Fleet Technology: Definition, Benefits, and Types

Fleet technology encompasses the use of technology like telematics, fleet management software, electronic logging devices (ELDs), vehicle maintenance software, and more to manage and optimize a fleet of vehicles.

Fleet management technology is now being used for various purposes, including vehicle tracking, fuel management, maintenance scheduling, and driver behavior monitoring. This has led to huge growth in the fleet technology industry. In fact, the global fleet management market is expected to reach $52.4 billion by 2027.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the various types of fleet technology and the benefits they offer to fleets.

9 types of fleet technology

There are many different types of fleet technologies available, all of which offer numerous benefits. By implementing fleet technology, businesses can improve efficiency, reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve customer service — all while enhancing safety and compliance with regulations.

How fleets can use navigation telematics

In this section, we’ll take an in-depth look at the various types of fleet technologies.

1. GPS tracking

GPS tracking is used in fleet management to track the location and movement of vehicles. It works by using a network of satellites to determine the precise location of an asset equipped with a GPS receiver. This location data is transmitted to a central system, where it is then analyzed and used to improve fleet operations.

CalAmp provides real-time GPS tracking of vehicles, allowing businesses to track where their vehicles are in real time. Fleet managers can use GPS technology to:

  • Deliver driver location data
  • Track vehicle breakdowns
  • Identify congested routes to a specific destination
  • View traffic patterns, congestion, or construction zones
  • Keep customers informed with ETAs

Asset tracking via GPS on CalAmp application

2. Audio/video technology or AI dash cams

In 2021, there were 11,780 speeding-related deaths in the US. This is where AI dash cams and video solutions come to the rescue. With audio and video technology, fleet drivers can be prompted to drive safely with in-cab alerts if they are speeding, harshly braking, or tailgating.

CalAmp offers state-of-the-art dash cams that can be installed within vehicles. If a driver is driving harshly or speeding, CalAmp immediately relays an in-cab audio alert message to slow down. Simultaneously, the fleet manager also gets a message about harsh driving behavior so that they can coach drivers on better driving habits later.

Illustration of harsh driving behavior tracking

CalAmp also offers Driver Scorecards that measure drivers on various parameters so you can reward those who adhere to safe driving habits and identify opportunities for further driver training (thereby enhancing driver efficiency).

3. Telematics

Telematics is a combination of the words “telecom” and “informatics.” Telecom means transmitting data over a cellular network or satellite in real time. And informatics is how you process and store that data.

The global automotive telematics market reached $74.89 billion in 2022 (up from $59.19 in 2021). This shows the use of telematics is quite popular for vehicle telematics. Integrated telematics data allows fleet managers to track vehicles and gain actionable insights on many aspects like driver behavior, idle times, fuel consumption, and more.

Data is collected via a telematics device installed in the vehicle. This data is sent to a cloud server and is processed and analyzed by fleet management systems like CalAmp’s.

These systems have dashboards that allow businesses to generate reports on various dynamics of fleet management.

Image showing CalAmp reports

They can also be configured to send alerts via text or email on various activities, such as asset theft, ignition on/off, or if a trailer door is opened.

4. Electronic Logging Devices (ELD)

Electronic logging devices (ELD) allow drivers to track, manage, and share records of duty service (RODS) data. If fleet owners and drivers don’t comply with these, it can adversely affect their Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) scores and attract hefty fines.

CalAmp has a driver-friendly system that adheres to all US federal, intrastate, Canadian, Mexican, and other industry-specific regulations to resolve this. CalAmp’s system records information like speed, odometer readings, and driver’s inputs for duty status. It makes it easy for drivers to manage their Hours Of Service (HOS) logbooks, Driver Verification and Inspection Reports (DVIR), and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) Compliance.

As part of this system, we e also provide a 7” Android tablet that can tolerate a four-foot drop and is water resistant. It also has powerful readability features in humid temperatures and can be handled with gloves.

5. Fleet management and maintenance software

Fleet management and maintenance software like the CalAmp's use a combination of different technologies like telematics and GPS that allow fleets to:

  • Improve driver safety and performance
  • Track fuel consumption patterns
  • Maintain vehicles efficiently
  • Increase customer satisfaction

With such software, drivers can check weather conditions before leaving for dispatch, which may be useful in effectively planning routes.

Image of traffic and weather map

Furthermore, fleet managers can check on various maintenance parameters like tire pressure, tire temperature, the health status of a vehicle, and the probability of its breakdown so they can prevent potential hazards.

Additionally, an integrated fleet management system provides unparalleled visibility to closely track and monitor thousands of vehicles, pallets, and packages throughout your fleet.

Fleet management software dashboard

A core offering of fleet management systems is video telematics, which lets you capture short video clips of what happened in the seconds before, during, and after an incident. This is particularly helpful in exonerating drivers and expediting the claims process.

6. Fuel management

Fuel management technology lets you track and control fuel consumption. This helps reduce operational costs, decrease emissions, and maximize vehicle efficiency.

This technology is often part of fleet management systems, so you can measure parameters that impact fuel costs and usage.

For example, harsh driving habits and over-utilized vehicles waste a lot of fuel. The CalAmp Application can help you monitor driver behavior and create asset utilization alerts that notify you if a particular vehicle needs maintenance or is due for service. It also notifies you about vehicle idle times (another fuel wastage factor) so that you can take measures to improve fuel economy.

7. Temperature monitoring

Temperature monitoring technology allows fleets to monitor the temperature of their trailers and other cargo to ensure that goods are being transported safely and within agreed-upon temperature ranges.

With this technology, fleet owners can get real-time alerts in cases of temperature alarms or deviation from preset parameters.

This technology can ensure temperature-sensitive items such as perishable goods or hazardous goods are maintained at safe temperatures for the duration of their transport.

CalAmp's temperature monitoring system

With CalAmp, you can monitor the temperature in real time and proactively intervene to prevent the loss of vital assets. Further, our environmental sensors notify you about shock, humidity, tilt, light exposure, and condensation levels to protect valuable packages.

Temperature monitoring capabilities can go beyond just the trailer's inside. Fleet technology can also help you monitor your trailers’ wheel-end temperatures and get notified if they reach unsafe levels — so drivers can avoid potentially dangerous situations on the road.

8. Geofencing

Geofencing is a technology that uses GPS and other technologies to create a predetermined virtual perimeter for a real-world geographic area. This area can be a customer site, home, depots, everyday routes, or unauthorized territories. This allows you to monitor driver locations and protect against drivers using vehicles for personal use.

CalAmp allows you to create geofences to see activities around your drivers, their deliveries, and even customers. Then, reports and alerts allow you to determine if a driver has strayed from an established route (and why).

CalAmp's geofencing technology

You can also create geofences around unapproved gas stations so drivers fuel up only at pre-authorized places. Through breach alerts, you can easily detect theft and track time and attendance.

9. Asset tracking

Asset tracking technology is used to track and manage physical assets such as equipment, vehicles, and inventory. It prevents cargo and tool loss.

Often, drivers may leave behind tools like ladders, signal meters, packages, or pallet jacks at a site. To collect these, they have to make extra trips. Or worse, they risk delaying the job or project if they lose the tool entirely. To avoid this, you can attach CalAmp’s proximity sensors to these assets and pair them with the vehicle’s telematics device. If the tagged item goes out of range of the vehicle, CalAmp notifies the driver. The system can also alert the driver about the asset’s last known location.

Try CalAmp’s comprehensive fleet management solutions

Fleet technology allows access to a range of data and insights, enabling managers to make informed decisions and improve fleet management.

With unified telematics data, driver monitoring systems, predictive fleet maintenance, functionalities, and more, the CalAmp Application can help businesses improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety and compliance.

CalAmp comes with a host of fleet technology solutions like telematics, video intelligence, vehicle maintenance management, and asset tracking — to know more about what suits your fleet business the best, schedule a demo today.

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