10 Jun Remote Tachograph data downloading module – NEW EU REGULATIONS
*The article is updated due to the new EU regulations included in “Mobility” package, which requires vehicles with maximum premissible weight above 2.5 tons to be equiped with tachograph units. More information can be found HERE.
GPS Logistic has an option for remote downloading of tachograph and driver card records. To achieve this goal, a Tachograph Remote Download Module has to be added to the GPS tracking device. This module enables automatic downloading of the tachograph data to our server. The files are then archived and available for access trhought the GPS system under the profile of each vehicle.
The feature is available for all models of tachograph units, supporting the option for remote data download (usually, devices made after 2011). The option has to be enabled in advance – unlocked in tachograph service shop. Basically, the tachograph has to be set to authorise requests for remote download of data. The final step is on behalf of the customer, who has to insert the company card into the tachograph unit of the vehicle and then press a few buttons.
After the tachograph device is unlocked for remote data downloading, the communication module is installed in the vehicle, and and the company card is introduced to each tachograph, we can proceed to the last preparation step – the setup of the working station to which the reader and the company card will be installed and connected. Before stepping into this stage, the customer has to be supplied with a stationary smart card reading device and a hauler card, which is issued by the respective goverment agency responsible for approving carrier permits. The card reader should be connected to the computer and the company card has to be inserted in it for tachograph authorisation purposes when the remote data download process starts. There is a software driver for the card reader, which has to be installed, and also an application, that manages the remote introduction of the hauler card to the tachograph. The tachograph files and files of the driver cards are downloaded by a pre-defined schedule (30 days for tacho and 14 for driver info) and they remain available for local saving from the GPS monitoring application.
The downloaded files are in format .ddd, which is unrecognizable for the standard software applications, but can be read with different types of specialized programs. The files are locked for editing and ready to be submitted to the respective authorities upon request.
The above feature is especially useful for companies, that are focused in the area of international transportation, but are unable to periodically call back home their vehicles. The remote tachograph data downloading module solves that problem, because it makes tachograph and driver card records downloaded over the air on schedule and available at all times.