Addison Lee, London's largest courier service, is planning
to use advanced radio communication technology to track and locate
its fleet of motorcycle couriers.The
company hopes the tracking service, based on a network from
communications firm QuikTrak, will allow it to pinpoint the exact
location of its vehicles and staff, even in buildings and car parks
- something that GPS (global positioning system) based systems
cannot do.
The
QuikTrak network, which uses advanced spread-spectrum radio
technology, is not reliant on any third party. Most commercially
available location based services utilise the GSM network, relying
on data from the mobile phone operators, which is only accurate to
the nearest cell on their system.
The
operators have, to date, charged high prices for accessing location
data, but Addison Lee will be able to track each vehicle and
communicate via two-way text messages with call costs that are
“substantially less” than GSM services, QuikTrak said.
As well as
prohibitive costs, the harsh environment experienced by a
motorcycle has restricted the use of tracking services for
couriers, said John Griffin, chairman of Addison Lee.
“Any
trials (of tracking services) up until now have led to expensive
equipment being ruined by the elements or shaken violently on the
chassis of a bike," he said. "The QuikTrak transponder overcomes
all these problems as it is carried by the rider.”
“As a
result there is no requirement for installation of power or
antennas and when the rider leaves the bike we are still aware of
their location as they enter customer premises to collect and
deliver parcels. In addition the rider is always contactable should
further instructions need to be given on other collections.”
All the
QuikTrak tracking data will be stored, giving Addison Lee the
ability to retrace the journey of any of its vehicles for proof of
delivery in the event of any customer disputes.