Companies move their assets around the world through a variety of transportation network pathways including the roads, railways, airports and seaports. In order to keep these pathways running smoothly and efficiently, companies are dependent on good communication derived from information on everything from global positioning to departure times. This helps to ensure speedy responses to security issues as and when they arise.
Leaps in technology have made it easier than ever for companies to keep their transportation networks secure through the use of so called ‘smart communities’. Provided businesses choose a reliable vendor, companies are will be able to communicate across these networks with their clients without fear of being vulnerable to malicious attacks. Encryption of professional data will prevent ‘eavesdropping’ and limit insider knowledge to a specific group.
Using advances in information technology, it is now easier than ever to track the location of any subject. When related data is compiled it can be put to all sorts of uses and has revolutionised the nature of the transportation infrastructure. It is most notably vehicle transportation (which concentrates on monitoring people, vehicles and cargo as they use the roads to journey around the country) which has benefitted the greatest amount through the mainstream introduction of various wireless technologies.
Mobile computers stored on lorries and trucks help to increase the visibility of cargo, whilst facilities like web mapping help drivers to locate vacant parking spaces and carry out their tasks more efficiently by avoiding costly mistakes like getting caught in traffic jams or making incorrect deliveries. Drivers can also be helpfully prompted to renew permits or to pay parking charges.
Since vehicles can be traced along any part of their route, troublesome stretches of road can be cut out of the plan altogether, increasing company productivity hugely. Workers’ whereabouts can be traced digitally, eliminating the costly need for reams of paper work. Because vehicles can also share data about their performance, in the event of break down, spare parts can be quickly sought and time at the side of the road reduced significantly. Better yet customers can be provided with more accurate and timely information about their shipments.
Meanwhile at the airport, baggage can be tracked with passive radio frequency identification to ensure it is delivered from the counter to the runway safely and directly, simultaneously allaying the worries of passengers and national security alike.
At ports and aboard ships, data capture capabilities enable the close monitoring of when containers are opened or inspected. This helps to improve accountability for all cargo by establishing a clear chain of custody.
Railway operations are likewise kept in check through wireless computing. By helping to check the status of recording accurate schedules and the location of freight, train arrival times can be narrowed down to the second for clients and customers alike.
The birth of these technologies is helping transportation networks to guarantee their security. Trend spotting technology has lead to the creation of applications which consolidate geospatial information and analyse data, which in turn allows problem areas to be pinpointed and decisions to be made about how resources are best organized quickly and efficiently, saving both time and money.
Alex Harrard is an enthusiastic bike rider and slam lock specialist at Maple Fleet Services.