EU peacekeepers use IoT-based fleet tracking in Georgia and Kosovo

Two European Union (EU) peacekeeping organizations have deployed telematics technology to track and manage fleets in Georgia and Kosovo.

To improve fleet management and keep personnel safe, the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia and EU Rule of Law Mission, which are responsible for maintaining law and order and border patrol in their regions, chose the SafeFleet Telematics system provided by satellite messaging company, Globalstar Europe Satellite Services.

Following a phased deployment, the IoT-based tracking system, which assists with monitoring driver behavior, as well as safeguarding both personnel and civilian passengers, has been installed in all vehicles used for logistics and transport, including armored vehicles and all-terrain Pathfinder vehicles.

Connectivity is critical

Globalstar’s SafeFleet Telematics platform is a bespoke hardware and software-based product that automatically switches between GSM and Globalstar’s simplex satellite network.

This ensures that EU peacekeeping vehicles and their passengers are always in contact, and will always be able to summon emergency help. According to Oliver Albu, international business manager at SafeFleet Telematics, this is crucial.

“In many areas where these peacekeeping organizations operate, the GSM network is not stable or far-reaching enough,” Albu said.

“The most critical requirement was ubiquitous and reliable connection, even where adequate GSM could not be guaranteed. Globalstar satisfied this demand.”

Keeping EU teams safe while keeping the peace

The fleet management technology used by both EU organizations prior to the installation of SafeFleet was deemed inadequate in terms of functionality, reach and reliability.

However, as well as providing connectivity benefits, the new system tackles these problems.

Supposedly, it includes an RFID-based identification system to ensure each driver is authorized and in possession of the required licence.

It also comes with a one-touch panic button, enabling drivers to alert security teams and to summon support in an emergency, and it allows customers to monitor fuel consumption and other engine metrics to optimize vehicle performance and manage maintenance scheduling.

Importantly, these deployments also include the SmartOne plug-and-play simplex device, which provides the monitoring and tracking capabilities behind the solution.

This device uses motion sensors, comparative GPS positions and sensors to gather and transmit asset status information over Globalstar’s satellite network, such as movement and location reports, geo-fencing alerts, stop/start messaging and theft recovery alerts via email or text message. Its motion alerts can assist with detection of attempted theft, for example.

The more recent deployment, for EULEX, incorporated over 530 of these devices.

The effort is all part of a move to enable EU personnel to “carry out their important operations with better efficiency, communications reliability and security,” as one Globalstar employee familiar with the project noted.