As haulage companies and operators come under growing cost pressure and environmental scrutiny, they are becoming increasingly interested in computer-supported fleet management systems on-board their vehicles.
Scania is now launching a new fleet management concept, creating three distinct packages of services to fit the varying needs of individual haulage companies.

Scania Fleet Management is based on a little “black box’ called the Scania Communicator, which is installed on the truck and automatically gathers information from the vehicle, such as fuel consumption, driving style and braking behaviour. This information is then transmitted wirelessly to the office along with GPS positioning data. 

With the help of this system, operators can keep track of exactly where their vehicles are, their fuel consumption, how they are being driven and when it is time for the next service . They can then use this information to improve their profitability and reduce their environmental impact. The transport operators can also examine information downloaded from the new generation of digital tachographs.

Johan Berglund, head of Fleet Management at Scania.

“There is great interest in fleet management solutions among transport companies and operators. They are all extremely cost-conscious and are looking at every opportunity to improve efficiency. Because fuel often accounts for one  third of their total costs, all fuel savings represent money that goes straight into their pockets,” says Johan Berglund, head of Fleet Management at Scania.

1. Weekly e-mail report
   The Monitoring package entails that a straightforward vehicle fleet performance summary is sent by e-mail to the operator. This enables the office to monitor such variables as fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions and to monitor trends and divergences for each vehicle. This service is best suited to small transport companies with up to 15 vehicles.
2. Monitoring driving style
   The Analysis package enables transport companies to carry out in-depth analyses of vehicle and driver performance. Since all data is stored on the Scania Fleet Management Internet portal, the office can study each vehicle and driver in depth during selected periods. The results are reported in an easy-to-understand “traffic light” format (red-amber-green). For example, the company can make plans to provide driver training and coaching based on driving patterns, as well as plan the maintenance.
3. Tracking the location of each vehicle
   The Control package provides further opportunities to follow the fleet and drivers. The haulage company can follow exactly where on the map the various vehicles are located, ensure that the system alerts them if the vehicle deviates from a predetermined route or is about to arrive at its destination.

Contact your nearest Scania workshop for more information.

Long dashboard with Scania Colour Plus instrument cluster

Rising fuel prices, increased environmental awareness and tougher demands on driver skills make it necessary for transport operators to have access to more information in order to optimise operations and boost profitability. Scania’s customer commitment therefore goes one step further.

The new service allows operators to interpret and analyse vehicle and driver data in a transparent way. Since it is equally useful on a mixed fleet of vehicles, this will help any operator to keep down costs, increase revenues and facilitate environmentally adapted driving.

The service provides a clear and simple overview of the fuel consumption and performance of individual vehicles, as well as tracking and information on how each vehicle has been driven – information that can be used to help improve profitability and reduce environmental impact. Included in the service is a logging and communication unit on-board the vehicle (Scania Communicator), a communication subscription and a web-based office interface.

Data collector and portal

Scania Communicator collects data from the vehicle. On the office portal, the data is analysed against parameters set by the customer and then reported in an easy-to-understand manner, highlighting where action can be taken. Individual vehicles and drivers can be studied, as well as groups of vehicles or the whole fleet.

The information is useful from a cost and environment perspective in terms of fuel consumption and vehicle performance. The information can then be used as an effective tool when training drivers in fuel-efficient and environmentally suitable driving, which in turn impacts maintenance costs as well as road safety.

The portal also offers other operational efficiency management tools, including vehicle tracking and exception reporting, maintenance planning and environmental reporting to name just a few.

Digital tacho data

During 2009 a new functionality will be introduced on the Scania Communicator that allows wireless downloading of driver card as well as digital tachograph data to a secure storage location where it can be viewed and analysed. This will require the use of next generation digital tachographs due for release from the tachograph suppliers during 2009.

On-board support

Scania offers several on-board solutions that support the driver’s work and facilitate interaction with the office.

The Scania Interactor range of on-board computers also supports data collection and analysis and is available in two sizes: Scania Interactor 300 and 500 with 7-inch and 10-inch touch screens.

The Scania Interactor 500 is an open Windows-based platform that permits free installation of third-party software, whereas the 300 is intended for pre-installed software. Both allow for the same functionality with Scania fleet management software and now include truck-adapted navigation for Germany, UK, France and Benelux as standard.

Scania Driver Log and Scania Order Support are services designed for simple integration into administration and order handling systems at the office.

Various national fleet management packages are available from Scania distributors.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Cameron, Scania Fleet Management, mobile tel. +46 70 7989405, email mark.cameron[at]scania.com

 
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Scania has a particularly broad bus and coach offer to cater for different customer needs in different markets, from low-floor city buses to the most exclusive luxury coaches. Full aftermarket support is provided via the Scania service network.

• Scania OmniCity: full low-floor 2-axle or 3-axle articulated city bus
• Scania OmniLink: low-entrance 2- or 3-axle single bus or 3-axle articulated city, suburban or interurban bus
• Scania OmniExpress: 2- or 3-axle intercity or tourist coach, two heights for intercity or coach use
• Scania Irizar i4: 2- or 3-axle intercity or tourist coach, three floor layouts for regular rural, intercity or coach use
• Scania Irizar Century: 2- or 3-axle tourist coach
• Scania Irizar PB: 2- or 3-axle luxury coach

Particular attention has been paid to the driver environment, which is based on Scania’s new driver station. Driver appeal is second-to-none and many studies have highlighted the importance for safety of good interaction between driver and vehicle.

Scania Irizar Century

Scania Irizar range

Powertrains with EGR for maximum convenience

Scania’s bus engines are all equipped with Scania EGR, exhaust gas recirculation, requiring no aftertreatment equipment or additives on-board the vehicle. All engines up to 360 hp are available as EEV (enhanced environmentally friendly vehicle). Engines that meet Euro 5 emission standards extend up to 480 hp.

The new 9-litre 360 hp EEV engine for the intercity and coach segments provides a lightweight alternative for 2-axle coaches and 2- and 3-axle intercity buses.

Torque delivery and driveability are outstanding for all engines in the new range, minimising the need for gearchanges and providing a relaxed ride. The new bus range is also available with Euro 4 and Euro 3 engines.

Gearbox options include manual gearboxes with Scania Comfort Shift, an electronic gearshift servo, as standard. Automated gearchanging, Scania Opticruise, is optional, as well as fully automatic ZF transmissions.

Unique renewable fuel solution

Scania also offers operators the unique possibility of specifying a diesel engine adapted to run on ethanol in city buses. The technology is highly efficient, since combustion takes place according to the diesel principle, and has been proven in 20 years of busy city traffic in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, for example.

This renewable fuel cuts CO2 emissions by up to 90% if produced in a sustainable way from Brazilian sugar cane. Being a liquid fuel, distribution and handling are exceptionally simple and production of ethanol is booming all over the world.

The diesel-ethanol engine is a 270 hp 9-litre unit with 1200 Nm of torque.

New articulated bus

Scania now offers two types of articulated buses. The Scania OmniCity, which has been sold for more than a decade, is now complemented by a low-entrance OmniLink. The two types are also available as assembly kits supplied to selected bodybuilders.

The new low-entrance articulated bus, which is intended for intercity traffic involving long-distance and BRT systems, has a higher floor from the second axle and rearwards, a layout that provides numerous benefits:

• Greater passenger capacity. No intruding wheel housings in the higher rear section.
• Greater comfort with a maximum number of seats, all facing forward, but less room for standees.
• Disabled passengers or passengers with prams have easy access to the low-floor area via the 1st and 2nd doors.
• Simpler mechanicals and better fuel economy with the longitudinal powertrain.

The version with a full-length low floor is intended for inner-city applications requiring a fast flow of passengers.

The new low-entrance articulated bus is available with the 310 hp 9-litre Euro 4 engine.

Instrument cluster

• New instrument cluster with improved graphics on all models
• 10 extra lamp positions for bodywork functions
• Information from digital tachograph can be displayed
• Three variants: Basic, Colour plus and VDV
• Programmable fields (Colour plus)

Scania Basic bus instrument cluster

Basic
3.8-inch monochrome display
Basic trip computer included
Functions controlled from steering wheel
Minor gauges for coolant temperature and fuel
Display fields (top to bottom):

• Gearbox information and time
• Messages, warnings and menus
• Warning symbols
• Odometer, ambient temperature, frost warning

Scania Colour Plus bus instrument cluster

Colour plus
6.5-inch full-colour TFT display
Trip computer included
Functions controlled from steering wheel
Minor gauges for fuel consumption, engine oil pressure, coolant temperature and fuel
Display fields (top to bottom):

• Gearbox information and time
• Programmable field – driver selects functions to display
• Messages, warnings and menus
• Warning symbols
• Programmable field – driver selects functions to display
• Odometer, ambient temperature, frost warning

Scania VDV-adapted bus instrument cluster

VDV version
3.8-inch monochrome display
Fulfills the VDV recommendation.
Specially developed for city buses.
Easy menu structure controlled by a single button on the dashboard
Two gauges: speedometer and tachometer
Bus picture with visual presentation of doors, ramps, kneeling and brakes in the display
Display fields (top to bottom):

• Gearbox information and time
• Messages, warnings and menus
• Warning symbols
• Odometer, ambient temperature, frost warning

Adjustable VDV dashboard

Linked to the VDV instrument cluster is a dashboard for urban buses conforming to the VDV recommendation 234. The recommendation has attracted a considerable following among public transport companies and trade unions in Germany and Spain, for instance. The purpose is to provide a type of standard workplace for bus drivers where they readily feel at home and know the whereabouts of all vital controls.

Scania has integrated the VDV recommendations into Scania’s new driver station, maintaining the ergonomics while adding the features required. The result is stylish and very driver-friendly. Much appreciated features like the generous steering wheel adjustment for tilt and reach, and pendant pedals are naturally retained. The entire dashboard is also adjustable for reach, moving with the steering wheel when adjusted.

Acceleration control

Passenger comfort and safety are of primary importance to a city bus operator. So is fuel economy and, closely related to that, environmental impact.

Scania is now introducing acceleration control as an option, designed to smooth out the ride when the bus is less than fully laden, eliminating the jerking associated with busy city traffic. This function has been developed at the request of several city bus operators.

The function controls acceleration electronically, taking into account the actual weight of the bus at any time. The preset acceleration value of 4 km/h/s from standstill tails off gradually to 2 km/h/s at 90 km/h.

At speeds above 30 km/h the driver can temporarily override the system using kickdown, for example for overtaking.

The settings of the acceleration control can be adjusted by Scania service workshops to suit individual conditions.

The fuel saving potential is up to 6% in typically busy stop-and-go city traffic. Additional savings result from reduced wear and tear on the powertrain and brakes, as well as from the enhanced well-being and comfort of the occupants.

TPM promotes safety and economy

Tyre pressure monitoring (TPM) is being introduced as an option for all buses. The system alerts the driver if the pressure in any single tyre drops below the preset value, providing invaluable backup for visual checks should something untoward happen. At the same time, the system saves fuel by making it easier for drivers and operators to maintain correct tyre pressures, signalling even the slightest deviation via the central instrument.

Safety features on Scania buses and coaches also include electronically controlled disc brakes all-round, hill-hold for easy uphill starting, emergency braking assistance providing extra braking power in case of panic braking and electronic stability program to minimise the risk of skidding and rollovers.

Faster gearing – more relaxed cruising

A faster 2.73:1 rear axle is now available, enabling a coach to cruise around 1400 r/min at 100 km/h with a standard direct-drive gearbox. The ratios available are 3.42, 3.07, 2.92 and 2.73.

The ultimate in cruising comfort is obtained with the overdrive 12-speed gearbox, available on luxury coaches. Revs are then below 1200 r/min, enabling Scania’s high-torque engines to make the most out of every drop of fuel.

F-series – a long and proud tradition living on

For many years Scania has been able to provide a full-size front-engined bus chassis ex-factory, as opposed to truck chassis that are re-built for bus service post-delivery.

Front-engined buses are preferred for use on poor roads off-highway due to their robustness and easy servicing. The concept has found particular favour in South America and southern Africa, but there is also interest from other regions.

The Scania F-series traditionally has an exceptionally robust chassis frame with extra ground clearance.

The latest F-series features the same components, electrical system and features as the latest bus and truck series, including the new driver station and CAN-bus based electrics.

The first version out is a right-hand-drive heavy-duty 4×2 with 9-litre 230 or 270 hp engine and a horizontal 6-speed manual gearbox to keep down the floor level. This combination provides ample performance and excellent fuel economy for this type of operation.

Scania Fleet Management

Scania’s fleet management solutions are designed to help drivers and operators achieve the highest possible efficiency from their vehicle fleet, while also allowing smooth interaction with the office and other on-board equipment and systems.

Scania’s data logging and communication service has been developed to provide a powerful tool for detailed monitoring and follow-up of fleet operations. The transport operator gets a complete package that provides an overview of how the fleet of vehicles is used, which in turn contributes to lower fuel costs and more perceptive and motivated drivers. The system is fully compatible with a mixed fleet of vehicles.

The service includes an on-board data logging unit, GPS positioning and communication with the office. Data can be read and analysed on the office portal or via an on-board computer, if fitted.

On-board computers are available in two sizes: Scania Interactor 300 and 500 with 7-inch and 10-inch touch screens. The Scania Interactor 500 is an open Windows-based platform that permits free installation of third-party software, whereas the 300 is intended for pre-installed software.

For further information, please contact

• Per-Erik Nordström, Product Affairs, mobile tel. +46 70 5535577, email per-erik.nordstrom[at]scania.com
• Gunnar Boman, Corporate Relations, mobile tel. +46 70 5508606, email gunnar.boman[at]scania.com