Lowering support fleet costs: plug-in/on-board event data recorders provide an economical watchful eye on support vehicles - Fleet Factors

Concrete Producer, The, Nov, 2003 by Rick Yelton

Want to try something that may substantially reduce your support fleet costs? Drivers who operate vehicles with on-board monitoring systems are significantly safer than drivers who aren't monitored, according to a 1992 European research project monitoring large fleets. The study noted a 28% reduction in the fleet accident rate and lower operating costs of about 40%.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Event Data Recorder (EDR) Working Group reaffirmed EDRs' potential safety enhancements in 2001. (For more on the NHTSA research, go to www.nhtsa.gov.)

Previously, the excessive costs of outfitting support vehicles with such equipment were often prohibitive. Thus, how a manager monitored the numerous pick-ups, SUVs, and vans in a producer's support group was often more based on trust rather than fact.

But recent changes in onboard data-collection technology could change that. Fleet managers now can plug into the daily performance of the support fleet vehicles with the CarChip Fleet data-logging system. Davis Instruments, a Hayward, Calif.-based automotive product manufacturer, recently introduced this new style of EDR.

The CarChip EDR can be plugged into a car or light truck's OBDII connector, eliminating the lengthy installation period of an expensive fixed monitor performance of their support vehidied the CarChip. The unit plugs into the car for up to 300 hours. mounted unit. It also is easier to transfer data from vehicle to office.

Each EDR has its own identification number, so it can be assigned to a specific vehicle and driver. While small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, it has enough capacity to store up to 300 hours of trip details, including four engine performance parameters: rpm, throttle position, coolant temperature, and battery voltage.

Fleet managers can easily download dam into a useful Windows-based program which tracks any trouble log signals. Managers can also develop a wide range of reports on how drivers have used the vehicle.

The EDR can even act as a driver reminder. Fleet managers can preset approved thresholds for speed, acceleration, and braking patterns. An alarm sounds in the vehicle when the driver performs an action that exceeds one of these parameters.

The EDR also monitors each trip's time, date, distance, speed, and idle time. It can create an accident log by recording 20 seconds of speed during a hard-breaking event. The driver can't circumvent the EDR by unplugging it as the unit also tracks its removal.

The Carchip Fleet allows faster troubleshooting. A manager or mechanic can quickly identify specific problems or trace intermittent indicator flashings. This eliminates guesswork and allows the manager to quickly decide where to send the vehicle for the proper repair.

For more information on how to order CarChip Fleet, manufactured by Davis Instruments, circle 13 on the reader service card, phone 800-678-3669, or visit their Web site at www.davisnet.com.