BANFF – GPS systems that track fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, idling and speed are being installed in all of Banff’s municipal vehicles.
The telematics equipment, which has been installed in 55 of 75 vehicles so far, can also tell where the fleet of vehicles and equipment is located.
Officials said the telematics, through increased monitoring and data collection, will allow the Town to reach environmental goals in its green fleet policy of lowering fuel consumption and reducing greenhouse gases (GHG).
They said the system helps produce immediate results by reminding drivers to modify behaviours such as avoiding idling and to accelerate gradually, adding vehicle users will be given individual FOBS once all 75 units are installed and activated.
“Telematics allows operators to better track the use of fleet vehicles and equipment by monitoring fuel consumption, GHG emissions, idling, speed,” said Chris McGregor, the Town’s fleet services manager.
As part of its environmental goals, The Town hopes to see a 2.5 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and GHG emissions in 2019, 6.7 per cent reduction in 2020 and 7.6 per cent reduction in 2020.
Mayor Karen Sorensen wanted to make sure municipal employees understood the reason and motivation behind the move.
“Is it your belief that employees understand the value of doing this, that it’s not necessarily Big Brother and has more to do with our environmental goals?” she asked of McGregor.
McGregor said there was quite a bit of fear and lots of speculation in the beginning.
“In conducting reviews and presentations, people are very open about it and understand we are trying to achieve these goals with our green fleet policy,” he said.
Councillor Peter Poole, who spoke in favour of experimenting with this, took issue with how the budget for the three-year contract awarded to Edmonton-based Titan GPS was reported, at $30 per unit per month.
“Often times it looks like administration reports to us a small number as if it’s a smaller pill to swallow,” he said.
“I’d encourage you to be fully transparent. This is a $27,000 per year project and over three years that’s an $80,000 effort – and we’ll see if we continue on after that.”
The data will also help the Town of Banff analyze the operational uses of the fleet to ensure the most cost-effective and environmentally responsible vehicle is selected when it’s due to be replaced.
