TC Ontario Region TSES Phase 11

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TC Ontario RegionTSES Phase 11

• Study Results,
• Recommendations for Implementation
• May 20, 2003

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Phase 11 Purpose Objectives

• Pilot Study (Phase 1) Proof of Concept
• Demonstrated truck tractor logs as a fruitful and
  increasingly abundant source of empirical data on
  border wait-times, other related delays
  capacity constraints in the highway system
• Phase 11 Objectives Move beyond proof of
  concept to
• Clarify effective ways means to initiate
  maintain the electronic interchange of
  proprietary data on wait-times at major Ontario
  border crossings.
• Identify/estimate the total costs of implementing
  a scalable program of electronic data gathering 7
  in-house data management.
• Elicit a broad base of participation support
  for such a program from the carrier community.

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...Where have we been !

• We have looked at both (Satellite GPS)
  technology options from top-bottom. We know
• the strengths limitations of each
• the technical options, and practical applications
  that exist, and
• the cost of building a data set in successive
  increments
• Interest remains strong at both the association
  and individual carrier level.
• progress made, carrier by carrier, abetted by the
  fact we can demonstrate alternative ways, means
  and costs of generating the required data elements

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...What do we know !

• What to remember, as we move forward (i.e rules
  of thumb, or lessons learned)
• Two (2) technology options means, two (2)
  distinct data sources. Both can be used, to
  increase sample size, but each differs in certain
  fundamental respects
• proposed solutions are based on ready-use
  applications, that require little or no custom
  programming, or concerted RD efforts
• all start-up costs are clearly visible, and are
  comparable to those incurred by carriers
  subscribing to any particular service
• ongoing operating costs are linear i.e. unit
  charge/data reading escalates directly relation
  to volume of traffic coverage..

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..What do we know (contd)

• the project is fully scalable, we can start small
  expand in increments as additional carriers
  service vendors agree to participate
• the singular focus of attention on border
  wait-times is more straight forward
  technically, more cost-effective, and all but
  eliminates any perception of regulatory
  oversight, that would arise if compiling a broad
  cross-section of data on the entire O/D trip.
• there is no compelling operational reason to
  limit attention to any one particular crossing,
  once carrier access is granted and interface with
  the host network(s) is established, data can be
  generated from any/all Ontario crossings.

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Tracking Technology Options

• Technology service options
• CanCom Satellite tracking
• GPS-based tracking
• Similarities
• Real-time (position) tracking, 2-way
  communications
• Precision/accuracy, extent of geographic coverage
• System reliability, data logging storage
  capacity
• Differences
• Network structure
• Scale of operations, existing market shares, and
  most notably,
• How the actual location, or position signal is
  generated

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CanCom Satellite System Service

• Technology Components
• CanCom lease-in-perpetuity on former Anik family
  of telecommunication satellites
• Exclusive Canadian.distributor of QualComms
  proprietary OmniTRACS technology
• Network Service Elements
• Automatic vehicle tracking I.e. position polling
• 2-way communications, via digital text-messaging
• Data storage, data mgmt.services, including
  (optional)integration withback-office
  functions I.e. route planning, dispatch,
  accounting, payroll
• Scale of Operations
• Only satellite service provider in Canada
• Operations Centre processes more than 3M
  transaction per month
• 400 Canadian fleets I.e.,23 of 25 largest
  truckload carriers
• 27,000 mobile units in service, _at_ 20 of
  registered t-trailer units

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Satellite Positioning v.Wait-time Measurement

• Despite its inherent functionality, there is a
  glitch when using the CanCom system to measure
  wait-time at border crossings
• CanCom position polling is done via traditional
  satellite triangulation
• Polling typically done at 1 hr, intervals,
• With each poll time-stamped and long/lat
  coordinates recorded
• Frequency of polling interval can be increased
  at considerable cost to provide a continuous
  stream of readings, but
• Unlike a truck-mounted GPS unit, the satellite
  system cant be programmed to initiate a position
  poll at a pre-defined location, or specific set
  of long/lat coordinates, such as the entry exit
  points of a Can/U.S. border crossing

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What are the viable CanCom options?

• Given its ubiquitous market presence, the sheer
  volume of trip data routinely processed/stored in
  the CanCom system, we can hardly afford to
  ignore, or omit CanCom from further consideration
• Basically, we are left with two options
• Macro Messaging.
• Interpretation of existing Trip Data Streams
• Both are practical, albeit 2nd best
  alternatives
• points in favor against each
• both lack reliability precision of GPS
  readings
• More on these options after reviewing accessible
  GPS options in greater detail

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GPS System Service Options

• GPS based service providers operate in a
  multiple-vendor market, where barriers to
  entry/exit are less prohibitive, and various
  firms , with comparable technology sets, compete
  to provide a differential array of tracking
  services
• GPS System Configurations
• GPS application service providers are typically
  smaller,
• with a shorter, but by no means insignificant,
  list of client carriers, and most notably,
• The actual service provided may differ, based on
  each vendors particular system configuration
• This vital, latter distinction can best be
  illustrated by specific examples

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Air IQ Ltd.

• GPS combined with Cellular to provide a mobile
  communications service network
• AirIQ operates on a different scale, and at a
  lower price-point than CanCom, to offer a similar
  array of tracking, data logging network
  management services
• Features
• Real-time tracking position polling
• 2-way digital communications
• web-based subscriber access
• on-board (downloadable) data storage bus (70
  days, FI/FO)
• on demand Vehicle History Replay with
  hi-resolution mapping interface
• Polling on demand, at predefined, or specified
  locations
• actively markets a Boundary Crossing feature

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Turnpike Global Technologies Ltd.

• GPS mobile technology integrated with vehicle,
  on-board Electronic Control Unit (ECU)
• TGT foregoes real-time tracking mobile
  communications in favor of data logging and
  reporting on vehicle operating performance,
  engine diagnostics, vehicle routing and mileage.
• In effect, TGT offers the equivalent of an
  Electronic Tachograph Card
• Features
• polling at pre-defined, or specified locations
• data logging
• Vehicle performance activity reporting
• IFTA fuel tax allocation IRP reporting

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3rd Party Derivative (IFTA)Applications

• TGT has successfully expanded its primary
  (vehicle diagnostics) service offering to include
  IFTA/IRP fuel tax allocation and reporting for
  both its own and CanCom subscribers.
• This reflects an element of convergence,within
  this industry sector, which has productive
  implications for TCs analytical efforts
• precise identification of jurisdictional
  boundaries is a primary element of IFTA/IRP
  reporting
• TGTs experience in data analysis/interpretation
  for IFTA purposes is an asset/opportunity that
  will enhance our ability to work within the
  limitations of the CanCom data base
• The quality and legitimacy of IFTA reporting
  standards is well established and largely beyond
  refute.

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Border Crossing Times Study
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Call for Volunteers

• TC Ontario region staff drafted a call for
  volunteers for the Border Time Crossing Study to
  be posted on the Ontario Trucking Association
  (OTA) web-based newsletter
• Three interested trucking companies came forward
  initially
• Challenger Motor Freight
• Bison Transport
• Empire Transportation
• and have offered unqualified support and
  participation
• This voluntary solicitation not only laid the
  foundation for bilateral discussions with these 3
  carriers, it has also abetted our efforts to
  engage the interest of additional carriers (I.e.
  carrier by carrier)

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Turnpike Global Technologies (TGT)

• Turnpike provides a GPS tracking system called
  Route Tracker as well as fuel tax reporting
  services for Route Tracker and CanCom customers
• Like an electronic tachograph the Route Tracker
  system combines information from the engine
  control module (J1708) with data generated by GPS
  to provide a detailed fingerprint of each trip
• Data is recorded at frequent intervals i.e, every
  mile or every two miles depending on speed
• This information is stored for up to 7 years for
  IFTA purposes

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TCs Crossing Times Wish List

• To estimate border crossing times at least two
  GPS polls (and associated variables) are required
  on each side of the border, with additional polls
  programmed at pre-defined intervals to create a
  set border zone
• At a minimum, TC wants to profile the border
  crossing times by date, time of day, and day of
  week.
• Ideally TC would then consolidate the data by
  origin destination, carrier type and SCTC
  classification number where possible.
• Desired outputs include crossing time averages
  and variability for Canada and US-bound trips.

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TurnPikes Existing Data Set

• TGTs data base is comprised of historical border
  crossing data for the Bluewater, Ambassador and
  Queenston-Lewiston and Peace Bridges.
• The existing database includes almost 11,000
  truck trips
• The historical time-series includes observations
  from December 2001 to March 2003
• Summary data can be generated on demand in a
  variety of reporting formats.
• New border crossing data is compiled and the
  aggregate data set is updated on a weekly basis.
• This ongoing data can be accessed by TC, at an
  additional cost, as it is compiled processed on
  a weekly/monthly basis.

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TGT Cost Estimates
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Ongoing Efforts . Next Steps

• TC Ontario Region has engaged Turnpike Global
  Technologies (TGT) to customize their program
  software and complete the analysis of their
  (12/01-07/03) data records in accordance with TC
  specifications
• analysis of the existing historic records will
  provide useful baseline data and the foundation
  for a collaborative partnership with a GPS data
  management specialist
• the custom program software will include
  sufficient functionality, one, to generate
  wait-times within a pre-defined border zone as
  well as the actual crossing, and two, to import
  additional data from other external sources.
• Total Cost 21,680.00 Completion date 08/03
• Upon successful completion of the initial
  contract, TC anticipates procuring additional
  border wait time data from TGT on an ongoing
  (weekly/monthly)basis.
• Total Cost _at_ 25-30K/annum

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Ongoing efforts Next Steps (contd)

• The potential exists to negotiate a similar
  contractual agreement with AirIQ to procure
  border crossing data on an ongoing
  (weekly/monthly) basis.
• Discussions with AirIQ have been ongoing and data
  access/procurement options have been discussed at
  length
• Detailed negotiations awaiting only carrier
  consent to access data records before proceeding
• Estimated Cost25K/annum for 100 crossings/day,
  based on 0.20/data entry (negotiable depending
  on volume), plus Start-Up costs (nominal)
• Depending on the results of TGTs development
  efforts raw data procured form AirIQ, and other
  potential sources, could be imported into the TGT
  software model

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Other Related Intiatives Next Steps

• In light of the limitations cited respecting the
  CanCom data base, Macro-Messaging is the only
  immediately apparent option to generate wait-time
  data via the CanCom network
• Macros are preformatted sub-routines to
  facilitate ease of text messaging
• 2 simple Marcos, delineating entry/exit at border
  crossings, would be activated by drivers with
  little more than 2 keystrokes
• Discussions with CanCom have determined the costs
  of initiating this option to be _at_ 10K/annum per
  100crossings/day, plus 15K start-up costs, plus
  _at_7K /annum for Q Mass subscriber renewal fees.
  

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Other Related Initiatives Next Steps

• Considering the extent of CanComs market reach,
  we believe Macro-Messaging to be a viable option
  however, two mitigating factors warrant further
  consideration before proceeding
• Initial carrier reaction to the Macro messaging
  option is skeptical, or lukewarm at best. They
  question the reliability of driver intervention,
  otherwise noting any intervention is not part of
  current business process
• The emergence of TGT ltd, with it existing Q Mass
  access to CanCom data and corresponding expertise
  in data interpretation for IFTA/IRP reporting,
  presents an opportunity for us to work in
  collaboration with both to further assess
  derivative way/mean to fine-tune and/or interpret
  existing trip data streams.