Translink commits to MiX by Powerfleet for another year

Birmingham, UK – 27 November 2019 – Northern Ireland public transport services provider, Translink, has renewed its fleet management contract with MiX by Powerfleet for a further 12-months. Originally taken out in 2012, the contract provides a bespoke range of connected services across Translink's fleet of 1,449 passenger-carrying vehicles.

At the core of the solution is MiX Fleet Manager, MiX by Powerfleet's onboard computer, and RIBAS (see Editor's note) which provides drivers with feedback on their driving style.  In addition to monitoring driver and vehicle performance, Fleet Manager captures engineering data to provide advance warning of events such as engine overheat.  Two other key functions of the solution are the integration of Fleet Manager with Translink's ticket machines to provide a single sign-on and ID point for drivers, and a bridge height warning feature.  Fitted to all double-deckers, the bridge height warning system detects bridges which have been geo-fenced by MiX by Powerfleet and provides the driver with an audible alarm whenever any of these bridges are approached.

"For us, MiX by Powerfleet delivers the information we require to manage our fleet in a clear, simple and efficient way, hence our decision to extend the contract for another year," comments David Curry, General Manager, Bus Operations for Translink. 

"In particular, the red-amber-green 'RAGs' driver reports generated by the system enables us to monitor the performance of our driving staff easily and rapidly in order to identify areas where additional training would be beneficial. The other features we currently employ include engineering data and bridge-height monitoring. Both are important to us in that they help minimise downtime and enhance safety in our operations. For the future, we are looking to extend the benefits provided by MiX by Powerfleet by developing a system of real-time traffic information to link to our vehicles, bus stops and the Translink journey planner app."

Editor's note – RIBAS

RIBAS is an optional in-cab driving aid which forms part of the Telematics Fleet Manager solution.  RIBAS features a dashboard-mounted display unit with an array of Green/Amber/Red status lights.  These provide instant feedback to reflect the current driving-style by telling the driver when he or she is driving correctly, when a pre-programmed operational parameter is in danger of being exceeded, and when a parameter has been exceeded.  In this way, RIBAS works pro-actively to help drivers stay within their vehicle's pre-programmed safety and efficiency parameters at all times. 

The green status light, which takes the form of a MiX by Powerfleet logo at the foot of the display unit, indicates that a vehicle is being driven correctly.  In such circumstances, this is the only light illuminated on the display.

The amber and red status lights are incorporated into the icons appearing alongside the RIBAS letters, each of which stands for a pre-programmed operational parameter where:

R = over Revving

I =  excessive Idling

B = harsh Braking

A = harsh Acceleration

S = over Speeding