Fleet Management on the Internet in an Esri Environment

CompassCom has developed a client/server application that allows multiple wireless GPS and status data to flow into a Windows NT server called CompassFDE (Fleet Data Engine). The server then provides a TCP/IC source for a MapObjects and ArcExplorer client called CompassTrac to provide real-time fleet position and status information. The flexibility of the wireless data inputs to the server and the open environment of .shp file maps used by the client make the solution unique. This software is being used by public safety and transportation organizations to share fleet data, such as vehicle location, status, and dynamic routing, to enhance their efficiency.

CompassCom has developed an application called CompassFDE (Fleet Data Engine) that collects vehicle position and status information, archives it, and serves it in real time to GIS, Mapping, and AVL clients. The advantage of using CompassFDE is that AVL Display Clients require only one connection to receive potentially all of the AVL data from one or multiple agencies and multiple wireless communication infrastructures.

Physically, the FDE is a Windows NT (or Windows 2000) server running CompassFDE software capable of capturing AVL reports from multiple sources. Input capability includes RS-232 based serial data from a Private Mobile Radio based AVL system, for example, and TCP/IP data from a CDPD based AVL or digital radio network. In addition interfaces to cellular communications networks are being developed. CompassFDE parses all received messages for critical information including latitude, longitude, speed, heading, vehicle ID, and status and archives the data into an internal SQL database while simultaneously serving it to all connected client applications such as a Computer Aided Dispatch, GIS, or a dedicated AVL viewing program.

The FDE parsing routines are custom built for each type of message expected to arrive at one of its ports. These messages will be composed of ASCII or Binary data and will include at least latitude, longitude, and vehicle ID. Different manufacturers of GPS hardware use different message formats and types. Because the FDE parsers are custom built for each type of message received, it becomes a simple matter to accumulate and serve AVL data from various sources and manufacturers simultaneously. It is a fairly straightforward matter for CompassCom to build parsing routines for messages not currently supported. In addition, as new and improved hardware becomes available, FDE can be enhanced to support their data formats.

The CompassFDE to Client connection is based on a standard TCP/IP client/server architecture. When an AVL Viewing Client initiates a connection to CompassFDE, an authentication process takes place to determine which vehicles that client has permission to see. In many cases the client will be given ALL of the vehicle data available, but there are instances where a client will only be served a subset of the available AVL data. After the authentication process is complete, the port is opened and AVL data is streamed to the client in near real time. Because the connection is TCP/IP based, the client and CompassFDE can reside in separate locations as long as they are both Internet/Intranet enabled. CompassCom has created an Application Program Interface (API) to help third party software developers facilitate the development of this connection.

CompassFDE was programmed with large AVL systems in mind. As a result, a distributed approach to the application components is used. This means that the individual parts (parsers, archivers, servers) can be spread across multiple computers if needed. Vehicle counts on the order of thousands can be handled by “throwing” hardware and network bandwidth at CompassFDE. In addition, there is really no limit to the number of clients that can connect to CompassFDE and receive a real time stream of AVL data.

In some instances, customers may not wish the full functionality of an AVL based Computer Aided Dispatch. In these situations, simple AVL Viewer Clients can connect to the server and provide dispatchers, supervisors, chiefs, and anybody else the ability to see the real time position and status of their mobile assets. CompassCom has developed such a Viewer Client called CompassTrac. CompassTrac is an application using Esri’s MapObjects to display standard GIS maps (Esri Shape File Format) as a background for the real time position of the AVL equipped vehicles. With CompassTrac, desktop users have the ability to connect to CompassFDE via any Internet/Intranet connection and “see” the fleet. CompassTrac can also reside on a laptop equipped with a wireless Internet connection (such as CDPD). This allows mobile AVL viewing for Battalion Chiefs, incident commanders, and anybody else who would benefit from viewing the real time position of their fleet in the field. CompassTrac Features:

· Real time tracking	· Replay
· >Address location	· Event locations
· Full zoom and pan capabilities	· Find/Follow vehicles
· Custom vehicle icons	· Display of vehicle status
· Fleet Reports	· Street routing

CompassFDE and CompassTrac are available now. The work CompassCom has put into this program will minimize the development time needed by CAD companies and GIS developers wishing to include AVL in their system. In addition, because CompassFDE is capable of merging AVL data from various sources into one stream, the clients need only be concerned with ONE connection for reliable and timely AVL reports. Please contact CompassCom for additional information concerning CompassFDE, CompassTrac, and any other AVL issues.

Name: Brant Howard
Organization: CompassCom, Inc.
Title: President
Telephone/Fax: 303-680-3221 / 303-766-2488
Email: brant@compasscom.com
WEB: www.compasscom.com