The increasing of cargo thefts in Brazil, allied with high valued transported loads and long-distance travelled, have created a need for transport protections and fleet controls. Currently, tracking system has been largely used for this function.
The CONTRAN Resolution #245, which states that OEMs must install tracking systems in all produced vehicle from August 2009 on, it was enacted to improve transport security and reduce the losses for the country.
Besides the basic functions of the tracking and blocking system - vehicle location and engine operation inhibition - there are opportunities to add fleet management functions like fuel consumption, engine performance and others.
This paper is going to define some basics concepts and show how the tracking systems and fleet management functions can impact in the electrical architecture of a truck. Then, the most important transport issues (operation cost, vehicle failure and accidents) will be analyzed through statistical data and we will indentify some cost reduction and accident avoidance opportunities.