27 Percent of Fleet Operators using Vehicle Tracking Technology

More than one in four UK fleets is using tracking within their vehicle operations according to new research from fleet solutions provider DigiCore. The results from the Vehicle Tracking Survey 2008 – conducted amongst 150 fleet decision makers and influencers – also claim three quarters of companies using a tracking system are achieving value from the technology.

In particular, the research found that uptake was greatest amongst commercial vehicle fleets (30 per cent) and fleet operators with more than 100 vehicles (31 per cent). Furthermore, penetration was particularly high in the utilities (86 per cent), logistics and road transport (40 per cent), and service management (38 per cent) sectors.

Fleet operators achieving payback from their investment in vehicle tracking are achieving a range of benefits including increased productivity (54 per cent), reduced costs (44 per cent), and fleet performance (46 per cent). In terms of reduced costs, fleet operators are now achieving on average a 12 per cent saving on their fuel bill and lowering overtime claims by 13 per cent.

In fact, 85 per cent of vehicle tracking users said they were satisfied with their current solutions provider. In many cases, a strong relationship was critical to receiving an effective vehicle tracking solution, and service levels, supplier responsiveness, and back-office support were actually highlighted more often than competitive pricing and product functionality.

However, some negativity towards the vehicle tracking sector does exists with 35 per cent of respondents not using a tracking system suggesting that the reputation of the industry was being affected by the financial viability of operators, overselling and technology concerns.

Of those companies not using vehicle tracking, more than half of have considered investing in the technology, but over a third are still unaware of the benefits it can provide. In addition, only 48 per cent of these fleet operators thought tracking could benefit their business, and only 44 per cent believed it could offer a return on investment.

Commenting on the findings, Tom O’Connor, Managing Director of DigiCore UK Ltd said: “The results of the Vehicle Tracking Survey 2008, suggest that an increasing number of fleet operators are utilising tracking technology to better manage and control their vehicle operations. However, there is still much work to be done by solutions providers to enhance the image industry and develop systems that best meet the needs of the fleet sector.

DigiCore Group CEO Nick Vlok remarked “This survey reconfirms trends reported by our other 31 operations around the global who are all experiencing rapid growth in the implementation of our range of awarding winning C-track GPS Fleet management solutions ( www.ctrack.com ) enjoying the accompanying benefits”.

A full copy of the results can be downloaded at www.digicore.com

ABOUT VEHICLE TRACKING SURVEY 2008

The 2008 Vehicle Tracking Survey was conducted amongst 150 fleet influencers and decision makers within the UK. The respondents were made up of professionals that are either responsible or influence car, van, commercial vehicle or mixed fleet operations for their companies. The Survey was designed to measure the uptake of vehicle tracking amongst fleet operators, how the technology is being used, and what barriers are preventing more companies adopting a solution.

ABOUT DIGICORE

DigiCore Holdings is a Johannesburg Stock Exchange Listed group, a global company with more than 22 years’ experience developing and implementing end-to-end vehicle tracking and fleet management solutions. Its advanced C-track technology is fitted to almost 300,000 vehicles operating in 32 countries across 5 continents.

DigiCore Group works in partnership with its customers to develop solutions that deliver measurable business and operational benefits by providing total visibility and control of mobile assets and mobile work forces. DigiCore utilises a range of vehicle location, fleet management, satellite navigation and security tools, to provide commercial vehicle, van and car fleet operators with scaleable solutions that offer flexibility, reliability and functionality.

Driver killed as car burns after crashing over middle island on N1 + long weekend stats

At approximately 23h48 on Thursday night, 24 April 2008, Netcare 911 responded to a report of a serious collision and fire on the N1 northbound just before the Malibongwe (R512) off ramp, Randburg.

Tyre marks indicated that a vehicle travelling on the N1 southbound skidded off the highway and crossed over the unprotected middle island (no centre armco/crash barrier) resulting in a collision with another car travelling in a northerly direction. The one car sustained significant impact damage and caught fire and was totally burnt out. Fire fighters extinguisher the fire but tragically the remains of one occupant, believed to be the driver, were recovered from the wreck. The driver of the other vehicle (pic 9635) was in a serious but stable condition and was transported by ambulance to hospital for further treatment.

This incident was attended to by the private ambulance services, fire department and the Metro Police as well as the Metro Polices specialist “Accident Investigation Unit”. The highway was closed to traffic for more than two hours and motorists were diverted onto the Malibongwe (R512) off ramp to bypass the scene.

Many fatalities:
This section of the N1 highway is notorious for fatal collisions. There are no protective armco barriers between the two highways which travel in opposite directions and this frequently results in partial or head-on collisions when vehicles cross over the middle island and collide with oncoming traffic. The previous fatal collision on the N1 (as a result of a vehicle crossing over the middle island) between William Nicol drive (R511) and Malibongwe drive (R512) occurred on 26 March 2008 and on that occasion 1 person died at the scene, 1 critical patient was airlifted and 2 other patients sustained serious injuries.
Emergency services believe that a protective barrier between the two highways would most certainly reduce the number of head-on collisions and possibly prevent the deaths of innocent road users as it is almost impossible to swerve out and avoid a head-on collision with a vehicle that crosses over the middle island only meters in front of you while both vehicles are travelling at relatively high speeds.
Although there are sections which have armco barriers, the majority of the N1 between the Buccleuch Interchange and the Grasmere toll plaza does not offer centre island crash/armco barriers.

Long weekend collision stats:
At the same time, since midnight 25 April 2008, the Netcare 911 call centre has dispatched emergency vehicles to almost 60 collisions throughout South Africa. Although his number is not particularly high, the national roads will probably be busier than normal as many people are expected to take full advantage of the upcoming two day working week.
Drivers are encouraged to rest thoroughly before undertaking long journeys, stop and stretch/rest regularly (every 2 hours or 200km), ensure all occupants of the vehicle are wearing their safety belts, switch on your vehicles headlights to make yourself more visible to other road users, do not speed, do not drink and drive, always keep a safe following distance and be on the lookout for pedestrians.

Regards,

[ Information provided by Netcare 911 to the Road Safety & Arrive Alive Blog]

NETCARE 911
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