The Trailer Tracking FAQ
Trailer 54, Where Are You?
FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions, a phrase from the early days of the Internet. It's applied here to trailer tracking, a field where new ideas and new players have emerged, especially in the era of Homeland Security.
John Bendel
Technology Editor
How does trailer tracking work?
A trailer is equipped with a device that determines its location, then transmits that information wirelessly to a service center. The service center displays the location on a digital map or in report form on a web site or over a dedicated line. Depending on the system, an onboard unit can report at set intervals, say, once a day. Or it can report when it meets a defined parameter, when it crosses a state line or arrives at a shipper's dock, for example.
You can also add extra sensors to determine if a trailer door is open or closed, if the trailer is empty or loaded or to monitor temperature.
How does the onboard unit know its position?
In most cases, the onboard unit determines its location based on signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites operated by the U.S. military. There is an alternative to GPS noted among the vendors listed below.
How does the tracking unit communicate?
Onboard devices talk to the service center in one of three ways:
High orbit satellites: These satellites generally stay in the same place in the sky relative to the earth — over North America, for example. Advantage: Coverage extends to the most remote areas. Disadvantage: Transmissions can be blocked by mountains and urban buildings.
Low earth orbit satellites: These satellites are arrayed in "constellations" that orbit the earth at high speeds. Advantage: Coverage is almost universal. Disadvantage: Depending on the constellation, there may be gaps in time when no satellite is available; or perhaps one satellite is blocked by an object and there is no other in range or line-of-sight.
Ground-based cellular: These systems generally use the widely deployed analog cellular network for the greatest coverage. Some use both digital and analog networks. Advantage: Messaging costs less and more data can be exchanged. Disadvantage: Coverage is less than total and remote areas are off the grid.
What does 'latency' mean?
Latency refers to the gap between the time a signal is sent, say from a trailer tracking unit, to the time it is received and displayed for dispatch. Many cellular systems store messages when out of coverage and send the stored data when service becomes available again. Satellite systems may or may not store and resend.
Latency is more of an issue in driver communications than in trailer tracking. If a trailer reports once a day, latency isn't important. Of course, tracking a stolen trailer minute by minutes is another matter.
How difficult is installation?
This is not an issue for fleets that return to base daily or for small fleets that can be equipped over time. But it's a major consideration for large fleets on tight schedules and narrow profit margins. Some systems are designed specifically for quick installation over large fleets, but that may come at a cost in function or security.
What does it cost?
First you'll pay for the onboard units, installation and perhaps activation. Per-unit hardware costs can range from less than $300 in quantity to almost $900. Ongoing charges begin at well under $10 per month per unit, but rise with the number of reports a fleet requires and the amount of data in each. If you use trailer tracking strictly to optimize trailer usage, you won't need many reports. That won't be the case if you have more time-critical functions in mind, say for customer service or just-in-time updates. Of course, added sensors cost money and increase the amount of data transmitted.
Who are the suppliers?
A number of national and regional trailer tracking suppliers create customized systems using components from various sources while major mobilecom suppliers whose components are used in trailer tracking do not market such systems themselves — Trimble Navigation, for one. There are also trailer tracking suppliers that have discontinued one product while developing another, Qualcomm and Waveburst Communications are two examples. The field is in constant flux and we can't possibly list everyone, but we have attempted to round up the most prominent, national providers of trailer tracking products and services. They are listed here in alphabetical order.
AeroAstro
Ashburn, Va., and Boston
www.aeroastro.com
Space technology company AeroAstro markets the SENS (Sensor Enabled Notification System) asset tracking system. SENS communicates in very short messages over the GlobalStar low-earth-orbit satellite constellation. Messages can be at scheduled intervals and/or triggered by specific events. Locations are made available to fleets over the Internet. AeroAstro claims a 3.5-year battery life, 100% coverage all the time and very low initial cost. However, communication is one direction only, from the trailer to a service center.
Aether Systems Inc.
Owings Mills, Md.
www.aethersystems.com
Aether offers two distinct trailer tracking products. The first is called TrailerMax and provides GPS locations over the Numerex Cellemetry network, which carries short data messaging over control channels on the analog cellular network. TrailerMax sends location reports up to four times a day. Its battery life is guaranteed to be a least 30 days in untethered operation.
The second product is called GeoLogic, which is entirely event driven; it reports only when certain parameters have been met, say, when it is moved from an authorized site. GeoLogic communicates by satellite and offers longer battery life since it reports its position only when necessary, not at set intervals. The GeoLogic system is being deployed in the expedited truckload fleet of U.S. Xpress.
AirIQ
Pickering, Ont. Canada
www.airiq.com
AirIQ offers untethered trailer tracking in an array of configurations. On the trailer side, AirIQ onboard units come in dry van, flat bed, reefer and tanker versions. All communicate over ground-based cellular networks, including the Aeris Microburst. Like the Cellemetry network, Aeris employs a control channel over the analog cellular network. Trailer GPS positions are available to dispatchers through the AirIQ web site on maps or as configurable reports. AirIQ's batteries last up to 60 days untethered.
CSI Fleet-Link
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
www.csi-wireless.com
The CSI onboard unit sends its GPS position over the Aeris MicroBurst cellular-based network. A fleet can program up to 65 specific events or exceptions that will generate a report, depending on sensors that are added to the basic system. The CSI unit draws power from a truck's electrical system, but will operate for 60 days untethered. According to CSI, an optional 4.5-watt solar panel will enable position reports every hour for years.
Fleetilla Inc.
Trenton, Mich.
www.fleetilla.com
Fleetilla offers the FL800 trailer tracking system that provides GPS positioning over the Aeris Microburst network. Fleets see the data on a web site. According to Fleetilla, the FL800 battery will provide untethered power for six months, reporting once a day.
GE TIP
Devon, Pa.
www.tiptrailers.com
Trailer leasing giant GE TIP recently introduced the GE VeriWise trailer tracking system. According to GE, the system features a four-year battery that can operate up to four months untethered and can be recharged with a mobile charging unit as well as by a truck's electrical system. Initially, the system will be deployed to GE customers who will access information on the GE web site. The GE VeriWise unit will communicate over a low-earth-orbit satellite system. However, GE has not announced which system that will be. According to GE, the system will eventually be made available commercially.
GPS Management
Brownsburg, Ind.
www.gpsmanagement.com
GPS Management offers the solar powered MB3000-TLU (Trailer Locating Unit) that requires no connection to a truck's electrical system. The MB3000 contains a backup battery that will function for up to 14 days at one report per day and will recharge when the unit is in the sunlight again. The MB3000 communicates over the Aeris Microburst network. Fleets see trailer locations on the Internet through the GPS Management web site.
Qualcomm Inc.
San Diego, Calif.
www.qualcomm.com
Qualcomm dropped out of the untethered trailer tracking market in 2001, though it has since introduced the GlobalTRACS asset-tracking system for the construction industry. Qualcomm has said it plans to adapt GlobalTRACS to the more price-competitive trucking market. Meanwhile, Qualcomm still offers TrailerTRACS, which reports locations when hooked to a power unit, and more importantly, creates a time-stamped report whenever a trailer is hooked or unhooked. TrailerTRACS communicates over Qualcomm's OmniTRACS satellite communications system and requires no battery.
SkyBitz
Dulles, Va.
www.skybitz.com
The SkyBitz onboard unit uses what it calls GLS (Global Locating System) instead of GPS, one difference being that the geographical location of the trailer is calculated on the ground, not onboard. According to SkyBitz, GLS rivals the accuracy of GPS but cuts the onboard power required down to eight common AA batteries per unit. SkyBitz communicates through a high geo-synchronous satellite for wide coverage and can be set to report at certain intervals or queried on an as-needed basis.
Dispatch views trailer locations on the SkyBitz web site. SkyBitz recently announced a sale to Landstar Systems.
Terion Inc.
Plano, Texas
www.terion.com
Terion's FleetView trailer tracking system provides GPS locations over Verizon's Win4 data network. FleetView offers two antenna options. One is a traditional flat antenna for a trailer roof; the other is mounted inside a trailer running light — a configuration unique to Terion. According to Terion, a FleetView battery transmitting one position report a day will last between 45 and 60 days untethered. FleetView is deployed in the XTRA Lease trailer rental fleet and at truckload giant J.B. Hunt.
Vistar Telecommunications Inc.
Ottawa, Ont. Canada
www.vistar.ca
Vistar Datacom offers the GlobalWave system for tracking and GPS. The GlobalWave MT2000 transceiver communicates over a high-orbit, geosynchronous satellite, which provides near universal North American coverage. With an optional lithium battery, an MT2000 can operate for up to four years. Standard batteries recharge when the tractor is hooked. GlobalWave is a longtime player in the trailer-tracking market.
