Waste management solution

Bin pick-up and tracking software

Peacock Bros and Software Integrators have joined forces to produce a real-time waste management solution for truck fleets working on government waste management contracts. The solution, first developed for waste collection contractor J R Richards & Sons, includes real-time monitoring of every truck’s position, instant recording of waste bin pick-ups and a full history of the trucks’ activities during the day, including trips to the tip for unloading, breaks and time spent travelling versus time spent collecting.

Councils today expect full operational visibility of when bins have been picked up and accountability for when a customer calls to say they haven’t received their service. By installing a GPRS device and bin pick-up sensor onto a waste collection truck and then connecting it to Software Integrators’ EcoSoft GPS Tracking solution, the vehicles are monitored every second and activities such as bin pick-ups are recorded, including the time the event occurred, how many bins were picked up and which truck completed the task.

In remote areas where mobile wireless networks are intermittent, an extra functionality of ‘record and push’ was developed where the GPRS unit will continue to record all the activity information and update the server as soon as a remote connection is re-established. This feature allows any council or council contractor to employ this system, no matter where they are located geographically.

The software resides on a web-hosted server, reducing the costs involved in connecting new users, software upgrades and ongoing maintenance. Any PC can simply access the system via an internet connection. Because the system resides on a web server there are no internal IT cost outlays, users simply rent the solution via a per-vehicle payment structure.

Additional features include: graphical visibility of each vehicle in real time; instant recording of extra bin pick-ups at locations; position, speed and direction of any vehicle at any point in time; automatic recording of vehicle stoppages and breaks; ability to identify unauthorised vehicle usage; flexible data extraction and reporting tools; operates for fleets of one to thousands of vehicles; and secure user login access and password control.

There is a further option available that assists drivers by allowing them to follow a computer-generated route either via a list or via a GPS map on a screen.

J R Richards & Sons initially started this solution on five trucks. It now has 25 and is looking to deploy the solution for its entire fleet of 260 in stages. “With over six months passing since installation of the first unit, we are exceptionally pleased with the performance and results. We now have over 25 units in place and, as the benefits of utilising such a system are realised, we are continuing to expand our deployment,” says Robert Marlow, Associate Director for the company. “We also make special mention of the level of support from the suppliers and Peacock Bros. The staff have been exceptional in the behind the scenes programming and development required to make this project a success.”

The GPRS and sensor hardware can be installed onto any waste collection vehicle regardless of model or size and the system can be deployed incrementally.