Drivers of vehicles fitted with TomTom telematics systems appear to have been more consistent and there are fewer incidences of excess speed recorded.

However, there has been teething trouble in operating the TomTom systems during the first month.

Not all of the units in the vehicles have logged data for the whole month, and TomTom is conducting an investigation to ensure the equipment is monitoring the cars when it should be.

However, some of the data retrieved has shown there would be benefit from coaching.

We often hear that better anticipation of hazards and driving appropriately for the road conditions can help contribute to more fuel efficient driving.

Therefore, any harsh input on the part of the driver, whether in acceleration, braking or steering, can hurt fuel economy, while there are also implications for safety.

Although vehicles using the TomTom equipment did not show cases of harsh acceleration or braking, there were records of harsh steering in all cars.

While this might not make as big a difference to fuel consumption as acceleration and braking too harshly, eliminating it would make a small contribution to reduced fuel costs.

It would also result in lower tyre wear, helping reduce maintenance costs. And reducing the number of instances of harsh steering would also improve safety – harsh driving is a factor in many accidents, according to statistics.

Telematics equipment can also monitor faults that would lead to a breakdown, or minor problems that could lead to increased fuel costs.

With the Traffilog systems, remote diagnostics is enabled by the hardware’s ability to connect to the vehicles’ ECU via Canbus (Controller Area Network), a standard automotive communication protocol used to communicate between the various engine parts, sensors and the managing computer.

The advantage of this kind of feature on a telematics system would allow maintenance staff to diagnose problems remotely and decide whether it is safe to allow the vehicle to continue its journey or to wait for assistance.

On the Traffilog telematics system the same screen also shows a virtually live vehicle speed and rev counter display.

Drivers are also given guidance on their performance through a colour code system, with scored given after each trip, ranging from a green ‘safe trip’ to a red ‘very unsafe’ trip.

Guidance plan for drivers

All three suppliers will be invited to a meeting with Bauer to pool best practice and advice to develop a guidance plan for drivers.

Some drivers whose vehicles are involved in the trial have also undergone a short training session on how to improve fuel economy. Others may be subject to further coaching or guidance.

Where this training has taken place, Bauer will also analyse whether any improvement in performance is recorded.

After the trial is completed in December, Fleet News will report on whether the areas for improvement identified have resulted in any lasting change and potential cost savings, while there will also be feedback on the usability of each of the interface systems.

Factfile

Fleet size 420

Funding type Contract hire

Brands VAG in job-need – user-chooser at top end

Fuel Diesel

Typical annual mileage 20,000 total with business miles averaged at 8,500

Grey fleet size 46

Vehicles on trial Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion 13; Audi A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI 2