The Geotab telematics platform offers councils an invaluable suite of tools tailored to improve fleet management, safety, and sustainability. Tim Lapham, from Insight Telematics and a long-time partner with Geotab, was speaking at the IPWEA Fleet training day in Adelaide and highlighted how the system has transformed council operations across Australia.
Streamlining Fleet Management
Geotab’s capability to track and measure specific fleet activities has enabled councils to optimise operations. For example, Lapham shared a practical application: “A council wanted to measure how much time their mowers were actually mowing versus being transported. We created rules that distinguish between movement with ignition on and movement without ignition, showing exactly when equipment is in use versus idle.”
Beyond activity tracking, the platform supports predictive maintenance. By monitoring data like oil pressure and battery voltage in real-time, councils can proactively service vehicles before breakdowns. “You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” Lapham stated. “Geotab’s system provides insights that reduce downtime and extend equipment life.”
Driving Cost Savings
Geotab delivers significant financial benefits, particularly in fuel tax credit management. Lapham explained: “Dubbo Council reclaimed $120,000 over four years through retrospective claims facilitated by Geotab and KPMG.” The system’s geospatial data automates this process by differentiating public road use from private or idling scenarios, ensuring accurate tax reporting and compliance.
Enhancing Safety Standards
Safety remains a critical priority for councils, and Geotab’s Safety Centre addresses this need. Councils can benchmark their fleets against global standards, pinpoint risky drivers, and implement targeted training. “The system provides a risk rating for each driver,” Lapham noted, “allowing councils to tailor interventions, like driver training, to improve behaviour and reduce accidents.”
The platform is also evolving to include AI-driven tools like collision reconstruction and driver fatigue monitoring. “Soon, we’ll integrate camera data to measure lane departures or distracted driving, further enriching safety analytics,” Lapham said.
Supporting Sustainability Goals
For councils aiming to reduce emissions, Geotab provides tools beyond just transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs). “The system identifies drivers with high fuel usage and helps reduce emissions by promoting smoother driving behaviours,” Lapham explained.
Geotab’s EV Suitability Assessment (EVSA) further simplifies the transition to EVs by analysing existing fleet data and recommending suitable replacements. “The EVSA tool calculates total cost of ownership and emission savings, helping councils make informed decisions about fleet electrification,” Lapham shared.
A Future-Ready Solution
With its robust data analytics and AI capabilities, Geotab equips councils with tools to tackle current challenges while preparing for future demands. Lapham summed up its impact: “Geotab makes fleet managers look like champions by providing clear, actionable insights that drive efficiency, safety, and sustainability.”
For local governments, embracing Geotab means not only improving fleet performance but also aligning operations with broader community goals.
