The road freight industry in South Africa has witnessed a 30 percent rise in hijackings and cargo theft in the past year, according to statistics from the transport ministry.

This worrying trend has seen cargo transport operators looking for ways to improve the safety of their fleet on the road, and one such way has been the introduction of telematics in fleet management.

Vehicular telematics – the integrated use of telecommunications and information processing, such as the invention of the emergency warning system for vehicles, GPS navigation, integrated hands-free cell phones, wireless safety communications and automatic driving assistance systems – has so far been the most effective way of combating carjacking on the South African Roads.

The scope of telematics encompasses vehicle tracking; monitoring the location, movements, status and behaviour of a vehicle or fleet of vehicles, trailer tracking (checking the movements and position of an articulated vehicle’s trailer unit), through the use of a location unit fitted to the vehicle or the trailer and a method of returning the position data via mobile communication network or geostationary satellite communications, for use through either PC- or web-based software.

Benefits of this approach include increased security and the possibility to reschedule the container transport movements based on accurate information about its location. But for telematics to be completely effective, there needs to be cooperation from all parties concerned, not least the truck drivers who sometimes have fallen into the temptation of colluding with cargo or fuel thieves; and even road administrators to make it easier for recoveries and telematics to work. Therefore, there is need for sound man management and integrated policies put in place by freight companies if the industry is to eradicate the scourge of car and cargo theft from its body politic.

The instalment of modern ways of fleet management by freight companies and individual car owners has not only ensured the safety and security of their vehicles, but has also helped in reducing the insurance bill, as more careful drivers would be separated from their carefree counterparts just by reading driver behaviour through telematics technology.

To explore the possibility of widespread telematics use in the South African transport industry, as well as find more ways in which to make the roads safe for truckers and other motorists, Vukani Communications has organised a Transport Telematics and Vehicle Security Workshop, where experts in the field of telematics and cargo movement will give an in-depth analysis of the innovative ways in which cargo thieves and carjackers have upped their game in their quest to deprive car owners of their precious cargo and vehicles.

Objectives of the Workshop

 Explore new ways of combating highway robberies
 Analyse how telematics are used to combat hijackings
 Explore ways in which driver behaviour can aid the use of telematics
 Discuss on the way forward in ensuring freight, bus and individual car security on the road

Topics to be discussed

 Statistics on vehicle theft in South Africa
 The state of telematics technology in South Africa
 Telematics implements and tracking devices
 The future of telematics and vehicle security in South Africa
 Using technology to counter hijacking
 The impact of telematics and fleet management technology on insurance
 Promoting best driver practices in fleet management
 Introducing the tele-driver: Ways in which technology conscious drivers ensure safe cargo movement
 Opportunities and challenges for the industry
 The importance of collaboration in the transport industry to promote security
 Telematics Start-ups
 Regulatory framework in relation to telematics
 The benefits of investing in telematics technology
 Road security for individual cars
 Mobile phone apps and telematics
 Staying ahead of Criminals – the case of Mix Telematics
 Ctrack – Ensuring swift response in case of hijacking attempts
 Smart termini and Smart Stations, and the convenience of passengers
 Synergies between freight companies and road administrators
 Approaches to risk management in the Transport sector
 Real-time vehicle monitoring with iCam

Audiences to Attend

 Freight Transport Directors
 Freight Transport Managers
 Cross Border Transport Managers
 Long Distance Passenger Transport Managers
 Fleet Management Heads
 Road administration managers
 Operation Managers
 CEOs
 Managing Directors
 Heads of Fleet Management
 Chief Operating Officer/ Operations Managers
 Chief Technology Officers
 Chief Financial Officers
 Technical Managers
 Fleet Specialists
 Chief Safety Directors
 Risk Managers
 Environmental Health and Safety Managers
 Operational Safety Managers
 Fleet Management Strategists
 Sustainability Managers
 Logistics & Supply Chain Managers
 Flow Specialists
 Road Safety Executives
 Strategy Specialists
 Chief Strategy Officers

Sectors to Attend

 Road Freight Associations
 Fleet Management Suppliers
 Original Equipment Manufacturers
 Universities
 Municipalities
 Road Administration Associations
 Telematics Technology Suppliers
 Vehicle Insurance Companies
 Freight Transport Operators
 Long Distance Passenger Operators
 Cross Border Transport Associations and Operators

The workshop takes place on 4 – 5 October 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in Rosebank, Johannesburg.