The fleet management industry has seen massive development in the technologies it employs and the methodologies it follows. Not too long ago, managing a fleet was a precarious job. Many components were still analogue, and many processes were manual. This meant that managing a fleet of vehicles was a tedious task, often filled with human error.
The solution was telematics, a field combining telecommunications, electrical engineering, computer science, and vehicular technologies to send, receive, and store data remotely. This proved to modernise the industry, formalising many protocols and providing a standardised system that can be trusted.
Telematics has helped reduce operational and maintenance costs while increasing the overall safety of the fleet with both real-time and offline driver coaching. This has reduced, and in some cases completely removed, many inconsistencies in the industry, becoming the core of fleet management.
An interesting innovation has been in the video space, where technological leaps and bounds have been made. With the accelerating adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), new fleet management systems are set to expand their video diagnostics and driver behaviour monitors. Video telematics is now the industry standard that all fleet management systems are measured against.
In this article, you will:
-
What video telematics is
-
Why fleet managers need it
-
How Cartrack is the best solution for video telematics
What Is Video Telematics and How Does It Work
Video telematics is the audio-visual component of telematics. It combines telematics data with high-definition video footage recorded on dashcams, enabling fleet and risk managers to better understand driver behaviour and provide personalised driver coaching.
Video telematics uses sensors and Dashcams to provide visibility into driver behaviour, and it is often used as part of driver safety and risk management programs. Sensors that are built into telematics devices detect key events such as speeding, aggressive braking, harsh acceleration, and idle time. The Dashcams record the event, making the footage available to fleet managers and drivers.
Video telematics is built on two main components, namely data collection and real-time monitoring. It is these capabilities that allow for a comprehensive look into driver behaviour and fleet performance.
Today’s video telematics generally share these basic components:
- Several video cameras
- Front-facing camera mounted to the dashboard or windshield
- Rear-facing camera
- Interior camera to document the driver and cabin, additional cameras for side views
- Telematics technology either embedded in the primary camera or the standalone
- Wireless module in the telematics device or camera to transmit data and video footage
- Software platform to process and analyse data
- End-user application
In order to understand video telematics, two aspects need to be addressed, namely; data collection and real-time monitoring. These two features make up the foundation of how this software works.
Let’s get a detailed look into what these aspects are and how they work in video telematics.
Data Collection and Processing
Data collection is the first step in the process. AI-powered dashcams installed in fleet vehicles capture high-definition video footage of both the road and the driver. Equipped with sensors, these cameras detect and record key metrics such as speed, fast acceleration, harsh braking and location. Telematics devices add another layer by collecting data from GPS receivers, engine interfaces and accelerometers, providing detailed information on vehicle movements and performance. Detailed information on vehicle movements and performance is collected, laying the groundwork for further analysis.
All video telematics data is stored in a cloud, where it can be retrieved by the fleet manager whenever they need to review it. This data can be used to generate reports which offer insights into overall fleet performance. Storing data long-term allows the business to have a more comprehensive view of how the business operates and also provides material that can be used for coaching and employee development.
Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts
A key element of video telematics is the real-time monitoring capabilities that it offers fleet managers. With video telematics, a manager can live-stream a driver’s journey from beginning to end uninterrupted. This easy access and transparency gives managers peace of mind and holds drivers accountable for their actions, should they transgress while driving.
The video detection technology sends alerts to the fleet manager, notifying them of the driver’s particular bad behaviour. The manager can then directly contact the driver to correct their behaviour. These alerts and corrections foster better driving habits, and they provide the correct footage to defend your drivers from any false claims. The recordings can prove their innocence, increasing driver retention and reducing unnecessary legal costs.
Why you need Video Telematics
In order for a fleet to function optimally, drivers need to be performing at their best. Driver behaviour is a significant factor in how successfully a fleet operates. This is why it is important to make sure that they are monitored and assisted on their journeys.
A study of more than 10,000 crashes estimated video telematics could reduce fatal and injury crashes by up to 35%. This highlights how crucial this technology is in modern-day fleet management.
Why is Video Telematics Good for Businesses:
Numerous benefits come with having video telematics technology in your fleet. Most of the technology in telematics systems incorporates the same features, which offer a range of benefits, these include:
- Enhanced Fleet Safety: AI-powered cameras detect and alert drivers of risky behaviours like distracted driving or harsh braking, reducing accident risks.
- Improved Operational Efficiency: Real-time video and data insights allow businesses to monitor vehicle performance and identify areas for cost-saving.
- Driver Accountability: Video telematics creates a transparent environment by monitoring drivers’ actions, and promoting responsible behaviour.
- Prevention of Cargo Theft: Live video monitoring helps deter and address theft, ensuring cargo safety.
- Proof in Disputes: Recorded footage provides indisputable evidence in the event of accidents or fraudulent claims, saving time and money.
- Cost Reduction in Claims and Repairs: Proactive risk management lowers insurance premiums and repair costs by preventing avoidable accidents.
Let’s see what sets Cartrack’s video telematics apart
Cartrack is an industry leader in video telematics, offering AI-powered smart dashcams. Our AI technology allows us to monitor and detect erratic driver behaviour such as distracted driving and fatigue. These solutions have been a boon to the fleet management sector, a space where we serve a diverse client base in 23 countries across various industries.
In addition to video telematics, Cartrack offers other features that integrate with your fleet’s needs. Our offering is comprehensive and includes many cutting-edge technologies, these include:
Front Collision Warning
Our ADAS cameras track the distance to the vehicle in front of a driver’s vehicle, alerting if it is too close to help avoid a bumper crash. By constantly monitoring the space in front of the car, the system can detect if the vehicle is getting too close to the one in front. If it detects a potentially dangerous situation where a collision is imminent, it will trigger an alert to the driver. This early warning system is designed to prevent rear-end accidents, which are among the most common types of crashes.
Smoking Detection
Our DMS camera detects the moment a driver is smoking and triggers an event. Smoking can be distracting and reduce control over the vehicle. This technology works by detecting the telltale signs of smoking, such as the motion of a cigarette or the presence of smoke in the cabin. If smoking is detected, an event is triggered, alerting fleet managers or the system to this behaviour.
Distracted or fatigued driving
The camera tracks the position or orientation of the driver’s head and eyes. If the driver is looking away from the road, it will alert the driver and generate an event. The camera continually monitors whether the driver is looking at the road or diverting their attention elsewhere, such as looking at a GPS screen, reading, or engaging with passengers. If the driver’s eyes stray from the road for too long, the system will send an alert. In cases of fatigue, if the driver shows signs of dozing off or their head starts to tilt in a way that signals drowsiness, the system will recognise this as well.
Mobile phone use detection
The AI camera detects whether a driver is talking on their mobile phone by ear instead of via a Bluetooth handset. This is to minimise distraction and give the driver more control over the vehicle. The AI-powered camera is able to distinguish between hands-free Bluetooth usage and holding a phone to the ear, which is an indication of distracted driving. If the system detects that the driver is holding their phone, it sends an alert, notifying the driver of the danger and encouraging them to use hands-free devices instead.
Yawning
Our camera detects yawning, which if too frequent can indicate extreme fatigue for your driver and delay their reaction time. This feature is particularly beneficial for drivers on long trips, overnight shifts, or those who may be experiencing disrupted sleep patterns. By proactively addressing signs of drowsiness, this technology helps keep drivers safe and reduces the risk of fatigue-related accidents, which are often the most serious type.
Camera-covering detection
If the driver covers the camera to prevent visibility the fleet manager will be alerted. This ensures that the integrity of the monitoring system is maintained and that the safety of the driver and others on the road is not compromised. The ability to quickly identify when a camera is being tampered with or obstructed is crucial for ensuring that the safety features of the vehicle are always operational.
As the leading fleet management and video telematics region in Africa, South Africa is poised to be the market leader in this new telematics offering. The penetration rate in the total population of fleet vehicles used by businesses is estimated to increase from 47.3 percent in 2023 to 70.0 percent in 2028. In this ever-changing world, it is important to stay up to date with industry developments and innovations. Video telematics is the current reality for fleet management and looks to be its future as well. A wise decision would be to adopt this technology as soon as possible in order for your business and fleet to be fully optimised.
Video telematics offers an extra layer of certainty for your business, contact us today to learn more about how we can take your fleet management from better to best.
