clients

Over the last four years Loadman Australia has been supplying Boral Transport with on-board scale systems for various applications in their fleet.

With a fleet replacement program pending, Boral and Loadman Australia entered discussions about the development of a single screen solution to install in the driver’s cabin. The aim was to provide a single display for multiple applications. The availability of space to fit the number of screens and terminal ends, as well as the visual distractions created by multiple displays were the driving factors in designing the solution.

The original planned device requirements included a display for on-board scales, reverse camera screen, terminal for GPS tracking, display for GPS navigation, and LED alarm display.

Initially we investigated the type of display and computer technology available to meet the proposed requirements.

From our investigations it became apparent that this was the first time suppliers had received a request for so many requirements within a single device. Some devices were available which were either of a physically unsuitable size or would not operate in the environment of high temperature vibration and dust. Further, the device and total system had to represent value for money.

Many hours of research was undertaken to find a suitable device for this application.

The Transportal single screen solution was the end result of this research for the correct hardware selection, and the development and integration of software solutions was carried out in conjunction with HowTEK the associated company developing and supplying the software and PLC technology.

Transportal provides a single reference point for alarms, safety cameras and access to all aspects of an operator’s vehicle fleet management systems.

This technology, which gives priority to alarms and safety cameras increases all-round safety by reducing distractions to the vehicle operator. All functions are available on the one display.

Based on Windows XP computer technology, Transportal enables multiple vehicle applications to be displayed on a single screen. Applications currently available include on-board scales, side and reverse cameras, satellite tracking, vehicle alarm inputs, satellite navigation and document storage.

Proposed applications include tyre pressure monitoring and engine monitoring via J1939 Can-Bus input, if required email capability is an option.

After some initial trialling of the system and appropriate refinements to software, customer expectations have been met and the installation process is underway with over 50 systems already in service.

This collaboration between Boral and Loadman Australia was recently featured in an article in Diesel magazine; you can read the article here.

The development of the Transportal single screen solution demonstrates Loadman Australia’s commitment to strengthening our reputation as a specialist provider of leading edge technology on-board scales and fleet management systems.