Work Vehicle Access Control System Geofencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fleet management systems for construction work vehicles lack flexibility and effective theft control, as they do not prevent vehicles from traveling between job sites or accurately monitor time spent at each site, leading to potential theft and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle access control system utilizing a location sensor and electronic control unit to disable the engine when leaving designated job sites, allowing limited restarts to return to the site, and tracking elapsed time for each site, preventing travel between non-contiguous job sites and enforcing predetermined operational limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle engine is shut down when leaving a predetermined area, then theft control is improved, but the vehicle becomes disabled for all further movement preventing access by other vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different operational states to different locations: within the geofence the vehicle operates normally, while outside the geofence the engine is disabled. This local differentiation allows theft prevention at remote locations while maintaining full operational capability at authorized job sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the vehicle's operational state based on real-time location data. The engine control is not static but adjusts continuously according to whether the vehicle is inside or outside the authorized geofence boundaries, enabling flexible control that adapts to the vehicle's movement.
2Reliability
If the vehicle is disabled from all movement when leaving the area, then theft protection is enhanced, but work efficiency decreases as the vehicle cannot be moved to different job sites
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the operational space into multiple authorized geofences (job sites) rather than a single restricted area. The vehicle can be authorized to operate at multiple distinct locations, allowing it to move between different job sites while still preventing unauthorized theft at undeclared locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The geofencing system serves multiple functions: it provides theft protection, enables multi-site operation, and maintains productivity. By configuring multiple authorized locations, the system universally applies security control across all job sites while allowing the vehicle to fulfill its work function at each location.
3Reliability
If complete access control is provided to the vehicle, then security is improved, but flexibility for construction business operations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The access control system is dynamic rather than static. It adjusts the vehicle's operational status based on real-time location information, allowing full access within authorized geofences and restricted access outside them. This dynamic approach provides both security and operational flexibility for construction businesses.
Solution Approach 2:
Different access levels are applied to different locations. The vehicle receives full operational access at authorized job sites while experiencing restricted access at unauthorized locations. This local differentiation allows construction businesses to maintain operational flexibility at work sites while ensuring security during transport or at undeclared locations.
Data Source
AI summary
An access control system for a work vehicle that has an engine and a location is provided, the system including location sensor that indicates the vehicle's location and an electronic control unit coupled to the sensor that receives the location signal and selectively disables the engine based upon the vehicle's position outside job site boundary's or based upon the time of operation at a plurality of job sites, each job site having its own time of operation.