The Use of AVL Systems in Public Works

AVL or Automatic Vehicle Locater systems have been around since the late 1990’s in public works. Fleet managers wanted a way to track their vehicles in a real time application and to improve service to their residents. With today’s technology, prices have come down considerably. Systems can be bare bone and provide just real time location on a map, to just about anything you can imagine. In a public works application some common uses are snow removal, refuse collection, street sweeping, etc…. Sensors can be mounted to let you know if the plow is down, is the sander on, engine diagnostics, what type and how much chemical is being applied and numerous other data streams. An AVL system would also feedback information on where the truck was in its route, direction the truck is traveling and percentage of route completed.  Staff could easily spot any roads that could have been missed or give residents an estimate on when they could expect to be plowed out. Information would be monitored by PW staff and could provide information to residents on line.  AVL systems also have the capability of being integrated into other software programs that may be already in use.  With the use of an on board camera the driver can take a quick snap shot of a maintenance problem, have the GPS mark it, and develop a work order from the information provided.

There are 3 vendors on the CPV (Cooperative Purchase Venture) list for the State of Minnesota that sell AVL systems. Force America, Ameritrak, and Location Technology. Staff contacted Location Technology and arranged a short webinar presentation to view their product line. Location Technology also was given an inventory of our snow removal fleet and has provided a cost estimate for startup and system maintenance. That information attached to the case.  The abbreviated version of the costs are as follows:
Upfront costs for hardware and operator training for 15 snow removal vehicles-$9112.00
Recurring monthly costs for system-$259.60/month   $3115.00/yr
The base units can also be moved from vehicle to vehicle, so when snow season is over, the AVL equipment could be moved to sweeping and mowing equipment if desired. 

General Fund Cost Center 6580-0311

AVL would be a useful tool in our public works operation. The data gathered would help streamline PW operations and provide useful information for staff and residents as well.

Direct staff to continue to gather information and pricing for consideration in the 2013 budget.