In the Australian transport and logistics sector, the imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is no longer a distant goal but a pressing reality. While advancements in vehicle technology and alternative fuels present mid- and long-term solutions, a powerful tool is available right now: telematics.
By harnessing the wealth of data generated by vehicles and their operations, telematics systems provide invaluable insights that enable informed decisions, leading to significant reductions in fuel consumption, maintenance and overall emissions.
At its core, telematics involves the collection, transmission, storage, and analysis of data from vehicles. This data encompasses a wide range of parameters, including location, speed, engine diagnostics, fuel consumption, driver behaviour, and more.
By transforming raw data into actionable intelligence, telematics empowers fleet managers to gain a comprehensive understanding of their operations and identify areas for optimisation that directly contribute to lower emissions.
The latest telematics trend is the inclusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is capable of processing immense amounts of data, unlocking valuable insights for fleet managers. But how can AI help you reduce your fleet emissions?
Reducing your diesel bill
One of the most significant ways telematics reduces fleet emissions is through fuel efficiency management. By monitoring real-time and historical fuel consumption data, fleet managers can identify vehicles or routes with excessive fuel usage.
Analysing driver behaviour data, such as instances of harsh acceleration, hard braking, and excessive idling – all significant contributors to increased fuel consumption – allows for targeted driver coaching and training programs.
The inclusion of AI unlocks advanced driver behaviour analysis, predictive fuel analytics and in some cases offers real-time in-cab alerts to encourage fuel-efficient driving. AI-powered telematics systems are now able to offer targeted recommendations for fleet managers, too.
All in the route
Route optimisation is another critical area where telematics play a vital role in emissions reduction. By analysing traffic patterns, road conditions, and delivery schedules, telematics systems can identify the most efficient routes, minimising mileage and travel time.
Reducing unnecessary kilometres directly translates to lower fuel consumption and fewer emissions. Optimising routes also leads to better vehicle utilisation, potentially reducing the overall number of vehicles required in the fleet.
AI is emerging as a powerful route optimisation tool, transforming the way fleets plan and execute their routes, leading to significant savings in both fuel consumption, emissions and time.
At its core, AI route optimisation leverages machine learning algorithms and vast datasets to determine the most efficient paths for a fleet of vehicles. Unlike traditional route planning methods that often rely on static data and manual adjustments, AI-powered systems dynamically analyse a multitude of factors in real-time
Predictive maintenance
Effective vehicle maintenance scheduling facilitated by telematics also contributes to lower emissions, and in recent times has included the use of AI to take this one step further.
By monitoring engine diagnostics and vehicle health in real-time, telematics systems can predict potential maintenance issues before they escalate into major problems. Proactive maintenance ensures that vehicles operate at peak efficiency.
New AI-assisted predictive maintenance services move from reactive repairs and scheduled servicing to a proactive approach. Predictive maintenance systems can now forecast potential equipment failures, even factoring in road conditions that might impact a vehicle.
Even slight deviations in performance, not noticeable to a human, can be detected and rectified with complex predictive maintenance systems.
AI in action
One telematics provider using AI across its fleet-focused products is Geotab, transforming vast streams of vehicle and operational data into tangible insights for fleet operators.
At the forefront is Geotab Ace, a groundbreaking generative AI assistant seamlessly integrated within the MyGeotab platform. The Ace platform allows users to ask questions and receive quick, data-informed answers – meaning no more trawling through the data.
The system is able to offer insights into critical areas like safety, idle time, and fuel consumption, and eliminates the complexities of manual data manipulation. In other words, you don’t have to be a mathematician to analyse your fleet data.
AI also bolsters driver safety through Geotab’s Safety Center, employing predictive analytics to identify high-risk drivers and vehicles based on driving behaviour patterns, offering targeted coaching and collision risk prediction. AI-powered dashcams further enhance safety by proactively detecting and alerting drivers to imminent collisions and risky behaviours out on the road.
Geotab also uses AI in its predictive maintenance solutions, analysing vehicle health data to forecast potential engine, battery, brake, or tyre issues, enabling proactive interventions that minimise downtime and reduce maintenance costs.
From an emissions standpoint, the company also uses AI to analyse fuel consumption and route data, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency. Geotab’s solution identifies opportunities for improved efficiency and sustainability, enhancing traditional capabilities by adjusting routes based on real-time conditions.
The future is data-rich
Telematics is no longer just about tracking vehicles; it’s a powerful tool for driving sustainability within the Australian transport industry.
By providing granular data and actionable insights into fuel consumption, driver behaviour, route efficiency, and vehicle maintenance, telematics systems empower fleet managers to make informed decisions that lead to real-world reductions in emissions.
