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Glossary

Think of a glossary like your language cheat sheet. No more scratching your head over confusing words; the glossary is your go-to buddy for decoding the language and keeping things crystal clear!

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G
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M
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A
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
What is an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)? An ABS is a vehicle safety feature designed to prevent wheel lockup during braking. By rapidly modulating brake pressure, an ABS allows the driver to maintain steering control and avoid skidding. Such systems use sensors to monitor wheel speed and a control unit to adjust braking force as needed.
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B
Business Mileage Claim
What is a Business Mileage Claim? A business mileage claim is a request made to the UK Government in order to reduce the amount of tax that needs to be paid at the end of the year. Business mileage is an expense which an employee is required to take as a direct result of work-related travel.
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Big Data Analytics
What is big data analytics? Big data analytics involves examining large and complex datasets from diverse sources, such as telematics, maintenance records, and fuel card transactions. By identifying patterns and trends, it helps optimise fleet operations by driving more informed decision-making.
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C
CAN Bus
What is CAN Bus? The Controller Area Network (CAN) bus is a communication system used in vehicles. It operates on a message-based protocol, facilitating seamless communication among electronic devices in a vehicle without requiring a central host computer. This network, aptly named "Controller Area Network," enables vehicles to efficiently exchange information between different components within the vehicle.
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Carbon Emission, Footprint, and Reporting
Carbon Emission In fleet management, carbon emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere from vehicles. These emissions are primarily the exhaust gases produced by internal combustion engines running on petrol or diesel. Managing and reducing these emissions is integral for fleets to comply with environmental regulations and to meet sustainability goals.
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D
Decarbonisation
What is fleet decarbonisation? Fleet decarbonisation refers to the reduction of carbon emissions generated by an organisation's fleet of vehicles. This process is crucial for minimising environmental impact, enhancing fleet sustainability, and tackling climate change.
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Driver Vehicle Inspection Report
What is a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report? A driver vehicle inspection report, often referred to by its acronym DVIR, is an official record which certifies that a driver of a commercial vehicle has completed a full inspection of that vehicle. In the UK, this is known as a walkaround check.
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Digital Tachograph
The aim of every fleet is to be more efficient regarding both fuel and time, all while maintaining legal compliance. Digital tachographs streamline the processes involved within these areas, making them an essential tool for fleet managers.
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Digital Tacho Symbols
What are Digital Tacho Symbols? Digital tacho symbols refer to the indicators on a tachograph which show the activity status of a fleet driver. For instance, they are primarily used to record a driver’s driving, break, and rest times. As such, these symbols collectively represent a set of preconfigured modes designed in order to collect various insightful measurements.
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Dash Cam
What is a Dash Cam? Dash cams are on-board recording devices that are generally mounted onto the dashboard of a vehicle. From there, these cameras collect a video recording of a fleet vehicle’s surroundings, whether it is stationary or on the road.
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E
Engine Idling
What is Engine Idling? Engine idling occurs when the engine continues to run while the vehicle remains stationary. Common instances of unnecessary idling include drivers leaving the engine on during heavy traffic, at red lights, while unloading packages, or during breaks.
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Engine Control Module (ECM)
What is an engine control module (ECM)? An engine control module (ECM), also referred to as an electronic control unit (ECU), is a sophisticated computer system designed to manage and optimise engine performance. It plays a critical role in monitoring and regulating key engine functions, including fuel injection, air intake, ignition timing, and emission controls.
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Electronic Logging Device
What is an Electronic Logging Device (ELD)? ELDs, also known as electronic logbooks, are devices which connect to the engine of a commercial vehicle so as to allow fleet drivers to automatically track the activities they carry out throughout the day.
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Electronic Braking Performance Monitoring System (EBPMS)
What is an EBPMS? An Electronic Braking Performance Monitoring System (EBPMS) is an advanced tool designed to monitor, analyse, and document brake performance data of commercial vehicles during daily fleet operations. EBPMS detects braking events initiated by drivers, adjusting braking force in response to speed reduction or reaching minimum velocity thresholds.
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Estimated Time of Arrival
What is Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)? An ETA is the expected time and date when a fleet vehicle is predicted to reach either a specific waypoint or its final destination during a delivery or shipment.
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F
Fuel Management System
What is a Fuel Management System? Fundamentally, a fuel management system is a set of tools designed to monitor, manage, and optimise the fuel-related aspects of a vehicle fleet. These systems represent a way of improving fuel efficiency, productivity and, consequently, cost control by tracking fuel usage in real-time.
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Fleet Operating Costs
What are fleet operating costs? Fleet operating costs cover a wide range of expenses that require ongoing financial resources. The main components of these costs include fuel costs, vehicle maintenance costs, and compliance penalties.
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Fleet Risk Management
What is Fleet Risk Management? Fleet risk management refers to the processes and strategies whereby organisations identify, assess, and mitigate both the physical and regulatory risks associated with their vehicle fleets.
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Field Service Management
What is field service management? Field service management is the process of overseeing and coordinating a business’s fleet and field operations. This involves tasks such as scheduling, handling work orders, performance monitoring, GPS tracking, data analytics, reporting, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
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G
Geographic Information System
What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)? A Geographic Information System is a computer-based tool used to visualise and scrutinise geographically referenced data. It integrates data linked to specific locations in order to create detailed maps and spatial analyses.
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Geofencing
What is Geofencing? Geofencing in fleet management refers to the use of geographic boundaries which are defined through GPS technology to create virtual perimeters around specific areas or routes. This technology allows fleet managers to set up predefined geographical zones, or ‘geofences’, and receive alerts or trigger certain actions when a vehicle enters or exits these designated areas.
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GPS Technology
What is Fleet GPS Technology? Fleet GPS technology refers to hardware used to track the activity of a vehicle fleet by way of integration with fleet management software. Such GPS tracking typically operates through small, sensor-equipped devices that receive satellite signals and are discreetly installed into each vehicle.
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Gross Vehicle Weight
What is Gross Vehicle Weight? The term gross vehicle weight, often referred to as GVW, consists of the total weight of individual or multiple fleet vehicles, such as trucks, trailers, and HGVs. It is a key factor in fleet management because excessive weight or imbalance can pose risks to drivers and other road users.
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H
Heavy Goods Vehicle
Definition of a Heavy Goods Vehicle The term 'Heavy Goods Vehicle,' usually abbreviated as HGV, refers to any vehicle weighing over 3,500 kg, inclusive of its carried cargo.
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Hours of Service
What is HOS? The term 'hours of service' (HOS), often abbreviated as such, delineates a set of regulations enforced by governmental traffic authorities. These regulations play an important role in governing the working hours of individuals employed in the transportation sector, including professions such as truck drivers, bus operators, and mail carriers.
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L
Light Goods Vehicle
What is a Light Goods Vehicle? A light goods vehicle, commonly referred to as an LGV, is classified as a commercial vehicle with a total gross weight not exceeding 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes).
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M
Mobile Workforce Management
What is mobile workforce management? Mobile workforce management refers to technology-driven systems which are designed to oversee fleet staff working beyond a physical site or office environment.
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O
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
What is an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)? An OEM is a business or company that produces parts, software, or equipment which other organisations incorporate into their products. OEMs are essential in various industries, including automotive and IT.
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On-Board Diagnostics (OBD)
What is On-Board Diagnostics (OBD)? OBD is a feature in vehicles that monitors and processes diagnostic information through a network of sensors connected to the controller area network (CAN), which acts as the vehicle’s central processing unit. This system provides a comprehensive overview of the vehicle's health, facilitating efficient problem diagnosis and offering valuable insights for fleet managers seeking to optimise fleet performance and reliability.
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P
Predictive Maintenance
What is predictive maintenance? Predictive maintenance is a proactive strategy in fleet management that leverages data analytics to forecast when a vehicle will need servicing or repairs.
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R
Route Optimisation
What is Route Optimisation? The term route optimisation refers to the process of choosing the most advantageous travel paths for fleet vehicles. While minimising fuel costs is the most immediate and desirable consequence, the primary objective of route optimisation is to heighten overall fleet efficiency.
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S
Service Intervals
What is a Service Interval? Service intervals refer to the recommended frequency for vehicle servicing, typically determined by factors such as elapsed time, odometer readings, or engine operation hours.
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T
Telematics Devices
What are Telematics Devices? A telematics device is a piece of hardware that generally consists of a GPS receiver, an engine interface unit, an accelerometer, a communicative buzzer, a SIM card, and an input/output port for external computer connectivity. Being so equipped, telematics devices track the real-time location of every vehicle within a fleet while collecting a range of more technical data from each by way of interacting with onboard electronic sensors and diagnostic codes.
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Telematics
What is Telematics? Telematics refers to systems comprising various technologies such as telecommunications devices for data transmission and storage, vehicle-integrated systems for live tracking, and satellite navigation.
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Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
What is a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)? As their name implies, tyre pressure monitoring systems are engineered to continuously monitor tyre air pressure and issue alerts upon detecting abnormalities, such as underinflation.
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Total Cost of Ownership
What is Total Cost of Ownership? Total cost of ownership refers to a financial examination spanning the entire lifecycle of a capital purchase. It delves into the expenses associated with owning an asset, encompassing both short-term and long-term operational costs.
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V
Vehicle Downtime
What is Vehicle Downtime? Vehicle downtime encompasses any period during which a vehicle is unavailable for use, regardless of the cause. Typically, it arises due to malfunctions or damages which require repairs or part replacements. However, various factors can contribute to such downtime, impacting fleet operational efficiency and productivity.
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Vehicle Connectivity
What is vehicle connectivity? A connected vehicle is equipped with mobile technology that enables it to access the internet. Through this connectivity, a vehicle can share and receive data with other devices.
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