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Home > 2023 > September

Month: September 2023
September 30, 2023

AIS 140 Compliance: Navigating the Requirements for GPS Tracking Devices

The Automotive Industry Standard Committee (AISC), along with the Ministry of Road Transportation and Highways (MoRTH), has come up with AIS, or Automotive Industry Standard. These are a set of guidelines that ensure road safety, while structuring an intelligent transport system at the same time.  AIS 140 is aimed at developing better control over transport infrastructure in India. Every commercial vehicle in the country has to be equipped with an AIS 140 compliant GPS tracking device with support for an emergency button accessible by the passengers and driver, along with a robust GPS tracking software to forward a real-time vehicle’s location and other vehicle performance data to proper authorities.

AIS 140 GPS specifications

  • Tracking ability using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) – location should be transmitted in real-time. It should also include support for GAGAN, the Indian Satellite Based Augmentation System.
  • A panic button is a must – it should be easily accessible so that authorities are alerted quickly as and when required.
  • Two different IP addresses – one set of data (PVT data) should be transferred to the first IP address for regulatory purposes, while the second IP address is exclusively for the emergency request system.
  • GPS device to support 4 digital, 2 analog and 1 serial communication (RS232) for interfacing external systems or peripherals ( for instance, the panic button – SOS buzzer).
  • An internal battery has a backup of minimum 4 hours, taking into account location update frequency at 60 seconds.
  • It should be able to transmit position, velocity and time (PVT) data to the back-end control room using the GSM/GPRS network.
  • The device has to come with an embedded SIM.
  • If there is GPRS failure, a configurable backup SMS feature needs to be present, along with the ability to receive firmware updates over the air.
  • Lastly, the AIS GPS device should be totally tamper-proof, so no one can disable it. The device has to be resistant to dust, temperature and water splashes too.

Which industries benefit from installing AIS 140 devices?

Commercial fleet owners

Be it trucks, buses, taxis, or logistics companies, all organizations that own and manage fleets of commercial vehicles, can benefit from these GPS trackers. They help in monitoring vehicle movements, optimizing routes, and ensuring compliance with government regulations.

Transportation and logistics companies

Businesses involved in transportation and logistics are extremely dependant on AIS 140 GPS trackers to keep tabs on cargo, ensure on-time deliveries, and maintain vehicle safety and compliance.

Government agencies

Government bodies responsible for supervising transportation systems, road safety, and compliance often mandate these trackers to ensure the safety and regulation of commercial vehicles.

Educational institutions

They use fleets of buses for student transportation – these trackers ensure that students are safe, while continuously monitoring bus routes and tracking location of vehicles in real-time.

Emergency services

First responders such as the police, ambulance, and fire departments use these trackers in their vehicles to take action quickly during emergencies and optimize response times.

Construction and infrastructure companies

Companies involved in construction and infrastructure projects use these trackers to monitor the location and usage of heavy equipment and vehicles on job sites.

Private vehicle owners

An AIS 140 device isn’t mandatory for private vehicles, but individuals may choose to install GPS trackers for added security, tracking, and anti-theft measures.

AIS 140 FAQs

What sectors must have AIS 140 devices?

As per the mandate issued by the Government of India, the following must adopt an AIS 140 GPS tracking device:

  • State Road Transport Corporations
  • Domestic and Interstate Private Bus Operators
  • Ambulances and Emergency Response Vehicles
  • Cars, Bus and Taxi Fleet Owners
  • Rent-a-Car Services
  • Taxi Ride Hailing Services

How is AIS 140 beneficial for transport systems in India?

Compliance with AIS 140 standards can ensure passenger safety, while allowing authorities to respond quickly to incidents. It improves public transport operations via real-time tracking, monitors performance metrics for vehicles, and keeps tabs on drivers to ensure they are indulging in safe driving and following road safety rules. The geo-fencing feature allows creation of virtual boundaries, and alerts are instantly triggered if vehicles enter or exit pre-defined areas. It ensures that drivers aren’t deviating from their routes or running personal errands on duty. Yet another benefit is that the data recorded by these AIS 140 devices can offer insights into vehicle operations, including routes, idle time, fuel consumption, running kilometers and overall performance.

Why is such a mandate required?

A couple of unfortunate incidents that compromised the safety of occupants in public transport vehicles have prompted the Government of India to rigorously enforce AIS 140 standards.

What are the major challenges of vehicles being declared AIS 140 compliant?

  • There are two wireless technologies (GNSS and GSM/GPRS) and their antennas, involved here, so due caution has to be exercised during the installation of devices in vehicles. In the case of GNSS, the installation is even more important, as compared to GSM, since the signal strength of GNSS is weaker. It should be ensured that the device is installed at a place with proper visibility and minimal obstructions. There shouldn’t be any metallic surfaces in surrounding areas as they might interfere with the performance of the antennas and also have a significant impact on the location accuracy.
  • The device has to be connected to the vehicle battery directly or via ignition, so the routing of wiring is integral in minimizing accidental damage to harness and electro-magnetic interference.

What is the penalty for non-compliance?

Penalties usually vary from state to state. Offenders might have to shell out hefty sums, or face suspension of the vehicle registration. In extreme cases their vehicle permit could be cancelled.

To put it in a nutshell, AIS 140 standards are formulated and implemented mainly to ensure the safety of people travelling in public transportation systems. Features such as GPS tracking, panic buttons and real time monitoring allows concerned authorities to respond quickly to emergency situations and ensure safe and reliable public transportation.
September 15, 2023

Unlocking Efficiency with Connected Fleet Management Solutions

Any organization that operates a fleet should know that its success and profitability depends on fleet efficiency. While managing a large number of vehicles or scheduling deliveries can be taxing, there are several ways to ensure that your drivers stay on track. The problem is many fleets are still using outdated management methods. That is why you require a fleet management strategy targeted to boost efficiency. For instance, leveraging software to get access to data & insights and maximize productivity is being increasingly used by fleet managers.

Here are some ways to improve efficiency for your fleet – take a look:

Use connected fleet management software

When it comes to fleet management, staying in touch with your team in real-time helps make the best decisions to ensure success. It meansthat managers are constantly updated regarding their fleet’s progress, current location, etc. which improves uptime and helps to achieve targets. Anstel’s connected fleet solution helps to automate routine tasks, optimize maintenance schedules and track important metrics. Our fleet management software is both intuitive and scalable.

Keep an eye on fuel costs

If you don’t track your fuel usage, it will negatively affect your overall budget. Managers can use GPS that tracks their drivers’ location to ensure that drivers are taking fuel-efficient routes. Fuel consumption can be monitored by keeping a check on idle time and driving patterns. For example, when managing fleets of large vehicles, idling might cost several gallons of gas! Monitor regularly if drivers are indulging in unsafe behavior like rapid acceleration, hard braking, etc. as it may impact fuel costs. As mentioned above, our connected fleet software can be integral in these aspects. Find out what problem areas you can address and coach your drivers accordingly.

Implement preventive and predictive maintenance

Wouldn’t it be great to detect minor issues in vehicles and resolve those before they balloon into something that is extremely expensive to fix? Schedule your fleet for routine checkups and services like oil changes, fluid refills and wheel and brake inspections to ensure that all parts are up-to-date. Preventive maintenance saves both time and money in the long run, while ensuring your vehicles run smoothly during operation. Using a remote diagnostic system such as Anstel’s OBD-II device, you can get information about vehicle health and be alerted of any issues that arise. Sensors trigger an alert when there is an urgent problem that requires immediate action or allow you to set service reminders that notify drivers when it is time for an oil change.

Predictive maintenance ensures you get notifications when parts have to be replaced, so you can get it done right away. Dealing with maintenance issues as soon as they come up will keep your fleet running efficiently. The data being generated by connected fleet software helps to predict when you have to replace parts, thus, you can order them well in advance.

Optimize routes

It is imperative to map out efficient and cost-effective routes from one point to another. This strategy allows shipments to reach on time, while drivers can complete more deliveries. Sticking to estimated arrival times can help enhance your company’s reputation, for making quick deliveries on time. Using route optimization software gives you real-time updates as to whether drivers are sticking to designated routes, or deviating from them. If there is a traffic jam, the software can chalk out alternative routes and quickly notify drivers so deliveries can still be completed with minimal hassle.

Make use of real-time tracking

What to do if drivers have an accident on the road? Or use company vehicles for personal errands? An advanced GPS-based system is a must, which supports real-time tracking and allows geo-fencing. You know the precise location of drivers and vehicles, so if there is any issue on the road, you can dispatch help without further delay. The tracking software lets you create geo-fences, so you know when a driver enters or leaves a specific area. If they are deviating from these zones to run errands or there is any theft involved, the technology comes in handy.

Centralize fleet management data

Your fleet is already using GPS tracking systems and other software to boost efficiency. While they are excellent to gain insight into the fleet, trying to manage data across multiple systems can be tough. Fleet management software seamlessly integrates with other fleet solutions to provide a comprehensive view of your data. Centralizing the data increases its value by allowing easy analysis of key metrics and keeping you better informed. For instance, the OBD-II device generates data about vehicle health that is automatically updated in the central dashboard. These updates trigger service reminders to keep your maintenance schedule on track.

Check for safety compliance

You must not compromise on driver safety – it is one of the best ways to ensure that vehicles arrive at their destinations on time. Unsafe driving may endanger your fleet while putting other drivers in harm’s way. On the other hand, safe driving leads to fewer tickets and accidents, reducing the chance of legal problems and possibly lowering insurance costs. Use IoT (Internet of Things) enabled sensors that decrease the risks of an accident while tracking the speed of a vehicle. They even measure idle time, stops, or off-route miles. This information can help you better train your drivers to comply with government safety regulations.

Calculate cost of ownership

Regardless of how many vehicles you have, managing the fleet’s budget can be challenging! If you use connected fleet management software, it provides real-time expense insights and automatically calculates the total cost of ownership. Understanding this helps to make data-driven decisions to improve efficiency. Fleet management software streamlines expense management to provide clear insight into your spending. Apart from tracking total cost of ownership, managers can monitor and control expenditures like fuel, parts for in-house maintenance, and other recurring expenses.

Analyze fleet reports

Lastly, you must understand how your fleet functions, in order to increase and sustain fleet efficiency. Measuring metrics like utilization, expenses, performance and maintenance give you insight into what is working positively and what needs improvement. Our fleet management software generates useful information that can be shared with other stakeholders. A regular analysis can assist in finding solutions to issues while improving operations.

Fleet managers should keep their eye on the big picture – boosting productivity and efficiency, which ultimately adds to the bottom line. Anstel’s connected fleet management solutions are just what they need to achieve that purpose, and ensure their fleets operate in a hassle-free manner.



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