Driver Monitoring: Telematics App Overview
Telematics devices entered the world as an extension to your car. Insurance companies used this feature to implement a rewards program for their drivers, Transportation companies to improve driver safety and performance.
This device captured driver behavior and reported it via a telematics platform back to either insurance companies or fleet managers. The idea behind these devices is to mitigate bad driving and improve driver performance through a driver monitoring system. However, telematics devices are unfit for most use cases as it has limited scalability, high upfront cost, and expensive maintenance.
There are several alternatives for Telematics devices, which are also known, as Black Box. Location tracking app is a powerful alternative that solves all known Black-box-issues and provides businesses with a great solution.
What makes an excellent telematics app? Which is best for your needs? Let’s find out!
Telematics As A Safe Driving App
We already saw how a telematics app can influence a driver’s behavior on the road. But, how can you use this feature in your company and fleet?
Telematics apps support zero-touch technology and don’t require from driver any interactions with the app. The app automatically detects driving and records the data to the driver’s smartphone, then transfers the data to the telematics platform or broadcasts driving data in real-time to any transportation system, fleet management system, or dispatch platform. Also, the supports real-time communications to the fleet manager of any other recipients in real-time. This means, if your driver stops short or exceeds the speed you will receive notice. The phone tracks and reports this data back to the drivers and manager, depending on a company business logic.
Imagine the important information which originally was available to drivers is now available to you. Through this feature it enables you to monitor your drivers and whether they drive in a safe or efficient manner.
Prior to such innovations, fleet managers needed to rely on reports from other drivers on the roadway. Or, when their driver crashed their vehicle. This digital app lets you intercede proactively.
Telematics Apps For Distracted Driving
Do you know what one of the main causes of crashes on the roadway is? Distracted driving. The National Safety Council (NSC) found that some 3,000 people died in 2019 because of distracted drivers.
This was an increase from the previous year. State and federal laws are not enough for stopping distracted drivers. Many drivers continue using a cell phone while driving despite these laws.
Driver behavior differs when the driver utilizes their cellphone. Often the driver displays confusing behavior or has sudden stops. If you see this behavior it is likely you have distracted drivers.
Knowing and addressing these signs could save lives. That is one of the reason why driving schools actively implement this technology.
This means that you will need to implement more stringent measures in your fleet. Do not merely rely on the laws in place. Utilize the tracking system while your drivers are out and about.
How can a Telematic App Improve Your Fleet's Performance?
There are several benefits to using a telematics app for your fleet management. At the core, the main benefits are increased efficiency and accurate record keeping.
Telematics apps help to ensure your drivers use the best routes possible. You can use the app for plotting your routes and tracing driver behavior. You can improve your fleet’s performance by regularly reviewing the data recorded and provided inside your existing system.
The apps can trace a fleet’s millage as well. For anyone running a fleet, you know that there are federal and state requirements regarding mileage logs. These logs must be accurate representations of a driver’s day-to-day journey.
Telematics apps take this burden off of the shoulders of the driver and/or manager. Now you need only review the records available on the app.
Last, you will be able to base your routes on data collected on traffic patterns. You can review the stored data on when your fleet trucks were at a standstill. Review how long and what times these stops occur and update your routes accordingly!
How does Safe driving app work?
The telematics app uses the data it collects while the driver operates the vehicle to generate reports. It generates these reports based on the driver’s propensity for certain patterns.
Safe driving styles exhibit smooth stops and steady increases in speed. The app is able to track these patterns and record them as safe driving practices.
Other indicators of a safe driver are obeying all roadway signs such as stop signs and yielding when appropriate. Thanks to the knowledge of roadways, the app is aware of when drivers violate these posted signs.
When drivers have erratic driving patterns, the app also tracks this behavior. Sudden stops and uneven acceleration are all recorded as potentially careless driving.
Erratic behavior is one of the main signs of distracted driving and is recorded as such. Disregarding posted roadway signs are also recorded by the device.
These patterns are all collected and delivered as a report to the fleet manager. The manager can use this data to help the manager know which drivers they should train.
Implement safety driving and defensive driving courses when drivers exhibit unsafe driving. Drivers may not have sufficient skills for certain roads and are in need of support.
Regardless of the cause, the app can help managers prioritize safe driving training for those in need.
Telematics app for driver tracking
The telematics app helps fleet managers know where their drivers are using driver smartphone data. Mobile telematics technology helps the manager know when their drivers are likely to arrive and what route they take.
The smartphone GPS can also report when the truck is stopped. If your driver has decided to take a break, the device will notify the fleet manager.
This is not necessarily intended to penalize drivers for taking a break. It is safer and necessary that fleet managers permit their drivers to take a break.
But, it is helpful for plotting your routes and scheduling dispatches to know where your loads are and when. if your driver is delayed for some reason you could also notify the receiver of the delay so they do not wonder what happened.
Smartphone telematics has allowed fleet managers to monitor their drivers in a safe and productive manner by collecting and processing data from driver smartphone of android and ios-based devices installed into a vehicle.
What Telematics app Is Best For Your Fleet?
For your fleet management, you will want an app that has it all. The best telematics app has the safety and tracking features you need to monitor your fleet.
Damoov apps possess all the safety and productivity features you need for a successful fleet. They also have features that help you minimize your environmental impact.
And, the best part is, it comes at zero cost for fleets of up to 10 vehicles, and as an open-source app with integrated Damoov telematics suite for large-scale companies.! Contact us and we will help you make the best choice for your client, company and product.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
How does telematics help?
Telematics provides a digital blueprint of every aspect of a vehicle’s operation, helping fleet managers understand where improvements can be made in accident prevention measures and driver safety standards.
What data does telematics collect?
Telematics systems gather data including vehicle location, driver behavior, engine diagnostics, and vehicle activity, and visualize this data on software platforms that help fleet operators manage their resources.
How does driver monitoring work?
Driver-monitoring systems typically use a driver-facing camera equipped with infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or lasers so that it can “see” the driver’s face, even at night, and see the driver’s eyes even if the driver is wearing dark sunglasses.
Useful links
- Company website: https://damoov.com
- Open-source telematics app: https://damoov.com/telematics-app
- Telematics SDK: https://damoov.com/telematics-sdk
- Telematics API: https://damoov.co/api-services
- Developer portal: https://docs.damoov.com
- Datahub: https://app.damoov.comm
- Github: https://github.com/Mobile-Telematics
