By Marc Kavinsky, editor at IoT Business News.
Fleet management is not exactly easy (even with the help of sophisticated tools)! While it is easier to put together an optimal route, there are still a variety of unpredictable factors that can change the course of events. And we all know that any bump in the road can cause delays and the loss of money or customers.
Therefore, fleet managers and owners use modern technology to monitor and guide their vehicles as they navigate the roads.
One such device is the dashboard camera (or dash cam) for commercial vehicles. The right type of dash cam can provide video evidence in the event of an accident, but it can also be used to hold drivers accountable and improve the overall safety of your business.
However, it can be a little tricky to choose the right type of camera if you’re not familiar with the features that make them so essential for fleet owners. To fix this issue, we’re going to discuss the top three features that business owners love in modern dash cams.
# 1: viewing angles and storage
The main purpose of a dash cam is to register traffic incidents. This way, the footage can be used as evidence for an insurance claim or even for a police investigation. Therefore, you have several options, such as: B. A front-facing, a two-way, or a 360-degree angle camera.
In addition, truck dash cams have many differences in terms of features and capabilities. The offer ranges from basic devices with local storage and night vision to WiFi-enabled dash cams for trucks that are constantly in contact with a central database. There are also devices that can use GPS and Google Maps to register the exact location of the incident and send the data to the manager.
If your vehicles are not too big and easy to maneuver, a forward facing cam may be sufficient. Larger vehicles can use a dual-facing camera, while unreached trucks can use a multi-view camera that sees everything around them.
# 2: real-time tracking
Some dash cam devices come with advanced GPS modules that log the location of your vehicles and help you track them in real time. When integrated with a software tracking system, it is also easy to predict when the truck will arrive at its destination and to send warnings in the event of delays.
That way, the customer knows when to expect delivery and how to adjust their schedule in the event of unexpected delays. Additionally, you can use GPS and logs to see how your drivers use the company’s vehicles.
Of course, these systems are only effective for tracking the vehicle. However, if you are also looking for a way to monitor the broadcast, your best bet is to use an asset tag device. These are attached to the shipment and can provide useful data on the location and direction of the goods.
# 3: Support the driver
Smart dash cams can detect when the driver is not concentrating on the road (e.g. driving and talking on the phone) and issue a warning to inform them that the behavior is not acceptable. You can also issue warnings if the truck is too close to the vehicle in front or if the driver missed a stop sign.
Every warning is logged so you can use the data to identify reckless drivers and take preventative action.
Wrap up
As you can see, Smart Dash Cams are a useful tool for both fleet managers and drivers. And as technology becomes more affordable and smarter, fewer truck accidents and other traffic incidents should occur.