Teletrac, Inc. has announced the availability of the FleetDirector® Turn-By-Turn (TBT) vehicle routing and navigation system. The powerful TBT software module provides speed-calibrated, real-time, turn-by-turn, verbal directions to guide drivers to their selected destinations. As an integrated component of FleetDirector’s proprietary eClient® fleet management software suite, TBT allows dispatchers to select vehicles, assign destinations and download route driving directions with minimal effort.
According to Tim Van Cleve, Teletrac coo, getting commercial drivers to their destinations using the most efficient route is a constant, time-consuming, challenge for dispatchers. He said, “Lost drivers get frustrated, waste fuel and keep customers waiting. Dispatchers have more urgent tasks to manage. That’s why one of our main design goals for TBT was ease of use. TBT’s seamless integration with FleetDirector’s eClient software made that goal attainable.”
Operationally, TBT allows the dispatcher to automate several actions related to vehicle selection and assignment, destination and route selection and verification of onboard capture of the navigation download. With FleetDirector, the dispatcher already has real-time information on the location and availability status of each vehicle. The process begins with the dispatcher identifying the closest available, properly equipped vehicle to handle the assignment. He then clicks on the chosen vehicle and assigns the destination. This may be done by simply clicking on a pre-established landmark location or entering a street address. The street address may then be saved as a new landmark or utilized for a one-time route assignment. The information is then instantly uploaded into the TBT system, which automatically downloads the route information to the vehicle. A green LED on the in-cab control button is then illuminated and the speaker notifies the driver that the system is ready to begin providing verbal driving directions. The dispatcher is notified on his monitor that the route information has been received by the vehicle.
Once underway, the driver can use the control button to replay the last voice prompt if necessary. If the driver goes off route by turning the wrong direction or missing a turn, the button signals the driver with a red LED and automatically begins providing revised directions to get the driver back on the correct route. The control button is also used to adjust speaker volume. Upon arriving at the destination, route guidance is automatically cancelled. This action also notifies the dispatcher, via a popup on his screen, that the vehicle has arrived at the destination.
FleetDirector TBT is the U.S. version of the well-proven SmartNav product from Trafficmaster, Teletrac’s parent company in the UK. With 25 OEM partners, SmartNav is the OEM-supplied navigation system of choice in the UK and Europe. OEM partners include BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Mazda, and Land Rover. Over 45,000 SmartNav units have been installed since 2002.
Additional information on the Teletrac FleetDirector system and TBT may be obtained by contacting Teletrac toll-free at 1-800-835-3872, on the Internet at www.teletrac.net or via e-mail at sales@teletrac.net.
