Dumfries & Galloway appoints Ctrack to keep tabs on fleet
Dumfries & Galloway Council has awarded a four-year contract to Ctrack to provide vehicle tracking services across its entire fleet – a move which is expected to generate operating efficiencies, enhance health and safety, and reduce environmental impact.
Under the agreement, web-based Ctrack Online will be used across more than 600 vehicles made up of cars, vans, HGVs and buses, along with specialist assets such as gritters, sweepers and refuse collection vehicles.
The contract was awarded following a competitive tender process, which identified Ctrack as best placed to support Dumfries & Galloway Council’s diverse tracking requirements across a wide range of services including social work, construction, building services, road maintenance and waste management.
The telematics solution, which will replace an existing system that no longer meets the needs of the council, will be rolled out over the coming months.
In particular, the tracking solution will include Driver ID, which will provide greater insight into the status and whereabouts of mobile employees historically or in real-time, by allowing visibility and reporting by driver as well as by vehicle.
Meanwhile, vulnerable lone workers will be provided with panic alarms to enable them to operate safely in isolated or unfamiliar locations without being cut off, thereby giving direct access to assistance in case of an emergency or accident.
Councillor Colin Smyth, chairman of the economy, environment and infrastructure committee at the council, said: “Using advanced communications technology, this vehicle tracking system will enable us to be more efficient and responsible. It will reduce fuel use, minimise carbon emissions, protect staff, and provide enhanced service levels, meeting our fleet needs now and in the future.”
John Wisdom, managing director of Ctrack, added: “We are working with an increasing number of local authorities because of our ability to develop and support advanced vehicle tracking system that are tailored to meet precise operational needs. Councils have diverse vehicle fleets responsible for a wide range of services, so any telematics solution needs to reflect these unique requirements with high levels of scalability, functionality and flexibility.”
