The green CarCube: keep control of emissions and costs!
5 March 2010 by LS
The green CarCube: keep control of emissions and costs!
Saving on fuel consumption produces benefits on two fronts: lower costs and less emission of harmful substances. Ecologically sound driving is therefore helpful to carrier and environment alike.
In practice, however, it seems that it is not such a simple matter to achieve such driving style sustainability. For this reason, the CarCube on-board computer from Punch Telematix provides a unique tool: the Driving Style Assistant for real-time driver support in combination with FMS reporting for rapid, effective driving style analysis from home base.
Real-time support
“Green driving is just an empty slogan if a driver’s driving behaviour cannot be continually monitored and influenced”, claims Michel van Maercke, CEO of Punch Telematix. “Practice shows us that the effect of a driving style training course rapidly wanes and consumption goes up again. Consequently, CarCube continuously provides both the driver and the transport manager with current information about the driving style.”
The audiovisual Driving Style Assistant on the CarCube gives the driver insight into his driving performance in real-time while he is driving. On a clear screen, the Driving Style Assistant displays how the driver is performing in terms of consumption, accelerating (too fast), braking (too hard), engine speed and idling.
“The closer the score approaches the 100% mark, the better and thus more ecologically sound is the driving style”, says Van Maercke.
In addition to its graphical display, the Driving Style Assistant warns the driver in spoken text if his driving behaviour is making the score drop. For example, if he accelerates too fast as he is pulling away, the driver will hear: ‘You are accelerating too quickly’. The driver is then able to adjust his driving behaviour immediately without his attention to the traffic being distracted!
Van Maercke: “With CarCube’s unique Driving Style Assistant a driver has full control of an economic driving style.”
Lasting change in behaviour
Via the FMS/CANbus interface on the CarCube, the data about consumption and driving style are relayed to the Punch Telematix FleetWorks backoffice software. This processes the data into a clear, detailed FMS driving style report.
“Any irregularities are immediately noticeable in our FMS reporting”, says Van Maercke. “And the detailed driving style analysis makes it immediately possible to spot the points on which a driver could use extra guidance. The effects of any adjustments or of a driving style training course can also be monitored exactly with CarCube. In combination with the Driving Style Assistant, this ensures a lasting change in the driver’s driving behaviour.”
With the green CarCube, driving ecologically also becomes genuinely sustainable without it costing much time and effort!
ECO-driving with Punch Telematix
In order to combine the advantages of the green CarCube with driving style training, Punch Telematix entered into collaboration with DrivOlution. Users of CarCube with Driving Style Assistant and FMS reporting are able to utilise them during DrivOlution’s ECO-driving style training, which meets the compulsory requirements of the statutory refresher training.
Before the ECO-driving style training commences, DrivOlution analyses a driver’s driving style by reference to the FMS reporting generated from FleetWorks. Then the driver can be coached in a targeted way to drive more economically. DrivOlution also trains the office-based employees in interpreting the FMS reporting.
After the training, DrivOlution continues to coach the drivers for another month. In addition the CarCube Driving Style Assistant continues to give the driver feedback about his driving behaviour, while back in the office they can monitor the driving style via the FMS reporting and where necessary adjust it. In this way, the long-term effect of the driving style training is guaranteed!
Coupétrans’ positive experience
The first haulier to benefit from the collaboration between Punch Telematix and DrivOlution was Coupétrans in Rijkevorsel. With a vehicle fleet of 17 tractor units and 40 container chassis, Coupétrans carries sea containers from the port of Antwerp throughout Belgium and Europe, particularly Germany and France (see also www.coupetrans.be).
“A significant benefit of using CarCube in driving style training is that the results are measurable”, explains business manager Guy Coupé. “Drivers are professionals in their field and are quick to react to an instructor with ‘What more do you think you can teach me?’. During the DrivOlution training session, via the Driving style Assistant on CarCube, they immediately see the effect of adjustments in their driving style. That hits home well.”
Even after the driving style training, the drivers continue using the Driving Style Assistant. Coupé follows their driving performance via the FMS reporting. He is therefore certain to expect a greater fall in their consumption figures. Coupé: “Sadly, the bad weather conditions over the past two months means that it has not yet been possible to achieve this.”
Read more about Coupétrans' experience with the CarCube.
Lower consumption for the Ploeger Group
The Ploeger Group, a leading logistics services provider with branches in Harderwijk, Tilburg and Poppel (B) has recently started using the CarCube on-board computer with Driving Style Assistant. “An initial test among our drivers shows that the support from the Driving Style Assistant is viewed positively”, explains Adwin Ploeger, director of the Ploeger Group. “We are noticing that consumption and consequently CO2 emissions are actually dropping.”
The real-time monitoring of the driving style on the CarCube also has another positive effect. Ploeger: “The drivers are starting to drive more steadily, which helps prevent material damage and accidents.”
The Green CarCube in action
At the NACHON Customer Day in Staverden on 16 March you can see the Green CarCube in action. In Genk from 17 to 19 March, you can find us at the first edition of Move IT Expo. We are also present on 7 and 8 April at the Transport & Logistics exhibition in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
About DrivOlution
DrivOlution offers companies a total concept for maximum reduction of their fleet risk in every respect. The focus lies on reducing occupational traffic accidents and on improving fleet results. In this context, DrivOlution provides among others driver training courses in driving economically and defensively and in securing cargo. These and other training activities have now also been accredited for the compulsory skills refresher training for lorry drivers.
DrivOlution specialises in all aspects affecting fleet results, such as risk management, influences on behaviour, communication processes, traffic awareness, driving proficiency, vehicle engineering, training, understanding insurance, traffic regulations and prevention. All its staff members have years of experience in traffic and fleet prevention.
www.drivolution.be