Read from our blogs
Fleet management systems have been around a while and have become so complex that it has evolved into Field Resource Management. This article explores 5 reasons why all fleets need at least a basic Field Resource Management system.
GPS systems are very reliable, but they are vulnerable to jamming. North Korea was recently busted taking advantage of this fact. According to several news outlets and the top US military commander in Korea, Walter Sharp, North Korea has been jamming global-positioning-satellite (GPS system) signals used in South Korea for military and commercial purposes. Sneaky! Sharp was the first U.S. official to publicly confirm allegations of jamming made by South Koreans.
The GPS system jamming signals are interfering with both military and civilian GPS system signals. North Korea has been trying to jam mobile phones in the Seoul area, as well as GPS tracking devices used by South Korean military forces. Because of the jamming, some mobile phones both used by civilians and soldiers have not been working properly. Additionally, certain military equipment has been affected and has not been working properly, such as distance measurement devices used by artillery units.
Anyone who has seen an elderly loved one deteriorate from Alzheimer’s, or seen a child suffer from Autism, can tell you just how devastating and heartbreaking both of these situations can be. Wandering seems to be a frequent occurrence for many Alzheimer’s or Autism patients. Many expert estimates have reported that if not found within 24-48 hours, many elderly patients end up dying or severely hurt. It’s really important to know this if you live somewhere with extremely hot or cold temperatures outside because people are at more risk when they wander off.
The companies that brought you vehicle tracking devices for stolen cars have designed a system made for tracking people. Widely known for its vehicle tracking system, LoJack is now trying to educate people about how its technology can be used to track the elderly and autistic children. The GPS tracking system is called SafetyNet. There’s no question that the SafetyNet tracking devices can save lives and give caretakers peace of mind.
A GPS tracking device can help caretakers to monitor vulnerable family member whereabouts without invading their privacy or taking away their independence. A GPS tracking system can help family members keep tabs on an individual from hundreds or thousands of miles away.
he national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.79, up about 33% from $2.86 last year, according to the EIA. Don’t expect any relief soon, as more price increases are on the horizon as we head into the peak summer driving season. The EIA has predicted gas prices will continue increasing throughout the year and will top $5 a gallon in a few US states such as California.
Yesterday average gas prices across the US ranged from:
* Boston $3.490
* Chicago $3.756
* Cleveland $ 3.552
* Denver $ 3.393
* Houston $ 3.467
* Los Angeles $ 4.060
* Miami $ 3.701
* NYC $ 3.605
* San Francisco $ 4.044
* Seattle $ 3.775
Douglas Weichman has officially taken over as the 32nd President of the National Association of Fleet Management (NAFA). Former NAFA President Christopher D. Amos handed over the reins this weekend at NAFA’s 2011 Institute & Expo in North Carolina. Congratulations Mr. Weichman.
Douglas Weichman, the 2009 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year, has been the director of the Fleet Management Division for Palm Beach County since 1990. Prior to his position with Palm Beach, he was the fleet manager for Miami-Dade County for nine years. Additionally Weichman has many years of experience working in private sector fleet management.
Gas prices are incredibly high right now and there is no relief in sight. Gas prices are expected to rise 40% for the peak summer driving season compared with 2010, according to an estimate released yesterday from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Most experts agree with the federal prediction, and are saying that consumers and businesses should prepare as gas prices are expected to continue increasing over the next several months.
These predictions are saying that the average price for gas in the US will top $4 per gallon. According to the EIA, the current average price in the US for a gallon of unleaded regular gas is $3.79. One year ago, gas prices were at $2.86, an increase of 93 cents. In California, Hawaii and Alaska, gas prices are expected to reach over $5 per gallon. The average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gas in California is currently $4.02.
All people who are using the Pandora music app on their iPhone or Android smartphones should be aware. The Pandora app is revealing your personal information to third party advertisers without your knowledge or consent, according to the application security company Veracode. The information can be used to determine your gender, birth date, zip code, and your location using GPS system coordinates.
Pandora recently announced the company has been served a subpoena as part of a federal grand-jury investigation regarding this matter. Pandora must now produce documents about its data collection practices. Although results from the Federal investigation results of the investigation aren’t in yet, Internet security firm Veracode decided to conduct its own research.
Ryder is working hard to expand its Green Fleet. The company recently announced it has ordered over 200 trucks powered by compressed natural gas. Ryder’s all-new fleet of hybrid trucks will help the company and its customers to maximize fuel efficiency while minimizing costs, and reduce vehicle emissions – a win-win for the environment and the bottom line.
When traveling at low speeds, the hybrid electric motor supplies power to the truck, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and emissions. According to Ryder, natural gas is a domestic resource and it is 25 percent cleaner than the cleanest diesel. When your company commits to going Green, you demonstrate corporate and environmental responsibility and business savvy.
The average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gas in the US on April 8, 2011 is $3.73, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report. Gas prices have risen 12 cents in the past week. One week ago the average gas price was $3.61. Gas prices have risen 21 cents in the past month. One month ago gas prices were at $3.52.
Typically Hawaii and Alaska have the highest gas prices in the US, but today California gas prices are higher than in Alaska. In California, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is $4.12, the highest price in the continental US. Only Hawaii has higher prices at $4.38 a gallon. In Alaska, gas is averaging $4.11.
The world’s largest automaker, Toyota (TM), and the world’s largest software company, Microsoft (MSFT), recently announced they are teaming up to bring a cloud computing telematics system to vehicles in the US. The goal of the new partnership is to complete a global cloud platform by 2015, combining groundbreaking technology with an affordable telematics system for Toyota drivers.
The new system isn’t an entertainment package, but rather a means of sending content and information to and from vehicles, computers and mobile devices. The new telematics-based system will give vehicles access to streaming music, telecommunications information, GPS navigation and energy management. The idea is to connect vehicles to servers around the world, eliminating the need for a lot of hardware and software in the vehicle.
