Commercial Vehicle Fleet Management and Information Systems: Technical Memorandum 3: ITS Fleet Management Technology Resource Guide

NHTSA · 1997 · ROSA P / United States. Federal Highway Administration

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Summary

This technical memorandum, prepared by Cambridge Systematics, Inc. for the Federal Highway Administration in 1997, serves as a resource guide for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies used in commercial vehicle fleet management. The document addresses the growing need for carriers to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer service through real-time information exchange. It categorizes fleet management technologies into four primary groups: Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems, mobile communication systems, on-board computers (OBCs), and routing and dispatching software. The guide provides detailed fact sheets for each technology, including definitions, operational mechanisms, market applications, costs, vendors, and future outlooks. The report offers a comprehensive analysis of AVL systems, distinguishing between satellite-based and ground-based infrastructure technologies. Satellite AVL systems include the Global Positioning System (GPS), geostationary satellites, and Lower-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. GPS is highlighted for its global coverage and high accuracy (within 100 feet), though it suffers from signal blockage in dense urban areas. Geostationary systems offer global coverage but require powerful transmitters and have lower accuracy (approximately 3,000 feet). LEO systems, such as those developed by Orbcomm, provide two-way data communication and trailer tracking capabilities with accuracies ranging from 100 to 3,000 feet. Ground-based systems include Location and Monitoring Service (LMS), dead reckoning, LORAN-C, signposts, and Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC). LMS and dead reckoning are noted for superior performance in urban environments, while LORAN-C is identified as obsolete by the year 2000. The document also outlines mobile communication technologies, including Mobile Satellite Services (MSS), Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR), cellular systems, and paging, which facilitate real-time data exchange between drivers, dispatchers, and external parties. Key findings indicate that satellite AVL systems are the dominant technology for the trucking industry due to their global coverage and competitive costs, particularly for long-haul carriers. In contrast, ground-based systems are more prevalent among short-haul carriers and metropolitan fleets, such as transit and courier services, where urban signal interference affects satellite performance. Capital costs for AVL systems vary significantly, ranging from $100 to $3,000 per vehicle for satellite units, while ground-based transceivers cost less than $500. The report cites survey data from the American Trucking Association Foundation, noting that AVL adoption is most common among large, national, for-hire truckload fleets. The significance of this resource lies in its detailed comparison of emerging ITS technologies, providing stakeholders with critical information on vendor landscapes, cost structures, and technological limitations. The document concludes that AVL systems will become more widespread due to declining prices, the completion of the GPS constellation, and the development of advanced LEO and cellular-based location technologies.

Key finding

Satellite AVL systems provide global coverage with accuracies ranging from 100 to 3,000 feet, while ground-based systems offer superior urban accuracy but are limited by incomplete infrastructure coverage.

Methodology

review

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