PeopleNet (www.peoplenetonline.com), a provider of fleet mobility technology, introduced two new fleet solutions for weather and road conditions alerts and interactive fleet communications: myRoads and myMedia.
myRoads
myRoads is a weather alerting solution that provides drivers with information on current and forecasted road and weather conditions along their route. With myRoads, fleets can access data related to current radar, temperature, precipitation and wind speed to determine if a vehicle is in or near inclement weather that could impact driver safety and delivery time.
The myRoads solution will be available on Android-based tablets as part of the ConnectedFleet platform—which connects drivers, devices and equipment in real-time—to display real-time road conditions and current and forecasted weather information. When the truck is not in motion, drivers can view animated maps that show road conditions as well as long-term weather forecasts. When a driver is behind the wheel, the myRoads text-to-speech functionality allows drivers to play detailed weather warnings related to severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, torrential rains and heavy winds.
“From posing safety risks to drivers to causing delayed arrival times, weather can have a big impact on a fleet’s bottom line,” said Jim Rodi, Executive Vice President/Group General Manager, Transportation for PeopleNet. “With myRoads, drivers have access to active radar detailing road conditions and forecasts along their route, giving them the knowledge they need to either modify their driving or reroute to avoid hazardous weather.”
According to the most recent U.S. Department of Transportation study between 2005 and 2014, 22 percent of all vehicle crashes were weather-related. Of these crashes, 73 percent are caused by wet roadways. In addition, the Federal Highway Administration projects that weather-related delays add $3.4 million a year to freight costs.With myRoads, drivers can plan ahead to adjust their driving to match road conditions, better anticipate delays and adjust travel plans as needed.
“At PeopleNet, we are in the business of providing our customers with insight and information to make better decisions,” said Rodi. “The critical weather data provided by myRoads is another way we are giving drivers easy access to new data to help them be safer and more effective.”
myMedia
myMedia is a software application that gives fleets the ability to exchange documents, photos, videos and other multimedia files between drivers and back office personnel.
The myMedia solution will be available on Android-based devices as part of PeopleNet’s ConnectedFleet™ platform—which connects drivers, devices and equipment in real-time—to allow customers to share audio, video and PDF files. Users can send multiple files at a time with the ability to target distribution to an entire fleet, specific individuals or a customized distribution list.
“With myMedia, drivers and back office users can now share important files to help improve efficiencies and productivity across their entire fleet,” said Eric Witty, Vice President of Product Management for PeopleNet. “With open platforms today, carriers expect to have the ability to use the platform creatively, whether it is to share important company news and training videos across a driver base or for an individual driver to submit images of Proof of Delivery (POD) documents to the back office.”
When a driver receives a file, myMedia stores it locally on the in-cab display, so the driver can quickly access it later, regardless if a device is connected to a network. Drivers can also take photos and videos in the field, storing them on their Android device and sending them to the back office.
“When it comes to driver and back office communications, more information helps to tell the whole story,” said Witty. “myMedia is another example of PeopleNet’s commitment to enable this through increased connectivity and streamlined communication.”
PeopleNet debuted myRoads and myMedia at the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) 2017 Annual Convention in Cincinnati from April 30-May 2.
