Vehicle monitoring and fleet management company Ctrack has launched cDrive, a driver behaviour solution that uses information sent from a vehicle to improve its energy efficiency.

cDrive measures seven variables a second, including the speed of the vehicle, its location, how fast the vehicle is accelerating and decelerating, the speed at which it turns corners, and how fast brakes are applied.

Ctrack parent company DigiCore chief technology officer James Verster explains that a telematics device with a built-in accelerometer is fitted in a vehicle. “This is paired with a software component that analyses the information for the most accurate results possible.”

These measurements are taken relative to the exact position of the vehicle on a map, enabling fleet managers to monitor all their vehicles on a real-time basis.

“The software compares the behaviour of drivers on similar routes. “This enables managers and the drivers, who can log onto the system at any time, to see how their performance compares with others,” says Verster.

There is a leaderboard that rates and ranks the drivers according to specific metrics, such as speeding and harsh braking. Companies are able to use this to identify drivers that require specific training.

Further, cDrive includes a driver behaviour indicator on the dashboard of a vehicle that has green, yellow, and red light emitting diode lights, which change according to how well, or poorly, the person drives. This allows the person to improve his or her driving in real time without having to log into the system. It features an audible alert, informing the driver that an infraction has been com- mitted.

“cDrive is a combination of industrial and consumer markets, which aims to reduce risk as it monitors the effect driver behaviour has on the condition of the vehicle,” says Verster.

He notes that insurance companies, such as Discovery, are using the system to calcu- late a risk index score of its clients, while rewarding them for good driving behaviour.

“We have seen consumers saving up to 20% on their fuel bills by using the system and driving conservatively. “You are ultimately driving ‘more green’ by increasing the energy in your vehicle,” says Verster.

Ctrack is currently rolling out the solu- tion in the Australia, South Africa, the Netherlands and the UK, and has already begun discussions with countries in Asia.

“One of the key elements of the system is that it measures the total cost of ownership of a vehicle, from fuel efficiency and tyre wear to the impact of toll gates and other maintenance costs.

“Another key market for us is the young driver society – parents who buy cars for their school-leaving children and would like to see how safely they are driving,” he says.

Ctrack also plans to expand the solution with the release of a smartphone applica- tion. This will provide users with a diagram, showing the driver how to possibly improve his or her driving.

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