Trailer Tracking Temperature Controlled Vehicles

Vehicle protection and mobile asset security are core issues for any fleet operation. In today’s tough economy where rising fuel costs eat into balance sheet margins, a road freight business of any size can be severely affected by the loss of an entire vehicle’s cargo. No more so than when a refrigerated vehicle is compromised by failure to properly monitor and secure an entire consignment. An advanced trailer tracking system is a vital investment that can also be applied to warehouse storage.

Most fleet operations of any size today need to be able to offer their customers an extensive service to cover most types of large consignments. Invariably, this means a degree of specialisation, and a modern fleet is likely to possess a number of different vehicle categories to adequately handle the various types of cargo.

The global frozen, chilled and perishables distribution industry is a tough competitive market. So, the vital necessity for deploying constant, operational monitoring is nowhere more relevant than when applied to temperature sensitive consignments such as chilled meat and fish, fresh fruit and vegetables, flower bulbs and pharmaceuticals carried by a refrigerated fleet vehicle.

Meeting delivery time slots are crucial to national and international supply chains, yet it is estimated that only around a half of all containers are delivered on time. The implementation of an integrated fleet gps tracking system, customised to precise refrigerated vehicle requirements, provides constant contact for fleet controllers and their drivers, and critical customer service reporting on long distance deliveries.

However, effective deployment of a trailer tracking solution involves a number of important issues which affect vehicle and cargo security. The capability for a vehicle tracking system to actually ensure the safe and secure delivery via a trailer vehicle, whether box container or curtain-sided, requires a number of key working functions to be considered.

Firstly, it is essential for guaranteed 24/7 security that a realtime vehicle tracking device will enable the interchangeable container to be constantly monitored when no longer attached to the vehicle cab or when temporarily left unattended by the driver.

The second major concern is a failure to maintain the required temperature level, which is a huge financial risk for all parties concerned when relying upon the secure delivery of perishable goods by refrigerated vehicle. A dedicated live vehicle tracking system can operate an on-board temperature sensor, which will constantly monitor and provide cargo temperature reports with gps tracking data at preset intervals.

Provision of time-stamped temperature reports, with or without accompanying gps vehicle tracking data, are one of the different options for constant accurate monitoring of refrigerated loads. This type of dedicated temperature monitoring system can be used in both refrigerated trailers and for general warehouse storage.

Wireless sensor technology can also be used to send times-tamped readings, which can be recorded at a set number of different positions inside the trailer itself. In addition, a set number of temperature readings can also be sent by SMS message. When a GSM network becomes available, long term temperature logging with data download can be used for temperature sensitive goods in transit via long distance freight via land or sea. Thus, a refrigerated vehicle’s complete and detailed temperature record over the entire journey can be analysed and downloaded over the internet.

In summary, temperature monitoring is crucial to many of today’s global industries distributing frozen food products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, sensitive medical/research instruments or machinery. Customers need to know their delivery will arrive on time, secured against any deterioration whilst en-route. A mobile asset tracking system is an essential investment with applications for all types of food storage facilities and increasingly, vital to remote computer server rooms.

http://www.cybit.co.uk are the UK's Leading Supplier of Vehicle Based Telematics Services, GPS Vehicle Tracking, Fleet Tracking, Trailer Tracking with customisable added value application modules, who deliver an extensive portfolio of advanced vehicle tracking solutions to over 2,000 enterprises across a wide-range of industries. UKAS accredited to ISO 9001:2000, Cybit's dedicated professional services team can provide guidance to legislation compliance, Human Resource Management and Duty of Care best practice.