Telematics-enabled Information System
Legacy information systems can be enhanced by fleet telematics functionality by installing a midlleware to support the communication between dispatchers and drivers, and to monitor transportation processes. In order to do so a Messaging & Fleet Monitoring System (MFMS) builds a bridge between the actual data provided by the Fleet Communication System system and the Traffic & Travel Information System, and the planned data provided by the Order & Fleet Management System (OFMS).
In order to support the communication between dispatchers and drivers, the MFMS provides user interfaces to write messages and to instruct drivers about new tasks. These user interfaces provide message templates incorporating data stored in the OFMS, e.g. the address of handling locations and the planned arrival times. Furthermore, the MFMS can display notifications to the dispatchers, e.g. if disturbances in transportation processes are identified.
In order to determine actual data, the MFMS analyses all incoming messages and monitors all planned events. The actual data is compared with the planned data and revised planned data is stored in the OFMS to consider the actual state of the transportation system. If ambiguities or problems are identified, the MFMS notifies dispatchers. Only messages which cannot be unambiguously interpreted by the MFMS have to be analysed by the dispatchers. In order to access and modify data stored in the OFMS, the MFMS takes over the role of the dispatchers.
Computer-based real-time decision support can be provided by integrating a Dynamic Planning System (DPS) into the telematics-enabled information system. All data required for computer-based decision support must be retrieved from the OFMS and the MFMS. In order to provide a unifying interface, the OFMS and the MFMS can be encapsulated within a wrapper package. Thus, the DPS does not have to be developed considering the specific interfaces of the legacy OFMS and the MFMS.
An Electronic Freight Market (EFM) may be integrated to support the entire life cycle from the acquisition of an order until the payment of the transportation service. Tracking & tracing functionalities and arrival time estimations can be supplied within the EFM to inform shippers about the current progress of transportation. This information can be used by shippers to plan handling activities and to optimise succeeding tasks. Furthermore, the higher level of information quality in terms of timely availability and reliability also significantly helps in the process of verification of invoices. This speeds up invoicing and can result in earlier payment of transportation services. As information provided to shippers is of much higher quality, there is no need for shippers to get additional information from the dispatchers. This gives further relief for the dispatchers.
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