SIMPLE DATA LOGGING SYSTEM

A J Brammer

Introduction
This paper will describe the Furon L i m i t e d data logging system, giving deltails of i t s capabilities and applications. The system uses are split into two main area, vehicle performance monitoringand drivw performance " m g .T h e system i s intended to be used by companies that ope- a fleet of cars, vans or trucks such as delivery cmnpanies, utilities, or county councils. The applications are often across a fleet of varying types of vehicles. T h e system is designed to be easy t o use and requiresno input from the driver d the vehicle.

Basic function of the data logger

The Furon L t d data logsias unit records a set of data for each joumeymaide in the vehicle. Each journey starts when the ignition i s switched on and ends wbentbe ig~nitimis switched off. The aim ofthis data loggins u n i t is to connedto existiag signals that are ireadily available in a modem vehicle. The system can be cumectd to 12v o r 24v vehicles. ' l binputs that are presentlymonitored by the unit are derived Eramthe requsts of Various uustomers. Tbe unit can store around 1100journeysMore it must be downloaded into a computer.
Dah stored on each journey
For each journey the following data is stored: Date and start t i m e - date and t i m e iguition was switched c m Travel time - t h e fromthe start ofthe journey u n t i l ignition switched off Distance total distance travelled in t h ejourney (in mph or kph) Peak road speed-maximum speedreached duringthe journey Idle time -timet h e ignition was on but road speed was zero PeakengineSpeed-"umSpeedtheen,ginereached(RPM) Door open time -time the door was open while the vehicle was moving Engiw over temperahve time t i m e t h e over temperaturewarning lanllp was on while the vehicle was moving Engine low o i l pressure time -time the low o i l pressure warning lamp was on while the vehicle was moving Seat belt off t i m e -timethe s e a t belt was not worn while the vehicle vwas moving Battery 1 minor max -minimum or " u m v o l t a g e recorded o n h r t t e r y 1 during& journey

A 3 Brammer is w i t h Furon L i m i t e d , Rugby

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Battery 2 min or max - m i n i " or maximum voltage recorded on battery 2 during the n the journey (Note: two battery inputs were requested for some dual battery applications i
0

Driver Id. - The tag code read f r o mthe drivers keys or badge

States)

The above d a t a amounts to 21 bytes stored in the data logger for each journey.

Accident data storage

T h e data logger stores the speed of the vehicle for 15 seconds (in 1 second increments) prior to an accident detected by an impact setlsor and the time t h e accident occurred. The unit can store
up to five sets of

data.

Driver perfomance monitoring

The fitting of a data logging system to monitor driver performance can be approached in two ways. In the first way, the drivers are given full information about whatwill be recorded in the data logger to a c t as a deterrent to bad driving. In the secoI1c1 way, the company fits the data logger without telhg their drivers in order to find out how their vehicles are bang driven. The vehicle usage time log has beea used for the following purposes: Generation of driver t i m e sheets. U s e d to confirm driver overtime claims. Monitoruseofthevehicleat~andaftercompanyhwrs.
The amount of idle time (engine on but vehicle not moving) the vehicle spends has been used to monitor delivery drivers not turning offtheir engines while making a delivery; reducingide time can save a signiscant amount of fuel. If multiple drivers use the same vehicle, the driver's ideatifidon tag can be used to show who was driving when the vehicle was caught speedq. The door opcm input is usedto check doors on same delivery vehicles have been u t is usedto indicatethat the driver is closed while the vehicle was wearing the seat belt whik the vehicle is moving.

Vehicle performance monitoring

The data collected by the data logger can be used to address several vehicle performance issues. The most basic use of the data is to create a vehicle usage log of hours or distances to determine how much the vehicle is utilised, and determine when, or how often, maintenance is needd. Data anthe distances and times ofjourneysbas beenusedto help to optimise the routes taken on regular delivery runs. Inputs such as t h e peak pressure and engine over taqmah~ can be used to show abuse of the vehicle or conversely, to indicatet h a t the vehicle has not been abused in the case of vehicle warranty problems. T h e monitoring of battery voltage can help to detect when problems occur in t h e vehicle electrical system. Problems such as a f k h g battery or alternator can be detected and rectified before a failure occurs when t h e vehicle is in use, reducing unnecessaryvehicle clown t i m e .
Data collection and analysis

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The data is downloaded from the vehicle either into a data collection unit (which will hold the data for several vehicles) or directly i n t o a portable computer. The data can be displayed and filtered directly usingthe software for the data logger or transferred into a standard database
package.

Problems with tampering

The monitoring of driver performance parameters such as hours worked, etc. is not always appreciated by drivers and a#empts may be made t o disable the data logging unit. In order to overcome this problem, the data logger records two extra p a " about the vehicle, Firstly, at o t a l vehicle mileage is counted within the unit and should always be i n blne with the vehicle odometer; this allows detection of any tampering with the ipitian or speed signals to the unit. Secondly, if the unit is disconnectedfrom the vehicle a count i s kept of the of time that it is disconnected and a flag shows onthe journey that the cbx"% 'onocmrred.

Conclusion
Although this product is described as a "simple" data logging system, it c a n b e seeathat a large amount of useful operationaldata can be obtained for vehicle opeatrxs from a felatively small system and easily fibered to produce various reports.

0 1997 The Institution of Electrical Engineers.

Printed and published by the IEE, Savoy Place, London W M R OBL,UK.