Connectivity

How IoT Fleet Telematics Solve Society’s Pressing Issues

August 12, 2022

Before the pandemic, the U.S. focused on improving urban mobility. Forward-thinking state governments began using the problem — vehicles — as part of the solution. Big data is central to combating congestion and developing sustainable transportation systems for the future. Fleets are being optimized through many U.S. municipal and state initiatives.

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Colorado and California: How Two States Are Leveraging IoT Fleet Telematics

Colorado introduced an integrated electric vehicle (EV) fleet management solution in 2018 to support its EV Plan. The state equipped government vehicles with cutting-edge telematics to track and measure fleet efficiency and conventional fuel and electricity use.

Since then, Colorado has been among the leading U.S. states working to ensure environmentally responsible and less costly fleets. The state continues to combat climate change, reduce pollution and update infrastructure.

California has several green initiatives to improve fleet operations and reduce harmful environmental impact. Like Colorado, California implemented a statewide telematics solution to promote environmentally friendly and cost-efficient fleets. The state provides regional governments unprecedented access to a leading edge computing and analytics platform. It also puts connected vehicle data to use within various smart city and smart state initiatives.

IoT Telematics and the American Trucking Industry

IoT fleet telematics enable fleet operators in the American trucking industry to optimize operations based on real-time data.

Connected vehicle and telematics data have long been vital to the American trucking industry, the backbone of the U.S. economy. According to the American Trucking Associations, it moves about 10.23 billion tons of freight (72.5% of total domestic tonnage) per year. In 2020, 37.9 million trucks and 3.97 million Class 8 trucks (including tractors and straight trucks) collectively logged:  

  • 300.05 billion miles  
  • 45.6 billion gallons of fuel (i.e.,36.5 billion gallons of diesel and 9.1 billion gallons of gasoline)  

Ensuring cellular coverage can be tricky. Fleet telematics solutions involve communications with trucks moving through small and large mobile networks across the U.S. This challenge is especially true for fleets with a national or global footprint.  

Having a flexible IoT connectivity solution that can support multiple networks and geographies is critical. While more dependable in remote areas, satellite connections carry added costs. They are also more susceptible to environmental challenges (e.g., heavy rains and intense solar activity). These challenges make cellular the technology of choice for most use cases.  

IoT telematics device makers are favoring embedded connectivity SIM solutions over phone-style SIM cards. Embedded SIM (eSIM) solutions enable data transmission that provides the required coverage to stabilize costs. The stable data costs allow them to extend competitive monthly rates to their customers.  

Few could have predicted the supply chain challenges and skyrocketing fuel prices currently hamstringing the trucking industry. As prices continue to rise, large and small fleets rely on telematics to monitor and improve consumption. Fleet operators can make strategic decisions by leveraging collected data to gain actionable insights, including: 

Real-time data sharing is crucial, making reliable and secure IoT connectivity essential. It enables remote speed and freight tracking and visual monitoring of drivers and elements, such as:  

  • Weather
  • Vehicles
  • Pedestrians
  • Road obstructions

Constant network connectivity empowers fleets and operators to achieve optimization at every level. The results lead to lower fuel use and maintenance costs while improving driver safety.

Telit Cinterion IoT Connectivity Solutions

Telit Cinterion offers connectivity solutions that amplify fleet telematics’ power to drive business. We provide the industry’s leading SIM solutions and data plans to get your fleet management solution to market fast. Whether your deployment is regional or global, you get one-touch access to your network with granular visibility and control. We can simplify your deployment orchestration and reduce fleet management costs. 

Speak with our telematics IoT experts to get started on your IoT-enabled telematics and fleet management solution.