GPS based tank truck fleet management systems

Abstract

Downstream petroleum industry in Sri Lanka is basically divided in to two major wings “ Terminaling and Marketing” . Ceylon Petroleum Corporation(Ceypetco) and Lanka Indian Oil Corporation(LIOC) are predominantly engaged in marketing business whilst engaging themselves in a lesser magnitude of 5% in terminaling business where as Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited(CPSTL) which is a joint wenture of CPC and LIOC is totally engaged in the terminaling business. CPSTL is responsible for the supply refined petroleum products in bulk to dealers, consumers or to the island wide sub storages of CPSTL called petroleum depots. Terminaling business in Sri Lanka CPSTL is authorized to carry out 95% of the distribution of refined petroleum products in the country. Approximately 80% of bulk fuel deliveries is carried out by CPSTL by using tank trucks either from the main two petroleum terminals, Kolonnawa and Muthurajawela or from the island wide depots. With the escalation of price of crude oil and refined petroleum products higher incidents of malpractices is on the records committed by tank truck operators transporting to fuels. Given this scenario it is of cardinal importance for the CPSTL to ensure that the refined petroleum products delivered by road tankers reach the destinations on time with correct product quality and quantity. The malpractices and breach of discipline committed by tank truck operators usually require extra time conducive locations and avoidance of being tracked. It is envisaged that Fleet Management System developed on “Global Positioning System”(GPS) and “Global System for Mobile Communication”(GSM) technologies would be capable of providing solutions to the array of problems encountered by CPSTL management with regard to difficulty in monitoring tank truck moments while the cargo is on transit. The main objective in this project is to develop a low cost tank truck tracking system using limited resources, with the possibility of an added security feature. The low cost GPS tank truck tracking systems would track the movement and determine the exact location of vehicles.