Schneider National will equip its 43,000-trailer fleet with satellite tracking
GREEN BAY, Wisc. (April 29) — Schneider National Inc., which pioneered the use of satellite-based tracking and communications among trucks, drivers, company headquarters, and customers, plans to equip its 43,000-trailer fleet with tracking devices as well.
Schneider National will use a system developed by Vantage Tracking Systems, a division of ORBCOMM Global. ORBCOMM operates a network of low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites.
Vantage and Schneider National have been working for two years to develop a low-cost, efficient system that can monitor a trailer’s location and other data from anywhere in North America. Schneider will begin installing the system in June.
The Vantage system relays information directly to Schneider’s fleet management and logistics systems via ORBCOMM’s LEO satellites. A transponder and sensors on each trailer can detect when a trailer is connected or disconnected from a tractor, if it is loaded or empty, as well as its GPS position and a number of other status reports.
In a related deal, Qualcomm, which provides satellite-based communications for Schneider National’s tractors, announced an alliance with ORBCOMM to integrate satellite communications for both the tractor and the trailer. Qualcomm markets OmniTRACS, the predominant satellite-based equipment tracking system in North America.
“We are constantly looking for ways to increase the value of service we are able to offer our customers,” said Don Schneider, president of Schneider National. “To that end, we made an investment in the OmniTRACS system in 1988 and we see a similar opportunity with Vantage in trailer tracking. Untethered trailer tracking represents the next major breakthrough in transportation technology. We expect our trailer productivity to significantly improve, meaning better service to our customers.”
In 1988, Schneider became the first major transportation provider to install OmniTRACS satellite communications and tracking systems throughout its fleet, providing real-time shipment status to customers.
ORBCOMM is a partnership owned by Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., and Teleglobe Inc. of Montreal.
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