The Eiffage Kier Ferrovial BAM (EKFB) joint venture is to harness the power of digital tools to monitor, manage and analyse the status and location of subcontractor vehicles and inventory on its HS2 contract in real-time.
EKFB has appointed Trimble and Totalmobile, a field service management software specialist, who together have developed a vehicle management booking system and integrated inventory management system for the task.
The cloud-based software will provide EKFB with immediate oversight of the progress of thousands of trucks each day via a single dashboard, including detailed information on loads, collections and completed deliveries.
The software’s reporting and evaluation capabilities will allow EKFB to provide near real-time updates to HS2 Ltd, helping prevent potential delays and support contractor compliance.
The new system combines Totalmobile’s Mobilise mobile workforce management application with the Trimble MAPS platform of commercial mapping, routing, navigation and location APIs.
Using Trimble MAPS’ map visuals, route planning and execution cloud software, EKFB fleet managers will be able to plan routes that automatically take account of HS2 Ltd’s strict capacity and routing compliance requirements.
Satnav link-up
EKFB’s subcontractors’ drivers will also be provided with Totalmobile’s Mobilise app integrated with Trimble’s CoPilot truck-specific satnav application. This allows EKFB to communicate directly with each delivery vehicle, based on live data feeds and potential route deviation alerts from the system.
Peter Bimson, operations director at EKFB, said: "Historically, the management and monitoring of routes has been the responsibility of carriers or shippers; however, Totalmobile and Trimble’s innovative solution hands that control to us. It will help overcome the significant complexity associated with maintaining oversight of the hundreds of thousands of journeys when working at scale across such a large and diverse area."
Jim Darragh, CEO at Totalmobile, said: "Our collaboration with Trimble has combined our best-of-breed software to deliver a revolutionary system that will provide the levels of performance and compliance monitoring that is essential for major infrastructure projects. This system is the first of its kind in the market and a real game-changer."
Chris Quin, commercial director, Trimble MAPS Division added: "The solution will help minimize disruption to communities within the HS2 project area while ensuring EKFB meets its contractual obligations and responsibilities. This is an exciting collaboration for Trimble and Totalmobile to support EKFB by delivering technology that is focused on improving efficiency, compliance, and most importantly, driver safety."
