Telematics Provider Adapts Instant Verbal Driver Mentoring For On-/Off-Highway Trucks

After off-road deployments, a windshield-mounted device that provides truck drivers real-time verbal mentoring about speeding violations, aggressive vehicle maneuvering and seat belt use is being adapted for on-highway and on/off-highway conditions

 

Sources: inthinc Technology Solutions, Inc., Salt Lake City; Valvoline Co., Lexington, Ky.; CP staff

After off-road deployments, a windshield-mounted device that provides truck drivers real-time verbal mentoring about speeding violations, aggressive vehicle maneuvering and seat belt use is being adapted for on-highway and on/off-highway conditions. Developers of the GPS- and wireless communications-enabled tiwi technology underscore the link between changing driver behavior and reducing accidents, brake wear and fuel consumption.

The latter benefit dovetails with the launch of Fuel Proof Guarantee, a program through which tiwi developer, inthinc Technology Solutions, and Valvoline aim to quantify truck fuel mileage improvements stemming from on-board driver mentoring. It covers a 120-day measurement period and is being offered to on-/off- and on-highway fleet operators with a minimum 30-truck demonstration.

The program requires trucks to run Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme SAE 5W-40 full synthetic engine oil and Syn Gard FE gear oil. Valvoline and tiwi representatives work with fleet maintenance managers to establish baseline data tracked through the onboard device, which can draw from many truck functions that are subject to electronic monitoring, including seat belt engagement, vehicle speed, and braking. Devices effect verbal coaching upon triggering events–i.e. failure to buckle up, speeding, and unnecessary acceleration indicated by abrupt or erratic braking.

The tiwi platform uses a proprietary database, Speed by Street, comparing vehicle speed against individual roads’ posted limit. It provides managers real-time alerts via phone call, text message or e-mail regarding certain infractions or incidents. A variety of reports are available through a Web portal to notify management regarding driver performance, vehicle positioning and operating trends. Drivers are given a grace period to correct certain behaviors before they are recorded and reported to management.