Sign in Subscribe

AVL (Automatic vehicle location)

Last updated on 

Introduction

Automatic vehicle location (AVL) refers to the tracking of vehicles in real-time using various technologies such as GPS, cellular networks, and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. AVL systems enable organizations to monitor and manage their fleets effectively, resulting in better utilization of resources, improved customer service, and reduced operational costs. AVL systems are widely used in a variety of industries, including public transportation, logistics, emergency services, and utilities.

AVL System Components

An AVL system typically consists of the following components:

  1. GPS receiver: The GPS receiver is a device that receives signals from GPS satellites and calculates the location of the vehicle.
  2. Communications system: The communications system enables the AVL system to communicate with the vehicle in real-time. The communications system can be either a cellular network or a radio network.
  3. Data processing and storage: The data processing and storage component of the AVL system is responsible for storing and processing data received from the GPS receiver and the communications system.
  4. Management software: The management software component of the AVL system provides an interface for users to access and manage the data collected by the system.

AVL System Operation

The operation of an AVL system typically involves the following steps:

  1. Data collection: The AVL system collects data from the GPS receiver and the communications system.
  2. Data processing: The data collected by the AVL system is processed to calculate the location of the vehicle and other relevant information such as speed, direction, and engine status.
  3. Data storage: The processed data is stored in a database for future analysis and reporting.
  4. Data retrieval: The data stored in the database can be retrieved and analyzed using management software.
  5. Reporting: The management software provides reports and alerts based on the data collected and analyzed by the system.

Benefits of AVL Systems

AVL systems offer several benefits to organizations, including:

  1. Improved efficiency: AVL systems help organizations to optimize their fleets and improve their utilization. This results in reduced fuel consumption, improved driver productivity, and better asset management.
  2. Better customer service: AVL systems enable organizations to provide more accurate and timely information to their customers about the location and status of their vehicles.
  3. Improved safety: AVL systems help organizations to monitor the behavior of their drivers and take corrective action if necessary. This results in improved safety for both drivers and passengers.
  4. Cost savings: AVL systems help organizations to reduce their operational costs by optimizing their fleets, reducing fuel consumption, and improving asset management.
  5. Regulatory compliance: AVL systems can help organizations to comply with regulatory requirements such as driver hour limits and vehicle maintenance schedules.

Applications of AVL Systems

AVL systems are used in a variety of industries and applications, including:

  1. Public transportation: AVL systems are widely used in public transportation to track the location and status of buses, trains, and other vehicles. This enables operators to provide real-time information to passengers about the location and expected arrival time of their vehicles.
  2. Logistics: AVL systems are used in logistics to track the location and status of trucks, trailers, and other vehicles. This enables logistics companies to optimize their fleets, improve delivery times, and reduce costs.
  3. Emergency services: AVL systems are used by emergency services such as police, fire, and ambulance to track the location of their vehicles and respond quickly to emergencies.
  4. Utilities: AVL systems are used by utilities such as power and water companies to track the location and status of their vehicles and equipment. This enables them to respond quickly to outages and maintenance issues.

Conclusion

AVL systems are an essential tool for organizations that operate fleets of vehicles. They enable organizations to monitor and manage their fleets effectively, resulting in improved efficiency, better customer service, and cost savings. AVL systems are widely used in a variety of industries, including public transportation, logistics, emergency services, and utilities. AVL systems offer several benefits, including improved efficiency, better customer service, improved safety, cost savings, and regulatory compliance. These benefits have made AVL systems an essential tool for organizations that operate fleets of vehicles.

As technology continues to advance, AVL systems are becoming more sophisticated and capable of providing more detailed information about vehicles and their operations. For example, some AVL systems can now track the driving behavior of drivers, including speed, acceleration, and braking, and provide feedback to drivers to help them improve their driving skills. Other AVL systems can monitor the condition of vehicles and equipment and provide alerts when maintenance is required.