TrAVL FAQs

1 DATA COMMUNICATIONS

1.1 How can a customer anticipate the amount of channel traffic from vehicle tracking?
The estimated data traffic depends upon the number of vehicles you want to poll and how often
you want to retrieve their location data. For AVL data messaging, subscribers can be polled at a
rate of approximately two per second using a poll interval (set on the Channel Card) of 500
milliseconds (ms). So, for example, 120 data subscribers could all be polled in about one minute
on a clear channel.
The key value of TrAVL data is that the network protocol uses subaudible signaling to
communicate with the Trunked mobiles and instructs the units to send back their location data
directly, without a channel grant request, on the Data Channel. This process, combined with the
polling sequence, minimizes any message conflict or channel contention which would add to the
traffic loading on the system. In essence, data is almost transparent to the network operations.

1.2 How should the Dealer determine the polling rate?
The Dealer should consider the number of units on the channel and the desired update interval.
For example, with a Poll Interval of 500 ms, and a fleet of 60 vehicles on a channel, the entire fleet
could be polled in 30 seconds, and then the channel would be available to voice traffic. The
channel would remain available to voice traffic until the next poll took place, which is determined
by the Minimum Poll Time setting. The Poll Interval and Minimum Poll Time settings are subject
to customer preferences and depend on how many units are on the channel and how frequently
the customer wants position updates on the map. See also Question 1.5 below.

1.3 Which channel should be used for data?
It is recommended to use the current Home Channel as the data channel. This data configuration
has no impact on subscribers, as the data channel merely looks to them like a busy Home Channel
when in poll mode. For voice calls, they will trunk off to another channel and, for data polls,
respond directly back on the Home (Data) Channel. It is suggested that the system manager start
with a defined polling sequence, and then monitor the busy rate on the channel to determine if the
polling interval or times should be extended or the channel configuration changed.

1.4 When should I consider adding more data channels to my system?
Currently an NTS site supports only one data channel. However, it is practical for a single channel
to support over 800 subscribers.

1.5 How can the polling rate be adjusted?
The TrAVL Polling Rate is global and not dynamic to the subscriber. There are a few parameters
that are adjustable to fit your Customer operation. The two typical parameters are: Poll Interval
(the interval between individual polls during a poll cycle) and Minimum Poll Time (the interval
between poll cycles). The Poll Interval Rate is selectable by the administrator. A specific unit can
be assigned a Poll Interval Rate to match its time and data update requirements.

1.6 Can the driver use TrAVL for route guidance?
No. The mapping application is intended to be used by a supervisor or dispatcher to track vehicles
and better manage their mobile fleet. The TrAVL application does not provide routes, travel time
or automated guidance for the user or driver.

1.7 How accurate is the AVL location?
The TrAVL product and mapping reflect the standard accuracy of data provided by non-WAAS
(Wide Area Augmentation System) GPS receivers – typically estimated at within 10 meters (32.8
feet).

2 SUBSCRIBER RADIO

2.1 How many vehicle input/output terminations are available?
At this time TrAVL does not support any external input/output terminations.

2.2 How do I know if my radio is getting a good GPS signal?
The GPS receiver currently included in the AVL package has an indicator on the side of the disc
which flashes when the receiver has acquired a signal. Additionally, a PRAM and terminal program
may be used to check the status of the RIM, including GPS acquisition and data channel
communications status.

2.3 Can I use a non-voice radio for data communications?
Yes, you can. The Motorola CDM1550LS data-only mobile is an excellent subscriber device for
data-only applications like remote site SCADA communications, or for tracking vehicles that don’t
require voice communications.

2.4 How do I program the RIM/RAM Module?
The RIM is programmed using a terminal program and a null-modem cable called a PRAM, model
number RRDN6993A. Once the RIM is programmed, the RAM is used in place of the PRAM for
connection to the mobile radio. For additional detail, please review the RIM/RAM/PRAM Data
Module Instruction Manual, part number 600-513.

2.5 How do I assure that my mobile radio is Trident data capable?
Trunking radios must have firmware R08.02.02 provided by Motorola to support Trident Data.
CDM1550•LS units with current firmware versions R06.02.16 or earlier, may not be able to
accept the flash. The no-charge mobile option QA00721 will provide the data communications
capability.

2.6 Can I use non-Motorola radios on TrAVL?
Yes, you can. However each Conventional mobile must be capable of handling 2400-baud MSK
(Minimum Shift Keying) data and have a suitable interface for the Trident RIM module.
PassPort Trunking radios must be similarly provisioned to support the TrAVL data functionality.
Each mobile data device interfaced to the radio has a DSID (Data Site ID) / UID (Unit ID) which if
used on a PassPort radio would match that radios HSID / MIN.

2.7 Can I track the location of portable radios?
Not at this time.

2.8 Can I have an I/O generate a data poll?
No. Data is only transmitted when polled by the data channel. TrAVL® does not support Report
By Exception (RBE) reporting.

2.9 What type of vehicle status indicators can be included with the polled data?
At this time, TrAVL does not support any vehicle status indicators.

3 SYSTEM ISSUES

3.1 If a mobile leaves the radio coverage area what happens? How is the vehicle location recorded when the vehicle is out of range?
When a TrAVL equipped mobile leaves the radio system coverage, the channel will continue to poll
the unit if it is still registered (i.e. the unit simply went out of range). When the Missed Poll
Threshold set in the subscribers MIN record is reached, “out of range” messages will be sent to
the server and the unit will be shown out of range. The Unit’s location on the TrAVL map will
remain at the last successful polled location. When the unit returns to coverage, re-registers onto
the Trunked network and begins responding to polls, the map display will be updated
appropriately. GPS locations when outside the radio coverage are not recorded or stored for
retrieval.

3.2 What happens if my vehicle loses the GPS signal?
When that unit is selected, a notification is shown below the map that the current GPS position is
invalid, although the map will still show the unit to be in range.

3.3 How do I manually poll a vehicle?
The subscribers cannot be manually polled. With the polling rates available this is generally not
necessary. Selecting a unit on the list will center the map on that unit and show the last time the
unit was updated.

3.4 Does the system provide notification if the driver disconnects the GPS cable?
When this type of unit is polled a notification is shown below the map that the current GPS
position is invalid. The display will show the vehicle in its last reported location with time stamp
on its last update.

3.5 How reliable is the Trident hosting service? Who do I call if I have trouble connecting?
Trident has redundant computer servers with backup power available at their host site. If you are
having trouble with your radio system please call Trident Technical Support at 1-800-798-7881.

3.6 Can I post the TrAVL® web page on my Company’s internet or web page?
Yes, however each user will require a password to access the site.

3.7 Can I utilize my existing or third party status input devices?
Not at this time.

4 MAPPING APPLICATION

4.1 Can I mark a site with a time stamp and location that will be sent at the next poll? For example, marking the point and time of a completed delivery, while the truck continues to move.
Not at this time.

4.2 How can I modify the vehicle icons on the TrAVL map screen?
There is a selection of icons to choose from when the customer is set up on the server. They are
standard 16 x16 icons so customer specific icons may also be added.

4.3 Will my 4.0 Enhanced Emergency Declaration show up on the TrAVL map?
Not at this time.

4.4 How can I interface Trident data to my own mapping software?
The Raw Data Option, part number RRDN6965A provides raw GPS data output from the Trident
host server back to the Customer for their application interface. As an alternative, the Customer
Host TrAVL Software Application, part number RRDN6963A, may be used to feed another
application (or another server) with raw data via XML over Sockets.

4.5 How can I interface Trident data to my own vehicle management application?
Yes, using the method described in Question 4.4 above.

4.6 Do I have to get a North America map when all I really care about is my county?
Trident provides one mapping application for TrAVL® that covers Canada and the United States.
The mapping application will only display the vehicles within the associated radio system coverage
– so it will only show the territory that is covered by your radio system.

4.7 Do I need a subscription service (QSP) to maintain the version and map
updates for a private customer hosted TrAVL software application?
It is recommended that all TrAVL customers maintain QSP Subscription for all products.

4.8 How and how often will the maps be updated with new information?
Trident will provide mapping updates as they become available.

4.9 How far back can I generate a history report on TrAVL?
Users of the Web Access service will be able to retrieve and download the last 90 days of location
data. It is recommended that users save these history files on a secure and reliable medium.
Customer Server application users are also encouraged to routinely retrieve and save the history
files.

4.10 Can I download the Trident history for my fleet on a regular basis and save
the data on my hard drive?
Yes you can. The TrAVL server will allow users to download their fleet history files.

4.11 Is there any limitation as to how many times I dial into Trident for the Web Access?
No. The Trident computer host server is designed to provide full feature access and capability for
all customers.

4.12 How can I add a job specific location to my TrAVL map?
The user can add unique locations or addresses to the TrAVL map by using the Landmark Label
function under the Address window, or transfer a GPX or GPS Exchange format file onto the
TrAVL map display by clicking on the Upload Landmarks button. A user of the Web Access server
can do this as well.

4.13 Can my organization have different password levels for employees we only
want to provide vehicle tracking and not messaging capability?
Yes. At the present, we offer two (2) levels.

4.14 How do I change the vehicle description data on the TrAVL® web page?
The vehicle identification description is created and can be modified by the “Super User” or
System Administrator.