Business Efficiencies: How to Save 4,500 Litres of Fuel Monthly

Fuel theft has become a widespread problem in many African countries due to the constant rise in fuel prices. Companies with fleets waste a significant amount of fuel each month, resulting in significant financial losses. Cutting-edge telematics and IoT technologies, on the other hand, offer a promising solution to this problem. In this article, we will look at how these technologies can be used effectively using a real-world example from Tracking Africa, a leading telematics service provider and solution developer based in South Africa. Their GPS fuel monitoring system, which they implemented in collaboration with a major construction company, not only reduced fuel costs but also addressed a number of other issues. In fact, the solution was named the winner of the IoT Project of the Year 2022 competition in the “Construction and Demolition” category.

The Issues: Fuel Security, Customer Service, and More

Mahlubi Transport and Plant Hire is a Tracking Africa client that specializes in road, water pipeline, and reservoir construction. Prior to implementing the GPS fuel monitoring system, the company was losing $15,700 per month in fuel across its fleet of 100 vehicles. Mahlubi Transport and Plant Hire had specific requirements for the system, including real-time access to fleet data for the managing director (MD), who frequently spent the majority of his time on construction sites. With the help of push notifications, the MD can now receive immediate alerts about any events or incidents and take appropriate action.

In addition to fuel security, the client desired a driver scoring system to evaluate performance, a tipper truck load/unload detection feature to prevent construction material theft, and the ability to share vehicle location with clients to improve customer service.

Monthly savings of 4,500 litres of fuel

Tracking Africa created a comprehensive GPS fuel monitoring system for Mahlubi Transport and Plant Hire that effectively addressed the aforementioned issues as well as others. The system entailed installing GPS hardware, such as live streaming cameras, radio frequency backup devices, and GPS trackers, on the client’s vehicles in order to collect telematics data.

Fuel level sensors were installed in tipper trucks and other construction machines to address fuel security concerns. These sensors allowed for precise measurement of fuel levels in tanks as well as detection of any suspicious changes that could indicate possible theft. Bluetooth TRAK fuel tank caps were installed on several tipper trucks to increase fuel security. The GPS fuel monitoring system used the Wialon platform, a robust GPS tracking and IoT solution, to process data collected from GPS trackers, cameras, fuel level sensors, and fuel caps. This platform generated reports and emailed notifications to the client, keeping them up to date on fleet activity. For example, the client would be notified if a fuel cap was left open, if the fuel level unexpectedly changed, if a vehicle entered a dangerous zone, and much more. Wialon’s Sensolator and dashboard provided real-time data on tipper trucks and other vehicles, bringing all information together in one easily accessible location. This all-encompassing approach ensured the safety of personnel, vehicles, and cargo.

The Wialon app for iOS and Android was created to provide convenient access to fleet data, allowing the MD to stay up to date no matter where they were. The MD received event notifications directly through the Telegram messaging app. Furthermore, by monitoring factors such as speed limits, braking habits, and sharp turns, Wialon aided in the evaluation of driver performance.

Wialon also enabled location sharing, which was a useful feature. Clients of Mahlubi Transport and Plant Hire can now track the exact location of trucks and machinery in real time. Furthermore, the company gained the ability to track individual vehicles, monitor their stops, and identify any instances of unauthorized cargo unloading.

Support specialists kept a close eye on the system for any unusual events and alerted tactical response teams immediately in cases of vehicle theft or hijacking. This quick response capability enabled the company’s assets to be recovered quickly.

Outstanding Outcomes

Tracking Africa’s implementation of a GPS fuel monitoring system produced outstanding results for Mahlubi Transport and Plant Hire. Every month, the company saves approximately 4,500 litres of fuel. Furthermore, the solution improved the overall security of drivers, vehicles, cargo, and construction materials, which contributed significantly to the company’s financial health.

This project exemplifies how expert deployment of telematics technologies can overcome challenges and drive business growth. Tracking Africa carefully analyzed the client’s requirements and selected the appropriate hardware to create a tailored solution that not only addressed the existing challenges but also delivered outstanding results.

Finally, as fuel prices continue to rise, the importance of reducing fuel theft and optimizing operational efficiencies becomes critical for businesses. Companies can protect their assets, streamline operations, and achieve significant cost savings by leveraging advanced telematics and IoT technologies. The achievements of Tracking Africa’s collaboration with Mahlubi Transport and Plant Hire demonstrate the life-changing potential of these solutions, enabling businesses to thrive in a highly competitive landscape.