North Lincolnshire Council and vehicle tracking firm Masternaut Three X have developed a web-based telematics system that, they say, is increasing refuse collection and gulley cleansing performance.
The system helps manage the council's fleet of 66 refuse and highways vehicles and, according to operations manager Graham Sykes, the investment has been largely self-funding, as a result of service improvements and more efficient use of its trucks.
"Masternaut is an excellent management tool. It helps us to maximise the use of our vehicles and people, and it saves time by reducing administration," confirms Sykes.
"Our crews simply update the system, using the in-vehicle terminals, and our contact centre has real-time access to data, which helps when responding to customers," he explains.
Sykes also states that the Telematics system is important "in helping us to achieve National Indicator 14". Part of that, he says, is being able to give a first time response to customer queries.
Currently, the council's development team is exploring the possibility of using Masternaut's GreenerFleet environmental management tool for recording its fleet's carbon footprint.
Says Sykes: "Our services mainly involve low speed, stop-start driving, with higher speeds between certain points. Our challenge is to develop GreenerFleet to monitor this mixed driving and provide accurate measurements.
"Once we have completed the work, North Lincolnshire will be among the first to be able to provide accurate CO2 measurements for its waste and highways services."
