About Opportunity:

Businesses that are concerned with the use of large numbers of vehicles can create significant efficiencies by having access to instantaneous information on how their vehicles are being used. Advanced vehicle monitoring systems can help businesses understand how their fleet is being utilised so as to identify operational efficiencies and minimise running costs.

There is increasing awareness among fleet managers that they need to reduce fuel costs, in light of the increasing price of fuel, and achieve CO2 emissions’ targets. By managing driving behaviour, fleet managers can also reduce other costs such as out-of-hours access to vehicles, inefficient driving behaviour and speeding fines. Monitoring systems can be particularly beneficial to managers of electric vehicles as they can provide the detailed information required to justify their purchase and use. Monitoring systems can also help in the pricing for insurance policies in the new ‘pay-as-you-drive’ market and in response to changes in the regulations for the elimination of gender-based pricing. Fleet management systems currently available are not designed specifically for the tracking of electric vehicles or monitoring of sub-systems e.g. batteries. Currently the University of Strathclyde’s DLog system is installed and operational on 39 electric vehicles in and around Glasgow.

The Vehicle Data Logger (DLog) is a complete vehicle tracking and performance monitoring system which is capable of monitoring conventional fuelled fleets as well as modern electric vehicles. It has a powerful low cost generic processing platform which can interface with multiple vehicle CAN (Controller Area Network) systems, accelerometers, GPS location systems and other analogue and digital sensors, providing the capability to produce relevant real time information (including real-time vehicle location, drive performance and vehicle diagnostics). An optional GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) modem enables remote data uploading of summary information and real-time vehicle tracking. Offline software provides comprehensive data analysis and automated vehicle reporting, including the mapping of the vehicle’s routes. All detailed drive and diagnostic information is recorded for fleet management and maintenance purposes. This system offers more comprehensive monitoring functionality as well as feedback in a unique fashion to both the driver and the fleet manager.