In 2019 alone, there were over 510,000 commercial truck accidents. And that statistic only counts large trucks; it doesn’t include the hundreds of thousands of incidents with other types of fleet vehicles.
Video Telematics can help reduce the probability of your fleet vehicles being a part of these statistics.
What is Video Telematics?
Video telematics is a technology that integrates cameras and analytics with fleet tracking. Companies can use video telematics to record collision evidence, driver risk management, or security.
The technology fuses artificial intelligence with high-quality cameras to capture detailed images and analyze data. Telematics provides information for fleet managers and security teams to help prevent collisions, keep roads and drivers safe, and protect vehicles.
Video Telematics Overview
Mixed-vision AI-powered dashcams use cutting-edge technology to protect your drivers and fleet assets. Video telematics is achieved through dashcams installed in fleet vehicles and integrated with fleet management software systems. The end result provides fleet managers, law enforcement, and security teams with real-time data. These video telematics setups allow drivers to receive alerts when engaging in risky driving behaviors or poor driving performance.
History of Video Telematics
Historically fleet owners and operators had to track valuable assets blindly. Monitoring vehicle locations required hours on the phone or having drivers manually check in at various stations for reporting.
Beginning in the 1970s, vehicle manufacturers began a form of fleet telematics by cataloging new vehicles electronically during production, and in 1978, the term ‘telematics’ was coined. It referred to any transfer of information using telecommunications. Following the Nora-Minc report in France, the world saw the birth of Minitel, the first established telematics system. The telematics geeks were even ahead of the World Wide Web.
In the 1980s and 1990s, with the introduction of the personal computer, fleet management was revolutionized. PCs allowed fleet managers to connect with the mainframe of their management system’s computer, allowing for data transmission via modem. By the 1980s, with computer discs and USBs, fleet managers could share vehicle and driver data in real-time.
Trend 1: Video Telematics and Safety
Fast forward a few decades, and thanks to military investment and a policy directive from former President Bill Clinton, we have some of the most sophisticated fleet tracking technology available at a relatively low cost compared to when it was first used. That means that it is easier than ever to ensure the safety of your drivers and your fleet vehicles through the use of video telematics. The data-driven analytics provided by video telematics help to track and analyze driving patterns to determine the best fleet safety protocols. Fleet managers can give drivers clear direction based on previous route data and real-time traffic updates.
Telematics can be used to monitor adherence to fleet safety policies, and flag high-risk drivers that aren’t following essential protocols. A fleet culture focused on safety is important, and continuously reviewing video telematic data to improve drivers’ habits and train them to operate in a safety-focused way is the best practice overall and will minimize risks.
Trend 2: Video Telematics and Efficiency
Video telematics affects your bottom line positively. Not only will instilling a culture of safety with your drivers help save lives, but it will save you money, both on insurance premiums and vehicle maintenance. Video telematics can also analyze data to understand when drivers are accelerating or braking too rapidly and to monitor fuel levels. Poor driving behavior isn’t just bad for safety, but it gets expensive! You can reduce your overall fuel and maintenance costs through data-driven management of routing, monitoring of driving styles, and identifying contributing factors to inefficiencies.
Trend 3: Video Telematics Through DashCam Use
A great way to integrate video telematics with your fleet management system is through dashcam use. You can look into a few dashcam models to see what meets your fleet management system needs.
Basic Dashcam
A basic dashcam is almost like your standard security camera. It takes video footage from the dashboard of your vehicle for later review. The data is generally stored within the camera and needs to be dumped periodically to free up space. They tend to run on battery power, which can also be a hindrance since you’ll need to prepare for recharging or changing batteries.
Connected Dashcam
Connected dashcams are a little more sophisticated since they can be hardwired into your vehicles to solve the battery problem. They can also be configured to interact with your fleet management system network so your fleet managers can see what your drivers see from their dashboards.
Dual-Facing Dashcam
Dual-facing dashcams take it up another notch and allow drivers and fleet managers to see both in front of and behind a vehicle. These dashcams help with navigation and overall vision on the road.
AI Connected Dashcam and Vehicle Telematics
AI-connected dashcams are where we suggest you look as you consider investing in a fleet dashcam system. These cameras can provide fleet managers with real-time data to get you all the benefits mentioned in this article. These cameras integrate with fleet management software to inform real-time decision-making to keep drivers and vehicles safe and save you money.
AI Video Telematics, Insights, Coaching, and Scale
Finally, scaling your video telematics based on the insights you glean from all that data is the ultimate fleet management control system. Your fleet manager can run specific coaching programs for drivers depending on their driving levels and the data specific to their routes. Fleet managers can also determine what new fleet management software features will help make the fleet even more efficient based on the data.
Trend 4: Risk Assessment
Video telematics helps your fleet manager assess risk. Hand in hand with monitoring safety, fleet management risk assessment is critical for day-to-day operations. Video telematics technology allows your fleet manager to observe real-world driving behaviors in real-time.
Video cameras in your vehicles allow you to see what is happening with your vehicles and your drivers. This isn’t about spying on drivers but rather receiving alerts when video telematics systems identify risky behavior to reduce loss of property, production, and life. Drivers are unlikely to report near-accident instances, and we know that for every 3000 high-risk behavioral activities, there is at least 300 accident near misses, 30 minor collisions, and one major collision.
Rastrac can help you improve your fleet’s safety and your bottom line when you invest in the right video telematics solution for your fleet. We know fleet management inside and out, and our goal is to help organizations maximize their fleet operations, and with these top trends, we know RastracVision can help you do just that.
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