Irvine Ranch Water District
http://www.irwd.com/liquid-news/news-releases/archive/irvine-ranch-water-district-adds-telematics-to-fleet.html
Irvine Ranch Water District Adds Telematics to Fleet
Published Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500
Global Positioning Devices Allow Tracking of District Vehicles to Save You Money
Irvine Ranch Water District has installed a telematics system on its fleet of nearly 200 cars and light trucks. The system, which combines global positioning systems with a cellular communications link and a web-based interface, affords District staff complete accountability of its equipment and personnel at the click of a mouse.
“Rate payers are saved nearly $7,500 annually, because with this system, District vehicles are exempt from biennial smog checks,” said John Dayer, IRWD fleet manager. “Data from engine diagnostics is shared electronically with the California Air Resources Board under a continuous emissions monitoring program.”
Telematics has given supervisors and managers the ability to “manage what they cannot see.” Crews are more efficiently assigned to trouble calls by dispatching the nearest crew to the task. The same process reduces customer service response times.
A fleet maximum speed limit, introduced to improve fuel economy, is easily monitored from any computer. Combined with reduced idle times, these improvements yield a year-over-year fleet fuel economy improvement of 8.5 percent and a savings of more than $33,000 in fuel costs.
During the winter storms, GPS fleet tracking provided the ability to locate crews in canyon areas with limited radio and cellular coverage. Management was able to direct crews to avoid washed out roads, and prioritize response to multiple emergency repairs.
The measurable savings in smog check fees, improved fuel economy, and employee support of the program has made telematics one of the District’s most valuable management tools.
For more information, please visit our website.
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