A bird’s eye view of the trailer fleet – TrailerLinc by VDO
transport logistic 2017
- New tracking solution improves trailer management efficiency and performance
- TrailerLinc augments VDO FleetVisor, the premium fleet management software
- Continental to introduce hardware and services at transport logistic 2017
Villingen-Schwenningen, March 2017. Continuous location monitoring for increased safety and efficiency – haulage companies and fleet operators can now see the locations of their trailers at a glance thanks to a new trailer service by VDO, a product brand of the Continental technology company. Qualified personnel first install the hardware on the trailer, after which TrailerLinc regularly transmits the trailer’s GPS data to FleetVisor, the comprehensive VDO fleet management software. This enables fleet managers to check the locations of a semitrailer or a swap trailer and of the vehicle to which the trailer is attached. Haulage companies can then adapt a tour in real time, because thanks to TrailerLinc, trailer location report errors are now a thing of the past.
The TrailerLinc unit is always active, sending its position to the dispatch department at pre-defined times – and drivers don’t have to start the unit themselves before beginning their tours. “TrailerLinc rounds off our telematics portfolio. Thanks to the VDO Fleet solutions, haulage companies can now manage all their fleet management tasks, comprehensively, flexibly and economically. We support them in their compliance with statutory requirements and in their vehicle, driver, logistics and trailer management, with all the perspective and the expertise of a full-service provider,” says Dr. Lutz Scholten, Head of Tachographs, Telematics and Services at Continental.
Early detection of thefts
VDO TrailerLinc provides dispatchers with information about the location of their trailers 24/7. How often the location is updated is adapted to the situation at hand; if the trailer is standing decoupled in the yard, for example, TrailerLinc sends a signal every 24 hours. If it’s attached and moving, the device sends the current position every minute, enabling the accurate determination of arrival times at customers’ premises. If the trailer is moving – but not attached to a known truck – the dispatch department receives an hourly location report, so any suspicion of trailer theft can be dealt with fast and the dispatchers never lose sight of the trailer. TrailerLinc uses an integrated motion detector and a GPS sensor to collect location, speed and tractor data, which it then sends to VDO FleetVisor via the wireless network. Dispatchers can see the trailer ID and the tractor to which it’s attached on their screens. Mileage driven can also be acquired in VDO FleetVisor, enabling vehicle utilization and maintenance intervals to be determined.
The TrailerLinc hardware design is rugged and waterproof. The battery automatically recharges when the trailer is in motion – and TrailerLinc is equipped to provide even more information via CAN in the future. Software updates can also be easily installed on the device wirelessly (over-the-air).
TrailerLinc is part of VDO FleetVisor, the premium solution for efficient fleet management by Continental. The unit’s extensive evaluation features include route and driver planning, vehicle deployment, remote download, truck navigation and an overview of upcoming maintenance.
TrailerLinc and other fleet management services at transport logistic 2017
Continental will present TrailerLinc at transport logistic 2017 – the world’s leading trade fair – from May 9 to 12 in Munich. The VDO booth will be number 618 in Hall B2. The technology company will present itself to trade fair visitors in its role as a full-service provider of fleet management services.
