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Our Customer Stories
The Practical Importance of Fuel Level Sensors
As is well known, fuel level sensors are an additional feature within GPS monitoring systems. Companies engaged in road transport often underestimate the added value that fuel level sensors can provide.
Naturally, in the context of logistics, a truck’s location is of primary importance, and a great deal depends on it. If, upon logging into the Metrotec portal in the morning, you discover that for whatever reason the vehicle’s progress has been less than planned, the logistics manager must make extra efforts to ensure that delivery schedules and contractual obligations are still met. This adds further pressure to an already heavy workload and high stress level, potentially leading to negative consequences for the company. In the worst-case scenario, it may even result in the customer terminating the transport contract.
The importance of fuel probes is not always fully understood. They are often seen merely as redundant tools for monitoring fuel consumption, duplicating measurements already available through standard tracking packages that come with the vehicle purchase. Fuel consumption data can also be viewed from the onboard computer. That is true — such monitoring is possible.ˇ
However, the real added value lies in security.
We have experienced this firsthand on several occasions. Along with installing fuel probes, we also equipped our vehicles with an alarm horn that arms automatically and activates whenever the fuel level drops.
The most recent incident occurred in Germany, in a public parking area alongside the highway — a place that could reasonably be considered safe. During the night, the driver was awakened by a deafening blast of the alarm horn, which could mean only one thing: thieves. And indeed, that was the case. The criminals were so startled by the sudden alarm that, as they fled toward the woods, they left behind all of their equipment.
The next morning began for our driver as usual — morning coffee, brushing his teeth, and the peace of mind that he would be able to continue his journey on time. This time, however, there was one difference. Returning from the restroom, he noticed the driver of the truck parked nearby marching angrily around his vehicle, shouting into his phone in despair. That man’s morning was far darker: his fuel tanks had been drained completely, and he now had no choice but to inform his logistics department of the situation.
I strongly recommend these devices. Their cost is insignificant compared to the value of the fuel being protected. Another important factor is the time saved — time that would otherwise be wasted dealing with someone else’s mess, a delay which, from the client’s perspective, cannot simply be blamed on force majeure.
Arvi Laht, Erste Transport
Bird control cannon
Tallinn Airport uses gas cannon for bird control. The cannon are now controlled through a map application. Since the airport’s territory is large and the cannon are located at considerable distances from one another, the earlier system of radio-link control ran into problems due to signal coverage limitations. A promising option to solve the problems was to use our GIS map application that shows cannon locations to also transmit control signals to the cannon. This would allow the entire process to be recorded and, where needed, replayed for airlines as well as for regulatory authorities inspecting the airport.
Metrotec also developed a tailor-made map application that showed the locations of our cannon, their operating status and also allowed firing control signals to be sent to them using smartphones regardless of our own location at the time. This made it possible to activate the cannon directly from the trackmaster’s vehicle whenever needed.
Metrotec also developed a tailor-made map application that showed the locations of our cannon, their operating status and also allowed firing control signals to be sent to them using smartphones regardless of our own location at the time. This made it possible to activate the cannon directly from the trackmaster’s vehicle whenever needed.
Our collaboration with Metrotec was smooth and effective because of their proactive and creative approach. We are happy to conclude that we’ve succeeded in developing a custom-made solution that has to date operated reliably for a number of years. We have also employed the solution at Tartu Airport, where the cannon, in addition to our own employees, can be operated by the air traffic controllers of Lennuliiklusteeninduse [Air Traffic Service] plc from their desks in the air traffic control tower.
F-Track web interface
Positioning
- Continuous realtime info about location and tasks of vehicles
- Different base maps
- Searching the map
- Creating and managing POI’s
- Playback a route
Clear overview of the fleet – moving and standing, working and idle vehicles. Were the chosen route and speed optimal? How long it took to load a cargo? A route displayed on map provides exact answer. Even better – use playback and follow the route.
Two-way communication with drivers
Garmin’s navigator, assigning tasks and destinations, estimated time of arrival .. Remotely controlled navigation terminal near drivers seat creates two-way data exchange between office and driver, including map support.
A destination marker (POI) on a map in office is transferred with a mouseclick to the drivers navigation terminal. Maximal understanding through minimal effort! The driver accepts the task, navigation device guides the driver. The office sees, in addition to vehicles location and busyness, destination data and Estimated Time of Arrival. The yourney can be observed in real time. Precisely determined destinations save time and fuel. A task specified on map combined with navigation terminals directions makes drivers work simple and stress-free. In addition to automated messages, the navigation terminal enables two-way communication between office and driver. Simple and fast communication increases flexibility in reacting to events – from an unexpected job to a broken tire.
Booking
- Joint use of vehicles
- Booking of a vehicle for a certain driver for a certain, determined period
- Opening of the central locking from the driver’s phone during the period of the booking
Joint use is one of the options for optimization of the size of the vehicle fleet. The booking system allows the user to book a vehicle for an upcoming period and provides a good overview of the general use of the jointly used resource. Depending on the application of the device, the central locking and alarm system can be controlled from the user’s mobile phone during the period of the booking.
Graphs, tables, charts
Data is presented in comparative tables to increase clarity. Sort vehicles by fuel consumption, mileage or any other meter.
A data presented as chart or graph obtains a new level of clearance. A moment explains what happens in vehicles fuel tank. Dynamic scale will present clearly a minuscule fuel loss.
Reporting
F-Track system produces continuous high quality data stream by registring periodically readings from connected sensors, detecting changes in the readings and storing 24/7 movement history.
Processing, filtering and concentrating this data provides users with different reports. The reports reflect driving, waiting and idle periods, work and rest time and movement speed as well as mileage, refueling, average fuel consumption per mileage and working hour. Interactive user interface enables odometer based task diary. User may export reports as needed in html, pdf, csv or xls formats.
Data from vehicles computer
Acceleration, deceleration, use of cruise control, tachometer readings – they are all variables in the equatation of average fuel consumption.
Everybody is trying to make sure, that fleet is exploited correctly and sustainably. Readings from on-board computer allow to appraise driving habits and proper maintenance.
Data export
F-Track system produces precise and reliable data. It is suitable for analysing business processes as well as payroll calculations. The data of F-Track system is compatible with value management software and accounting programs.
F-Track API is a convenient tool for integrating with another info system. Formulate a query and “mine” quality data directly from our database be it working hours, mileage or something else. A little low level programming work and entire import is automatic and “tailor made”.
Alerting
It is important to be operatively informed about problems. Most popular alarm is currently SMS message indicating fuel loss. Operative reaction has often disturbed fuel thieves, occasionally allowing to capture them.
Also, it is important to stay on the right side of law – be it insurance, routine maintenance or mandatory resting hours. Alerting system allows to divide events into different categories and to inform directly respective responsible persons. The number of receivers is unlimited and different receivers can be assigned to individual vehicles, so that every E-mail and SMS reaches correct person – be it security alert, fuel loss, servise message or important message from driver.
Users with different privileges
By creating and administering user accounts you can provide workers, business parners, clients, etc. with different levels of access to the data of F-Track system.
Somebody wants a certain report about certain vehicle. Somebody wants to track a cargo. Somebody wants to see exact hours they were billed for. Flexible system of sub-accounts with different profiles and privileges combined with tying different users to different vehicles allows for taylor made customisation of access to data.
Geoareas
- Polygonal or circular
- Visitation reports based on areas, points of interest, or countries
- Assembly notification in the event of arrival of several objects in one area
Circular or polygonal areas can be used to mark loading and unloading locations, mineral deposits, fields, or any other different territories on the map. Visitation reports of areas enable to conveniently count loads, measure the time spent on removing snow, ploughing, or providing another service.
The user can request to be notified of a higher than required number of vehicles assembling in a certain area.
Work statuses
It has always been advised to use accurate measurement and analysis as the prerequisites for efficient expansion.
First, we should divide the work or service process into statuses.
The division and naming of the statuses as well as the number of different statuses vary in the case of each specific occasion.
Identification of drivers
- Measurement of the working time spent outside of the office
- Recording of working time in the case of shift work
- Use of special machinery by different operators
- Handy driver-based reporting
Accurate recording of working time and driver-based reporting are both important functions. Seasonal works are usually performed in several shifts. It is quite common that special machinery is used by several different drivers. The machines are equipped with readers, which register the drivers’ chips. The codes of the chips are associated with the drivers in the database in the server. It is possible to check any time who is currently driving and who has been using a certain vehicle in a previous period.
Measurement of temperatures
- Notification of detection of limit temperature
- Monitoring temperature in cargo space
- Use of up to 8 thermometers in one unit
- Temperature log for a customer of transport service
In several applications it is necessary to monitor temperature of the environment or to receive alarm upon detection of limit value of the temperature. Metrotec enables to use up to 8 thermometers with a single unit. Permissible total length of connection cables up to 40 m.
Diagrams show the dynamics of changes in the temperature during former data history. Data history indicates clearly, when a specific temperature was measured. Comparing it with the driving situation, location of the vehicle and data of on-board systems, it is possible to understand causes of any situations and mutually related circumstances.
Tachograph
- Automatic copying of the data of tachograph and driver’s card independently of the location of the driver and the vehicle
- Automatic archiving of data
- Web-based access to files
- Comprehensive reports of the operations, violations and mistakes of the driver
Notice of the event of copying of data in the tachograph
Proceeding from the law, the transporter is obliged to copy data from the tachograph once a quarter and from the driver’s card once a month. This task is well suitable for software. This removes the need to remember a bothersome obligation and spares time on account of performing of the operation. The user shall specify a period for each vehicle, upon expiration of which data are copied and archived automatically. Notice of downloading will also remain in the tachograph. Detailed reports are always available in the web.
Devices
Adapter
The adapter is designed for calibration and setup of the sensor. It has a Windows user interface, USB 2.0 port and FTDI chipset.
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