The transition to intelligent tachographs: how fleets can enter the new era without glitches

Necessary updating of download tools and fleet management software
Online training in the use of the new DTCO 4.0
Tips from Continental on how to make a smooth transition to the DTCO 4.0
Presentation of Continental’s tools for efficient fleet management at the transport logistic trade fair

Villingen-Schwenningen, May 2, 2019. On June 15, 2019, intelligent digital tachographs will become mandatory for all newly registered trucks, and fleet managers will have to be ready for the new systems. The technology company Continental is providing tips on how to make a smooth transition to the DTCO 4.0. By offering the necessary infrastructure for the new tachographs it is enabling fleets of all sizes to comply with the statutory requirements and continue to operate smoothly. “We completed the approval process for our intelligent DTCO 4.0 tachograph well before the effective date of the new regulation,” says Marcello Lucarelli, head of Continental’s Tachographs, Telematics and Services segment. “Customers can therefore plan with confidence.” Vehicle fleets will also have to bring their peripheral equipment up to date. This includes updating their download tools and fleet management software to work with the new tachograph encryption technology, ensuring continued compliance with legal stipulations for archiving and saving data on drivers and vehicles. The updates will be necessary as soon as a single vehicle in a fleet has the DTCO 4.0 on board. Continental is supporting fleet managers with the necessary equipment, services and know-how.

Do I have to update my download tools?

Continental offers a number of means for backing up and archiving mass storage and driver card data. Its automatic downloading solutions – the products in the DLD family – update themselves automatically via over-the-air (OTA) update. Fleet managers with these tools won’t have to do anything to prepare their existing devices for the DTCO 4.0.

For those who use manual downloading – the products in the DLK family – Continental has created simple update possibilities using an update card. The card is available at www.vdo-shop.de or through dealers. Users of DLT Pro download terminals can update their devices via the Software Update option.

Important note: Devices that are older than the DLK Pro product family and DLT Pro will no longer be able to download and archive data from the DTCO 4.0. Fleets that use these tools will have to switch to newer models in order to comply with the existing regulations also with the DTCO 4.0. “We’ve developed two download keys that meet the new technical requirements, the DLK Pro Downloadkey S and the DLK PRO TIS-Compact S, and they’re already available,” says Diego Santos-Burgoa, sales director of Continental’s Tachographs, Telematics and Services segment. All of the new or updated download tools will continue to work with older DTCO models.

Can I get funding support?

Businesses that invest in hardware or software for digital EC recording devices can apply for subsidies from the German Federal Office for Goods Transport as part of the De-minimis funding program. Tips on what investments are eligible and how to submit an application, can be found at www.fleet.vdo.de/vdo-magazin/de-minimis.

Does my fleet management system still work?

There are also changes for fleet management systems. Fleet operators who use VDO TIS-Web Motion or VDO FleetVisor to monitor and control their vehicles can continue to use their software with the DTCO 4.0. However, those who use the TIS-Web 4.9 fleet management system for complying with statutory data-archiving requirements must switch to the latest version, TIS-Web DMM 5.0. Otherwise they will not be able to archive data from vehicles with a DTCO 4.0. For further information go to www.fleet.vdo.de or talk with your dealer.

Will we need updates for our tachograph apps?

In the course of the new developments relating to the DTCO 4.0, Continental has also reviewed its apps. “We decided to combine our various smartphone offerings, which cover communication with tachographs and between drivers and fleet offices,” says Santos-Burgoa. In the future, users will only have to install one application and they will also benefit from new functions. The new app will be available for iOS and Android and is expected for fall this year. For this reason, the VDO Driver app and VDO Fleet app will not be updated to the DTCO 4.0. The new app will have all the necessary functions. The DTCO configuration app, which lets fleet managers configure certain functionalities of the tachograph by themselves, will remain unchanged. It will be updated automatically or manually to the DTCO 4.0, depending on the individual settings.

Will I need new tachograph cards?

Driver and fleet cards will remain valid until their expiry dates. The authorities will then replace them with the new generation of cards automatically. Both the new and the old cards are compatible with all DTCO tachographs. The only parties that need to make the change right away are workshops, which will need new workshop cards in order to meet the new test requirements.

How will road checks change?

Among other requirements for intelligent digital tachographs, the EU regulation 165/2014 specifies a standardized DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) interface. The purpose is to make roadside checks more efficient for all those involved. After appropriate authentication, vehicle and calibration data and information about security breaches and malfunctions that have occurred is transmitted wirelessly to the inspection officers’ devices from the DTCO 4.0 in the moving vehicle. Inspection officers can then use the data to stop specific vehicles. Companies and drivers who comply with all regulations can expect fewer unscheduled stops at the roadside thanks to this change. But don’t worry: There are no plans in place to levy automatic fines based on the transmitted data.

Is online training being offered?

Continental not only offers fleet managers the necessary hardware technology for intelligent tachographs, it also provides the relevant know-how. After all, the DTCO 4.0 has many useful new features. Examples are automatic position determination via GNSS and processing of driver and vehicle data in compliance with data privacy regulations. Continental will also be offering online seminars on the new DTCO 4.0 and its peripheral equipment. Starting this fall, they can be booked directly via the VDO Academy booking portal at www.vdo-academy.de.

Continental has compiled other important information about intelligent digital tachographs for fleet operators. You can find it at www.fleet.vdo.com/dtco-40-ready.

Presentation at the transport logistic trade fair

Continental will also be highlighting the new intelligent digital tachograph and related equipment for efficient fleet management at the transport logistic trade fair from 4 to 7 June 2019 in Munich. In addition, the company will be showing its TruckOn booking portal, which connects fleets and repair shops throughout Europe and has been enhanced with new functions. You will find everything in Hall A3.309/410.

Background

DTCO 4.0: The intelligent digital tachograph

The tachograph regulation (EU) 165/2014 incorporates numerous functional extensions in device technology: the digital tachograph is becoming intelligent. Continental developed the DTCO 4.0 under its VDO product brand to meet the new statutory requirements. The new tachograph is even better protected against tampering and provides greater transparency during operation.

The EU regulation specify standardized DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) technology for an integrated remote control mode. This makes more precisely targeted vehicle checks possible. In addition, there is an interface to a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). This will automatically record position data, which can also be used to assist in fleet management.

Also new is an ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) interface, which can help fleet operators boost efficiency and provide a wide range of information from the digital tachograph via a standardized interface. Most of the information that can be transmitted via ITS interfaces is classified as “personal”. Data may only be transmitted from a vehicle if the driver has approved this action.

Many other applications are conceivable if the secure data from the tachograph is shared with other data processing systems. Apps could use DTCO information to guide drivers to a nearby gas station, or to a parking lot that is easily accessible at the start of rest periods.