The Geotab solution has helped a German operator achieve its sustainability goals.
Before it settled on Geotab, German transport operator DG Regio Bus previously trialled another telematics system to manage its 29 companies and 10,000-vehicle fleet.
“The solution we chose initially was unable to deliver the expected data diversity, data quality and speed, and the hardware didn’t meet our quality standards,” DB Regio Bus senior telematics specialist Peter Hecker told ABC.
In 2020, the operator began using Geotab’s telematics solutions for its varying fleet types, including non-articulated, articulated, electric, touring and minibuses. Since then, the market leader of local transport throughout Germany hasn’t looked back.
Running thousands of buses through Germany daily, it is important for DB Regio Bus to gain insight into the health of each of its buses to help keep passengers safe, maximise uptime and reduce maintenance costs. Leveraging the Geotab solution throughout its fleet has allowed DB Regio Bus to observe relevant data insights related to each vehicle’s condition on one single platform.
DB Regio Bus says Geotab’s solution has helped transform how the transport provider looks at data. In terms of vehicle maintenance, the Geotab solution offers clear benefits for analysing, processing and reporting technical anomalies, including:
· faults on the CAN bus system (e.g., condition of the passenger doors or door faults)
· timely detection in the event of insufficient or significant deviation in brake pad thickness
· measurement of workshop visits and availability times
· assessment of the installation quality
The solution also leverages active warning lights to notify drivers and fleet operators about high electricity consumption and faulty parts of the bus.
Passengers are front of mind for DB Regio Bus, specifically regarding day-to-day operations, as punctuality and driver style influence passengers’ satisfaction. Geotab’s solutions help ensure punctuality regarding the network’s timetable. Using updated technical maintenance, DB Regio Bus helps ensure vehicles are ready to drive and on time. In addition, it can help schedule maintenance work quickly to prevent delays or cancellations.
SUSTAINABILITY
DB Regio Bus operates through more than 400 districts and self-governing cities and prides itself on being a climate-friendly mobility company. In 2020, the group reduced carbon emissions by more than 34 per cent compared to 2006 levels.
Beyond maintenance, Geotab’s telematics solution can provide insights into why a vehicle collision occurs, as well as helping fleets focus on sustainability. For standard buses, data insights can help operators optimise fuel consumption. For electric buses, the solution allows operators to observe electric vehicle data to better manage charging and understand range.
When it comes to electric buses, Geotab can monitor the charging statuses of the fleet, ranging from the state of charge to the remaining range and charging interruptions. DB Regio Bus estimates that, in two years, it will have substantially reduced its fuel costs and have saved on vehicle condition and driving behaviours.
An area of huge emissions reductions has come from implementing environmentally friendly driving styles. Observing data and driving patterns informs drivers and helps them improve their habits to lower fuel consumption and improve the safety of the driver and the passengers. DB Regio Bus introduced the Fairfleet Eco-App software that leverages aggregate data processed by Geotab and delivers immediate feedback to drivers.
The software has been well received by the drivers as it reduces stress and results in reduced fuel costs, as well as lowering risk of accidents and increasing passenger comfort.
“Our aim is to reduce our carbon emissions by up to 15,000 tonnes annually by using the Eco-App,” DB Regio Bus senior telematics specialist Peter Hecker says.
“This takes the pressure off around 1,200,000 trees per year, and it doesn’t end there. We’ve found that drivers experience less stress, meaning we’re able to do our part for the environment by lowering emissions while the passengers enjoy greater comfort and the company reduces its costs.”
Whether it be sustainable advantages or flexibility for a massive fleet, Hecker says Geotab’s telematics options have been a gamechanger for the German operator.
“We believe that we are making a relevant contribution to higher air quality while simultaneously reducing our drivers’ stress levels and increasing profitability,” Hecker says.
“We are also using the opportunities that digitalisation offers us to increase passenger safety. By switching to Geotab, we have considerably extended our potential for savings.”