How will future telematics affect efficiency in the construction industry?

The use of telematics data from heavy construction equipment and trucks is poised to significantly impact the construction industry in the coming years. By embracing and harnessing the power of telematics data, contractors can unlock new levels of efficiency and drive innovation. Here are some key areas where this data is set to revolutionize the industry in the years to come:

Telematics: Essentially means remote measurement and is used to transfer measurement data, for example, from a vehicle's control unit to a database. Telematics data can include location, engine on/off status, idling time, emissions, and more.

Current situation: A digital fleet divided

The demands for shared construction sites are increasing, while the current situation remains unclear for many. Today, you can connect construction machinery and retrieve telematics data via the supplier's API, or log into an interface with each machine supplier to see idle percentage, last position, etc. As a machine owner or rental company, you can also connect the entire fleet from different machine brands through providers like Fremby. Furthermore, you can share these machines with other actors either individually, in a geofence, or in a project for a period. The development is in its early stages, and the future offers many valuable opportunities.

Utilization Rate: Optimizing the Machine Fleet

Improving the utilization of the machine fleet with telematics data where contractors get good tools to track the use of their equipment, how often it is used, how long it is used, and how efficiently it is operated. This information can help the entire industry identify areas where they can improve utilization rates and make more informed decisions about when to buy new equipment, rent, or lease.

Increased safety: Monitoring of heavy machinery

Increased safety through telematics data is likely to gain increasing attention in the future as it becomes possible to monitor the performance of heavy machinery in real-time. With 5G, IoT, and telematics data, factors such as speed, vehicle location, and maintenance requirements will contribute to increased safety. By monitoring this data, companies can identify potential safety hazards and take steps to prevent accidents before they occur.

Reduced Costs: Focus on Profitability

Increased safety through telematics data is likely to gain more attention as it becomes possible to monitor the performance of heavy machinery in real-time. With 5G, IoT, and telematics data, factors such as speed, vehicle location, and maintenance requirements will enhance safety. By monitoring this data, companies can identify potential safety hazards and take proactive measures to prevent accidents before they occur.

Improved Project Management: Collaboration and Resource Allocation

Improved project management and collaboration in construction projects will be heavily reliant on effective control and utilization of telematics data across the entire value chain. This data can provide invaluable insights into the progress of construction projects, including the performance of individual pieces of equipment, worker productivity, project deviations, successes, and overall profitability. This information empowers project managers to make more informed decisions regarding resource allocation, scheduling, and other crucial aspects of project management. Furthermore, this data can be seamlessly integrated into Business Intelligence (BI) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, providing management with enhanced insights and control for more strategic, long-term decision-making.

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Automated Environmental Reporting: Contributing to Climate Action and Circular Economy

Good access to telematics data will also have a positive impact on the environment by facilitating emissions reporting, which in turn provides a better tool for managing public incentives. Heavy machinery emits a significant amount of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, and the construction industry is increasingly being required to change its energy mix. Both to report on the requirements, but also to plan the next construction site, contractors are completely dependent on telematics data. Contractors need to track and report their emissions. By automating the reporting of emissions data to municipalities, authorities, and organizations such as NILU, the industry can focus on operations while contributing to efforts to mitigate climate change. This will also form the same data basis needed to work with circular economy principles.

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In summary

Overall, the use of telematics data from heavy machinery is likely to have a transformative effect on the construction industry, enabling companies to improve efficiency, increase safety, and reduce costs. Many contractors also understand that they should start collecting their data now, because the amount of data over time is of great importance when they are likely to later adopt machine learning and AI.

Get in touch

Is your company taking ownership and control of telematics data from heavy construction equipment? Are you ready to share your machine data when the customer, municipality, or contractor asks for sharing in a project?

Contact us at hello@fremby.no for a demo or help with connecting and sharing construction machinery.