Teletrac announced it is developing several new options for its Fleet Director automated navigation product,
including real-time traffic information, truck routing, communication options, and opportunities for reduced fuel consumption.

Real-time, fully automated, voice communicated traffic information will be available to supplement the voice prompt, real-time, speed-calibrated driving instructions. Powered by Navteq Traffic, Fleet Director provides routing information based upon high quality sources such as proprietary and government sensors, proprietary incident data, and probe data. The system then monitors traffic conditions and automatically contacts the vehicle if a better route develops due to changing conditions. Route calculations are performed by Teletrac-hosted servers from which the information is downloaded to the vehicle. This configuration allows the most current map data to always be available without requiring any customer involvement.

Within the system, it is also possible to designate whether a vehicle is a Class 8 truck or not. When a Class 8 tractor is assigned a destination, the Fleet Director software then automatically calculates a route taking into account Navteq Transport truck attributes such as height, weight and width restrictions and preferred designated "Truck Routes."

Teletrac is developing an additional option for destination selection and route loading. This option will allow the driver to input the destination information and activate the download. Using a touch screen monitor, the driver enters the destination address and then activates the download. Teletrac is also pursuing the development of a similar capability for its in-cab Message Display Terminal.

By knowing each vehicle's location and status, companies can control and reduce their fuel consumption levels with more efficient dispatching, the monitoring of vehicle speeds and controlling out-of-route miles. Automated navigation, when combined with routing that takes traffic situations into consideration, provides an additional tool to help reduce fuel usage. By routing vehicles around areas where traffic delays routinely occur, and rerouting them when accidents disrupt normal patterns, vehicles are kept moving instead of stopped in traffic. This helps improve a fleet's MPG averages as well as help reduce a fleet's carbon footprint and the higher maintenance costs that come with excessive idling

Final field testing of the new enhancements is currently being completed. Teletrac plans to have the products available during the third quarter of 2008.

More info: www.teletrac.net