted driver training

When based on actual driving history, targeted driver training is an effective tool for driver improvement. A recent article in Commercial Carrier Journal mentions the need for more targeted driver training. The article warns that in cab alerts are distracting to the driver. Classroom trainings like those endorsed by the National Safety Council are great, and have been the standard for many years, but it takes advance planning and time off the job for drivers to attend. Business requires something that is readily available when needed.

Over the past couple of years, 2 primary models of targeted driver self-improvement have emerged. Not surprisingly, they are simple merit models and demerit models.

Merit vs Demerit

Examples of merit models are game apps. Driving data is converted into a score and drivers compete for recognition. Competition is the primary motivation because it is fun, and because nobody wants to be a loser. Adding a reward, like a cash bonus for the most improved driver, maintains interest. Clearly, competition will promote driver improvement, but is still not targeted driver training.

Demerit models look for problems and assign targeted driver training. Specific behavior, for example speeding, results in lessons assigned to the driver on how speed can be dangerous. This achieves driver improvement in two ways.

  1. The driver learns how speed can be a danger to himself and others through the lessons assigned.
  2. The driver doesn’t want another course assignment that he has to complete after work hours, so he changes his behavior.

The goal is to provide a custom training course based on need. Each driver is assigned lessons based on their driving deficiencies. A program like this is often administered by the Safety Department in larger companies, but in small and medium size businesses, who is going to do all that? Many businesses would like to implement targeted driver training, but only if it is a “hands off” approach.

Predictive Coach course modules

The Keys to Automating Driver Training

To automate the process your GPS tracking system provides the data directly to the training app. Training content on a variety of subjects is organized into courses and lessons. When thresholds for unwanted behavior are met, the app assigns the appropriate training to the driver via email. Drivers access the training from their personal devices, and no supervision is needed.

Training is easy to use, interesting, and focused on driver improvement. Managers only need to be notified when drivers fail to complete the assigned courses, but they can review lessons assigned and completed if they want. This hands off approach simplifies the managers role in the process.

Predictive Coach meets all of the criteria.

  1. Improves driver behaviors with a data driven training program
  2. Eases the burden of safety monitoring through automation
  3. Eliminates willful negligence around driver discipline
  4. Integrates seamlessly with your Geotab tracking solution
  5. Proven to produce results through targeted driver training

Predictive Coach automated driver training has been evaluated by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute is proven to reduce dangerous driver behavior.

How it Works

Individual Predictive Coach courses contain 3 to 7 individual lessons. The lessons are automatically assigned to drivers when exceptions to rules occur. The driving rules used are the ones you configure with tolerances you set. Managers are notified when assigned lessons have not been completed, and they appreciate the compact dashboards and reports that are available for reviewing and comparing drivers. Drivers can complete the courses on laptop, phone or tablet from virtually anywhere.

That fits our definition – automated driver improvement through targeted driver training.

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Reimbursing drivers for home charging of EVs

by | Sep 27, 2023 | Business Intelligence, Electric Vehicles, Fleet Management Software

As more companies transition to electric vehicles for their employees, it becomes necessary to establish a clear policy regarding the charging and reimbursement of take-home EVs. One crucial aspect to consider is the reimbursement of drivers for home charging of EVs. You need to have policies in place for reimbursing drivers for their actual business mileage. Calculations based on the cost of fuel or miles driven no longer apply.

home charging of EVs

Your fleet needs to reap the benefit of the lower EV operating costs with mileage reimbursement rates that reflect the true electricity costs. That isn’t easy with a vast range of costs between peak energy use times, off-peak charges, use of fast public chargers and more. Here are a few ideas:

  1. Home charging infrastructure plays a crucial role in encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles. Research studies have shown that EV drivers consider the ability to charge at home as a significant incentive for purchasing an electric vehicle.
  2. Home charging provides numerous benefits for EV drivers, including lower pricing per kilowatt-hour compared to fast-charging stations and the convenience of charging at home
  3. In the United States, there is a growing need for reimbursement policies that address the home charging of EVs.
  4. Implementing a reimbursement policy for home charging can help alleviate concerns and ensure that drivers are properly compensated for their expenses.

In a survey conducted on EV drivers, it was found that the availability of home charging facilities significantly influenced their decision to purchase an electric vehicle. Home charging provides convenience and cost advantages for domestic EV users. Moreover, home charging allows drivers to have a ready-to-use vehicle each morning without the need to rely on public charging infrastructure. To successfully implement a reimbursement program for home charging, it is important to establish clear guidelines and criteria.

Reimbursing Drivers – Guidelines and Criteria

To ensure fairness and clarity, it is important to establish clear guidelines and criteria for the reimbursement of home charging expenses. These guidelines should outline what is eligible for reimbursement, how drivers can submit their charging expenses, and any limits or caps on reimbursement amounts. In determining what is eligible for reimbursement, it may be beneficial to consider the cost of electricity used for charging the EV. To establish a fair reimbursement system, companies can utilize charging data and set a reasonable reimbursement rate per kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed.  Additional guidelines provided in this article by Geotab:  https://www.geotab.com/blog/charging-evs-at-home/

Benefits of Reimbursing Drivers for Home Charging Expenses  

Reimbursing drivers for home charging expenses can have several benefits. Firstly, it incentivizes the adoption of electric vehicles by providing drivers with a tangible financial benefit. Secondly, it promotes employee satisfaction and retention by alleviating the financial burden associated with charging an EV at home. Lastly, reimbursing home charging expenses can lead to increased employee productivity.  

With the convenience of home charging, employees can easily maintain a fully charged vehicle, reducing any concerns about range anxiety and potential downtime waiting for public charging stations. Furthermore, implementing a reimbursement program for home charging can support the adoption of electric vehicles on a larger scale. This is evident from research studies that have shown home charging as a significant incentive for EV adoption. 

Offering EV driver reimbursements 

In the United States, offering reimbursements for home charging of EVs can be a proactive step towards encouraging the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. 

Proprietary plug-in charging stations (owned by the company)  

Companies can consider installing proprietary plug-in charging stations at the workplace for employees to charge their EVs while they are at work. This not only provides convenience for employees but also allows companies to have control over the charging infrastructure and possibly negotiate lower electricity rates. 

Flat-rate reimbursement  

Companies can also consider implementing a flat-rate reimbursement system for home charging expenses. This involves reimbursing employees a fixed amount per month to cover their home charging costs. The amount can be determined based on factors such as the average distance driven per month, the average electricity consumption of the EV, and the prevailing electricity rates in the region. 

Actual energy rate  

Another approach to reimbursing drivers for home charging expenses is to calculate the actual energy rate. This involves reimbursing employees based on the actual amount of electricity consumed for charging their EV at home. This can be done by requiring employees to submit monthly electricity bills or by installing separate meters specifically for EV charging. Companies can choose whether to reimburse the full amount or a percentage of the charging costs, taking into consideration their budget and sustainability goals. 

Auto manufacturer tools 

Auto manufacturers can also play a role in reimbursing drivers for home charging of EVs. They can offer incentives or discounts on home charging equipment, such as wall-mounted chargers or smart charging systems. This would encourage EV owners to invest in home charging infrastructure, making it more convenient and cost-effective for them to charge their vehicles at home.  

Energy cards (like gas credit cards) 

Energy cards, like gas credit cards, can also be introduced to reimburse drivers for home charging expenses. These cards would be linked to the driver’s EV charging account and can be used at approved charging stations or for home charging. By using energy cards, drivers can easily track and manage their charging expenses, while companies can conveniently reimburse them for the amount spent. 

Here is an interristing video explaining EV Home Charging for Beginners

Other considerations

While formulating a plan for your EV driver reimbursements, keep in mind three other areas that can impact your policies:

  • Green incentives and rebates: In some states, there are green incentives and rebates available for electric vehicle owners, which can help offset the cost of home charging. Companies can encourage their employees to take advantage of these incentives and provide guidance on how to apply for them.
  • Home-based charging equipment: It is important to consider the cost and installation requirements of home-based charging equipment. This includes evaluating the diverse types of chargers available, such as Level 1 (standard household outlet), Level 2 (dedicated charging station), and Level 3 (Fast charging stations and compatibility with the electric vehicle models used by employees.)
  • Proprietary systems: When implementing a reimbursement program for home charging expenses, consider the compatibility of different charging systems and ensure that the reimbursement process is user-friendly and accessible to all employees.


Conclusion 

Reimbursing drivers for home charging of electric vehicles in the United States could be a significant measure to enhance EV adoption. Offering incentives or discounts on home charging equipment and introducing energy cards for reimbursement can encourage EV owners to invest in convenient and cost-effective home charging infrastructure. This strategy is crucial to increase the adoption rate of EVs in the country. 

 

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GEotab GO9 GPS Vehicle Tracking
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