FY06 NATSRL-Integration of Automated Vehicle System Data Acquisition into Fleet Management

Previous work at the University of Minnesota Duluth on fleet asset management determined a key shortcoming in life cycle costing analysis was the poor quality of available data. Automation of data acquisition was recommended to minimize errors inherent in manual data collection and data entry. This project investigates the feasibility of collecting data from engine computers on board Class 330 and 350 snowplows and wirelessly transmitting these data directly into the Maximus M5 maintenance information system. Wireless modems were evaluated to select models that could function in the physical setting and temperature conditions of northern Minnesota. One modem met all the criteria and was field-tested in several different snowplow units. The modem functioned, but the interface with the on-board computer prevented data transfer due to embedded proprietary software by the engine manufacturers. Third party providers do offer real-time remote data collection from engine computers. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) expressed concern over data protection and cost with this approach, so alternative management strategies were developed. Under these conditions, the recommendation is to increase the frequency of cable-acquired data from the engines and implement best practices for data acquisition.

• Record URL:
  • https://hdl.handle.net/11299/5925
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Minnesota, Duluth

  Northland Advanced Transportation Systems Research Laboratory
  1303 Ordean Court
  Duluth, MN  United States  55812-3025

  Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute

  200 Transportation and Safety Building
  511 Washington Avenue, S.W.
  Minneapolis, MN  United States  55455

  Minnesota Department of Transportation

  Research Services Section, 395 John Ireland Boulevard, Mail Stop 330
  St Paul, MN  United States  55155

  Research and Special Programs Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Wyrick, David A
  • Eseonu, Chinweike I
• Publication Date: 2008-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 46p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Best practices; Data collection; Driver information systems; Fleet management; Modems; Real time information; Traveler information and communication systems; Vehicle maintenance; Vehicle operations; Wireless communication systems
• Geographic Terms: Minnesota
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Planning and Forecasting; I62: Winter Maintenance; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01099503
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CTS 08-05, CTS Project Number 2006027
• Files: UTC, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: May 21 2008 7:08AM