• Prevent un-authorised driving
• Reduce damage to vehicles and buildings
• Reduce damage to aircraft
• Improve driving standards and reduce accidents

There is a risk of unauthorised personnel driving airline support vehicles around the
airport apron. This can result in damage to the vehicles, aircraft and buildings and
is also a clear security risk. Davis Derby has developed a PIN and Chip driver access control system based on its successful TruckLOG range of products to cut damage costs and overcome these problems. The system is now in use at Heathrow airport.

Description

Vehicle Smartcard Reader/Keypad

It is important to control driver access to vehicles to those drivers who are approved and properly trained. Furthermore it is desirable to monitor which drivers have driven specific vehicles so that damage can be traced to individual drivers. The system is suitable for all types of vehicle including tow tractors, baggage handling vehicles, scissor lift vehicles, tug conveyors, mobile stairs and conventional road going vehicles. The system is based on Davis Derby Easyview Direct 2 software and an Oracle database. Alternative database solutions may be available to order.

System Details

This bespoke TruckLOG system is specially engineered for airport applications, it comprises Davis Derby Easyview Direct software, which generates a database of all drivers, vehicles and their allocated departments used in conjunction with a Smartcard programmer which is connected to the computer. 

Each vehicle is fitted with a compact RFID Smartcard reader and a keypad to enable drivers to log-on and log-off the vehicle.

Vehicles in the fleet are identified as a specific vehicle type, this information is programmed into the Smartcard reader using a vehicle setup Smartcard which is programmed with the vehicle ID number and type of vehicle and the department to which it is allocated.

Drivers are issued with a personal 4-digit PIN number and an RFID Smartcard the size of a credit card which acts as a driving licence. To start a vehicle the driver must log on by entering their PIN number on the keypad and presenting their Smartcard to the reader unit. Only if the correct PIN number has been entered and the truck type and department stored in the vehicle Smartcard reader matches the information stored on the driver’s Smartcard, can the vehicle be started. Vehicle Smartcard Reader and Keypad.

Vehicles can be taken out of service by using a specially programmed “Out of Use” card, once programmed as being out of use, only specified maintenance engineers or supervisors can drive the vehicle until it is put back into service by using another specially programmed “In Use” Smartcard.

When a driver’s card is programmed, an expiry date for the Smartcard is set, in addition, an expiry date for each vehicle type the driver is authorised to drive is also programmed on to the Smartcard.

Each vehicle has a real time clock which is used to check the driver’s Smartcard has not expired and that the driver is still permitted to drive the specific type of vehicle.

The system prevents unattended vehicles being used by unauthorised personnel.

In the event of an abandoned vehicle or an  incident, a data collection Smartcard allows data to be retrieved from the vehicle and a report to be produced which identifies the last 40 driver log-on’s of the vehicle with the time and date when the driver logged-on and the duration the driver was logged-on to the vehicle.

Smartcards can be programmed to disable vehicles, preventing drivers from starting a vehicle unless they have Engineer status.

Drivers normally log-off by pressing a button on the keypad or in the case of an IC engine vehicle, turning off the ignition switch, the system will log-off 10 seconds after the ignition switch is turned off. This feature allows the driver time to restart the vehicle in the event of stalling the engine without the need to log on again. In the case of an electric vehicle, the log-off timer is configurable.

Programming Smartcards

Smartcard Programmer

Smartcards are programmed using a Smartcard Allocator connected to a computer running Davis Derby Easyview Direct software. The software is programmed with details of drivers and vehicles. The information is stored in an Oracle Database.

The driver section of the database contains details of all drivers, the type of vehicle they are authorised to drive and the specific department or departments in which they can drive.

The vehicle section of the database is programmed with details of all vehicles including vehicle type, identification and the department to which the vehicle is allocated.

Data can be extracted from the vehicle to identify the last 40 driver log-on’s, using a Data retrieval card which is presented to the vehicle Smartcard reader and then taken to the Smartcard Allocator for interrogation to produce a computer generated report listing the drivers and identifying the vehicle.

System Enhancements

The basic system can be enhanced to include short range radio telemetry from the vehicles to a fixed radio base station which is connected to a computer to provide data logging and fleet management reports. In addition the shock sensors on certain vehicles are available to enable driver performance comparisons to reduce the amount of damage caused by impacts. Future enhancements to the basic system include a GSM GPRS option to provide continuous on line vehicle monitoring to a remote location.

Click here for a .pdf version of this document