Geotab, a global leader in telematics, is making a significant push into Australia’s heavy vehicle market in 2024, bringing its extensive global expertise and innovative solutions tailored to local regulatory and operational challenges. Andrew Hintz, Geotab’s AVP Heavy Transport APAC Region, shared insights with Fleet HV News on this exciting development, highlighting the unique aspects of the Australian market and how Geotab is positioning itself to support heavy vehicle operators.
A Strong Global Presence with Local Focus
Globally, Geotab manages over four million commercial vehicles, processing more than 75 billion data points daily. Approximately 20% of these vehicles are heavy-duty, spanning aftermarket fleets and OEM trucks. This global footprint has equipped Geotab with the experience to tackle diverse regulatory environments and operational demands.
In Australia, Geotab is set to address a heavy transport market comprising over a million vehicles exceeding 4.5 tonnes, including mobile cranes, agricultural machinery, and road trains. Australian conditions pose unique challenges with larger, heavier trucks navigating vast distances under harsh environmental conditions, often beyond the reach of standard cellular networks. Geotab addresses these challenges with its GO9 vehicle tracking device and satellite connectivity solutions, ensuring continuous coverage and enhanced driver safety.
Andrew noted, “Australia is unique with its larger, longer, and heavier trucks, especially with 120-tonne road trains. The harsh environment and extended distances add significant stress not only to the vehicles but also to the drivers.”
Navigating Regulatory Complexities
Australia’s regulatory landscape for heavy vehicles is notably complex. Geotab has been diligently working through the Transport Certification Australia (TCA) approval process to become a certified Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) service provider. This certification allows Geotab to support operators in accessing state-specific road schemes, ensuring compliance with mass, fuel tax credits, and fatigue management regulations.
Andrew explained, “It’s been a lengthy process with TCA. We first got the GO9 device approved at the end of 2023, and now we’re working on becoming a certified application service provider. This means transport operators can use our system to register their trucks for specific state road schemes and ensure they meet compliance requirements.”
Andrew highlighted the stark contrast between Australia’s regulatory demands and those in regions like New Zealand or North America. “In New Zealand, most trucks operate at 44 tonnes or up to 50 tonnes with special permits. Australia, however, has a myriad of truck and trailer combinations with different weight allowances, making compliance more complex,” he said.
Building a Marketplace for Compliance and Efficiency
A standout feature of Geotab’s offering is its robust marketplace, which allows heavy vehicle operators to integrate third-party solutions directly into the MyGeotab platform. This “single pane of glass” approach reduces the need for operators to juggle multiple systems, streamlining fleet management.
Andrew elaborated, “Our marketplace is about providing the best tools in one place. We partner with leading providers in each area—like Logmaster for electronic work diaries and Gearbox for maintenance management—so fleet operators don’t have to switch between multiple platforms.”
Geotab has partnered with key industry players to enhance its marketplace:
- Logmaster for fatigue management, being the first NHVR-certified electronic work diary provider.
- KPMG for fuel tax credit optimisation, helping fleets maximise their rebates.
- Gearbox for maintenance management, ensuring fleets maintain comprehensive service records essential for NHVR audits.
- Pro-Drive Compliance for regulatory consultancy, aiding operators in navigating complex compliance landscapes and reinforcing chain of responsibility requirements.
“Our goal is to simplify compliance and improve efficiency. The single pane of glass concept means operators can access everything they need in one platform,” Andrew added.
Harnessing AI for Predictive Insights
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming integral to telematics, and Geotab is at the forefront of this evolution. Andrew emphasised how AI enhances fleet efficiency by offering predictive maintenance insights, route optimisation, and safety improvements.
“AI in telematics isn’t just a buzzword—it’s about making fleets more efficient and safer. For example, we use AI rule sets to monitor CAN bus data and predict maintenance issues such as battery health and alternator voltage before they become critical, reducing downtime,” Andrew explained.
AI also plays a vital role in driver safety through video telematics. “Video Telematics with ADAS functionality use AI models to detect following distances, lane departures, driver fatigue, and distractions, like when a driver looks away for more than three seconds or picks up a mobile phone,” Andrew noted.
A Promising Future for Heavy Vehicles in Australia
Geotab’s entry into the Australian heavy vehicle market marks an exciting development for the industry. With a focus on compliance, efficiency, and safety, Geotab is well-positioned to support operators navigating Australia’s complex regulatory landscape.
“We’ve spent time listening to operators through our voice of the customer sessions. We understand their pain points and are committed to helping them overcome challenges,” Andrew concluded.
Through strategic partnerships, AI-driven insights, and a unified platform, Geotab offers heavy vehicle operators the tools they need to stay competitive, compliant, and efficient in an increasingly demanding market.
As Geotab continues to expand its presence, Australian fleets can look forward to more innovative solutions designed to meet the unique challenges of heavy transport, ultimately driving safer and more efficient operations across the country.
