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Improve your drivers' adherence to schedules and increase efficiency and productivity with automatic vehicle location (AVL), a computer-based vehicle tracking system. New strides have been made in vehicle tracking, using GPS, allowing you to know the actual position of each of your company's vehicles on the road. AVL technology helps improve timed transfers, makes passenger information more accessible, and increases the data available for transit management and planning.
Tracking technologies allow you to record every stop your drivers make and their locations, explains Benjamin Van Avery, account representative for Advance Tracking Technologies. “It gives the drivers full accountability,” he says. “The equipment records when they leave and the route they travel. It shows each one of their stops and time they spent at those locations.” AVL keeps everyone honest and accountable for all their actions throughout the day, leading to less wasted time and increased profits.
GPS vehicle-tracking systems vary in price, size, level of sophistication and the included components. Price depends on system features, which can range from fairly basic to comprehensive.
Liquid transport
Fleet Management Solutions has two AVL systems that can increase productivity. The company says that its Ultrasonic Load Volume Sensing Option, PCVS-PRO, can detect presence and volume of virtually any material, including liquids. It can keep track of the amount of chemicals being applied in a specific area, temperature of the chemicals and evaporation rate.
Fleet Management also has a Heavy Equipment Tracking Module, the HET-300. This includes a GPS receiver and a two-way satellite communications modem. Designed to provide location tracking and management for vehicles that operate in harsh environments, the module is in a rugged, weatherproof enclosure and is designed to be vibration-resistant. The unit can be connected to additional on-board sensors, enabling alerts of various engine conditions.
For more information, contact Fleet Management Solutions Inc., 1150 Osos St., Suite 110, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, 805/787-0508, www.fmsgps.com.
Complete accountability
Advance Tracking Technologies' Shadow Tracker Premier allows easier access to time and travel information. The system monitors speed, has automatic wireless downloads, and documents actual routes driven, mileage and stops made. The company says that the tracker installs easily in any vehicle.
For more information, contact Advanced Tracking Technologies Inc. (ATTI), 6001 Savoy, Suite 600, Houston, TX 77036, 800/279-0035, www.advantrack.com.
Worldwide watch
Tracking coverage is available anywhere in the world with the Satellite Tracker V2.0 from TeleType Company. The tracker mounts easily to a vehicle and can be programmed remotely. With this tracker, you can use any Windows CE computer as a navigation and communications terminal. Because you control the base station software, you don't need to pay for access to anyone's Web site to track your vehicle.
For more information, contact TeleType Co. Inc., 20 Park Plaza, 5th floor, Boston, MA 02116, 800/717-4478, www.teletype.com.
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