Title: POSITION REPORTING AND STATUS MONITORING OF UNACCOMPANIED LOADS
Abstract: The Global Positioning System (GPS) has become a crucial element in today's fleet management systems in a search for increased control and efficiency enhancement in transport operations. And so has a suite of mobile communication systems, whether terrestrial or via satellite. Over the last 15 years these systems have become more advanced and lower in cost, smaller in size and more reliable, which made them ready for integration into on-board computer systems. Nearly all of the on-board system suppliers have developed solutions with driver interface terminals in order to allow data communications between the dispatcher and the driver for logistical reasons. For fixed vehicle combinations accompanied by well-trained and motivated drivers it certainly makes sense to concentrate the mobile communications system in the cab. However, many transport operators do not have their own drivers and/or motor vehicles, so their value-added customer services totally depend on the facilities offered by the contracted party. The application development of dedicated systems for the position reporting and status monitoring of unaccompanied loads has so far been kept merely untouched for a number of very valid reasons of which the two most important are price level and power requirements. Other factors of importance are very low maintenance and virtually invisible installation. Until recently system costs were seen as too high in order to justify installations on trailers, swap bodies and in particular containers, let alone the specific packaging required. However, this situation is now changing. (A) For the covering abstract see ITRD E106484.
Publication Year: 2000
Publication Date: 2000-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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