Strengthening Logistics Safety Management with Location Information: Toward Zero Accidents with Real-Time Tracking

Table of Contents

• Current Status and Challenges of Safety Management in Logistics

• Benefits of Safety Management Utilizing Location Information

• Accident Prevention Measures through Real-Time Tracking

• Key Points for Implementing a Safety Management System

• Initiatives Toward Zero Accidents and the Future

• Simple Surveying with LRTK

• FAQ

Current Status and Challenges of Safety Management in Logistics

For the logistics industry, "safety management" is the most important issue that can determine a company's survival. Accidents during truck transportation not only threaten the lives of drivers and pedestrians, but also cause cargo damage and delays, as well as economic losses due to loss of trust. For this reason, many logistics companies have been working to strengthen safety measures under the slogan "zero accidents." However, on the ground, there are signs that the limits of personalized safety guidance that relies on long-cultivated experience and intuition are becoming apparent. In fact, in 2021 more than 500 fatal accidents nationwide involved commercial trucks as the primary party, indicating that thorough safety management remains a significant challenge.

In recent years, chronic driver shortages and tighter work-hour regulations under work style reform–related laws (the so-called "2024 problem") have forced a reevaluation of traditional safety management systems. While the number of novice and inexperienced drivers is increasing, veteran managers have limited time for one-on-one instruction and ride-alongs. Moreover, guidance centered on exhortations such as "drive more carefully" often fails to lead to concrete improvements and can provoke resistance or become perfunctory in the field. To truly approach zero accidents under these circumstances, it is essential to utilize new technologies and implement objective safety management based on data. Also, as the Motor Truck Transportation Business Act explicitly states that "ensuring the safety of transportation" is an operator's obligation, neglecting safety management can directly lead to administrative penalties and loss of credibility.

Benefits of Safety Management Utilizing Location Information

With the development of GPS and communication technologies, environments that allow real-time grasping and sharing of vehicle "location information" have been established. By using this location information for safety management in logistics, many benefits can be obtained. The main benefits are summarized below.

• Strengthened accident prevention: By constantly monitoring vehicle position and movement status, dangerous behaviors and unexpected route deviations can be detected instantly. For example, if points with frequent speeding or sudden braking are identified, managers can provide timely warnings to drivers. Real-time tracking and monitoring can intervene at the "near-miss" stage and prevent accidents before they occur.

• Immediate response in emergencies: If an accident or emergency occurs, real-time location information enables rapid response. Emergency contacts that used to rely on driver phone reports become unnecessary when current location is automatically notified. Alerts can be sent automatically to managers if a vehicle has been stopped for a long time or an airbag deploys, allowing rescue or first-aid arrangements to be made to the correct location immediately after an accident. Speeding up initial response directly helps prevent the expansion of damage.

• Improved safety awareness: For drivers, the awareness that their driving is constantly being monitored can motivate safer driving. If operational record data are used to provide drivers with safety driving scores or reports, each person can identify improvement points based on objective evaluation. Although the feeling of being "watched" may create resistance at first, if properly operated it can increase drivers' professionalism and safety mindset.

• Operational efficiency and service improvement: Real-time location awareness contributes not only to safety but also to operational efficiency. Dispatchers who know the current location of vehicles can more easily arrange alternatives in case of delays or guide vehicles to optimal routes. If risks from congestion or bad weather are detected in advance and route changes are instructed, unsafe operations can be avoided while meeting delivery deadlines. Being able to give customers immediate answers about delivery status also improves service quality. Furthermore, strict safe driving that reduces sudden acceleration and detours lowers fuel consumption, contributing to reduced environmental impact and cost savings. Safety and efficiency are not mutually exclusive; location information enables both.

Accident Prevention Measures through Real-Time Tracking

What specific accident prevention measures can be realized by introducing a real-time tracking system? Here we introduce the main safety functions that utilize location information and data from various sensors.

1. Detection of dangerous driving and alerts: By combining telematics and in-vehicle devices with AI, dangerous driving such as rapid acceleration/deceleration, speeding, and sharp steering can be detected in real time. When an abnormality occurs in the operation management system, an immediate warning sound or voice alert can be given to the driver, and notifications can be sent to managers. For example, if the system is set to automatically issue a warning when the highway speed greatly exceeds the regulated limit, it is possible to reduce the occurrences of risky situations.

2. Area management with geofencing: A "geofence" function that monitors vehicle entry and exit based on predefined areas is also useful for accident prevention. If you set caution zones around hazardous material warehouses or school routes, the system can issue warnings when a vehicle approaches or enters those zones. It also functions to detect deviations from delivery routes and prevent wandering or unauthorized detours. Geofencing automatically exposes rule-breaking operations, stopping high-risk behavior at the border.

3. Emergency reporting and response support: If a vehicle detects an abnormal impact or an airbag deploys—data that suggest an accident—the system automatically makes an emergency report. The operation manager can see the real-time location and status of the vehicle and smoothly make contacts with emergency services or request assistance from nearby drivers as needed. When a driver is injured and cannot communicate, location information becomes indispensable, reducing the risk of isolation. These functions allow the company to organize initial response procedures immediately after an accident.

4. Data accumulation and PDCA for safety measures: Operation data collected by real-time tracking systems form the basis for long-term safety measures. For example, by accumulating GPS coordinates of sudden-braking points that led to near-misses, you can create and share a "near-miss map" internally. This allows identification of frequent deceleration causes in specific areas (such as intersections with poor sightlines) and dissemination of those locations as caution points to drivers. Analyzing each driver's driving tendency data also helps enrich safety training materials and provide individualized instruction to high-risk drivers. By running PDCA cycles based on data, the safety management system will be continuously improved.

Key Points for Implementing a Safety Management System

Simply introducing a system is not enough to successfully implement safety management using location information. Below are implementation points to ensure tangible effects in the field.

• Select tools that suit your company: Real-time tracking systems vary widely, from GPS fleet management systems to AI-integrated dashcam services. Choose the optimal setup according to your fleet size, business content, and budget. For example, whether you just need to "grasp location information" or want to "analyze driver dashcam footage and vehicle sensor data" will change the system you should adopt. Identify required functions and consider future expandability when choosing.

• Inform and train drivers: When introducing the system, carefully explain its purpose and how to use it to drivers. If it suddenly appears to strengthen internal monitoring, it can provoke resistance in the field. Emphasize positive aspects such as that the system is "to protect drivers, not to punish them," and that data will be used to evaluate and commend safe driving. Also, provide training on how to operate devices and how to respond when alerts are received so that operations start smoothly without confusion.

• Establish clear operational rules: The handling of data obtained from the tracking system should be defined as company policy. For example, define "the internal process when dangerous driving is detected (verbal warning, retraining, etc.)," "the retention period for collected location data and privacy protections," and "monitoring arrangements during nights and holidays." Clear rules in advance allow managers and field staff to respond quickly and without hesitation, and ensure fairness and objectivity if trouble occurs.

• Continuous follow-up and improvement: Implementation is not the end; continuous improvement activities using data are the key to zero accidents. Regularly hold safety driving rankings or award systems to boost motivation, and set seasonal safety training themes based on issues revealed by accumulated data to embed the system into workplace culture. Keep an eye on new features and system improvements and maintain a stance of adopting the latest technology. By continuously improving while incorporating field feedback, you can maximize the effects of the system.

Initiatives Toward Zero Accidents and the Future

The goal of "zero accidents through real-time tracking" cannot be achieved overnight, but it is certainly possible to move steadily toward realization. In fact, advanced logistics companies have begun reporting large reductions in accident numbers by leveraging AI and location information for safety management. One company reported that after introducing connected dashcams and a fleet management system across all vehicles, the number of serious accidents was halved compared to before implementation. Considering that preventing a single accident can avoid losses on the order of several million yen, the return on investment (ROI) for system introduction is extremely high.

Going forward, safety management in the logistics industry will become increasingly digital. With IoT and AI evolution, not only vehicles but also cargo and worker movements will be visualized in real time, leading to comprehensive risk management in "smart logistics safety management." As safety data standardization progresses, systems for industry-wide sharing of near-miss information and mutual learning can also be expected. In addition, in the auto insurance field, "telematics insurance" that calculates premiums based on safe driving data is spreading. Companies that strive for safe driving and reduce accidents will see reduced insurance burdens, which will further promote investment in safety management from a business perspective. While keeping that future in view, it is important first to reliably reduce the immediate safety risks.

Zero disasters (no accidents) are an ideal goal, but what matters is the continuous attitude of "aiming for zero" and constantly improving safety management. The introduction of real-time tracking systems is a powerful tool for that purpose. By combining technology with human wisdom and fostering a safety culture with drivers and managers united, zero-accident logistics is not an impossible dream. The relentless challenge for safety is directly linked to the sustainable development of the logistics industry. Let’s harness technology and together aim for a future of "zero accidents."

Simple Surveying with LRTK

The use of location information technology is not limited to safety management. For example, high-precision positioning technology using the RTK (real-time kinematic) method is bringing innovation to the field of "surveying" at logistics and construction sites. A representative example is simple surveying using LRTK, which combines compact positioning devices with smartphones.

LRTK is a solution that integrates an ultra-compact RTK-GNSS receiver that can be attached to smart devices, a dedicated app, and cloud services. Traditionally, surveying at centimeter-level accuracy (centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)) required expensive specialized equipment and skilled technicians. However, with LRTK, even people without special knowledge can measure high-precision coordinates with intuitive operations. For example, by attaching an LRTK receiver to a smartphone and walking the site, you can instantly obtain latitude, longitude, and elevation for specified points and record and share the data in the cloud. Since staking and area measurement can be performed by following AR navigation, even non-expert users can accurately complete tasks alone.

Simple surveying with LRTK holds great potential at sites facing labor shortages and needing work streamlining. If surveying tasks that previously required multiple people can be completed by one person, site productivity will improve and interruptions to other work caused by waiting for surveys will be reduced. The ability for anyone to measure immediately when needed also contributes to flexible construction scheduling and safety management. As a digital tool that allows "anyone to measure anywhere," LRTK is changing conventional practices on site. If you are interested, please visit the [LRTK official site](https://www.lrtk.lefixea.com/) for details. Cutting-edge location information technology will strongly support the creation of safe and efficient logistics and construction sites.

FAQ

Q: Will introducing a real-time tracking system really reduce accidents? A: It cannot be guaranteed that accidents will never occur, but many companies have reported large reductions in accident numbers. Real-time tracking enables immediate intervention for dangerous driving and raises driver awareness, which tends to reduce accidents caused by human error. Even if an accident occurs, faster initial response can prevent more severe damage. There are also economic benefits such as discounts on insurance premiums and reductions in vehicle repair and business interruption costs. By accumulating data-driven improvements, getting closer to "zero" is entirely feasible.

Q: Will drivers react negatively, saying they are being "monitored"? A: Some drivers may feel resistance at first. However, if you repeatedly explain that the introduction is solely to protect drivers and ensure safety, and operate the system positively by recognizing and praising good driving, it is often gradually accepted. The important thing is to use collected data for guidance and rewards rather than punishment. In practice, some drivers have been thanked by family members for driving more safely after system introduction, and there are cases where overall safety awareness in the workplace has increased.

Q: Can small- and medium-sized logistics companies also introduce it? A: Yes, real-time tracking systems can be introduced regardless of company size. Recently, relatively low-cost services that combine smartphones and GPS devices have emerged, making it easy to start even with fleets of fewer than 10 vehicles. Government and municipal subsidy programs may also be applicable in some cases. Safety investment has an insurance-like aspect that reduces the risk of large losses from major accidents, so it is worth considering positively regardless of scale.

Q: What is simple surveying with LRTK? A: LRTK is an integrated solution of a compact, high-precision positioning device used with smartphones or tablets and cloud services. Using this, even non-specialists can perform centimeter-level accuracy surveying (centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)). By simply walking the site with an LRTK receiver attached to a smartphone, high-precision position data are automatically acquired and plotted on a map. Tasks that previously required skilled workers, such as staking or as-built measurement, can be accurately performed by anyone using LRTK's AR navigation. In short, simple surveying with LRTK is "a new surveying method that realizes RTK high-precision positioning with easy equipment and operation," and its effectiveness is already being demonstrated at many sites.

Q: What safety management technologies are likely to appear in the future? A: With further advances in AI, comprehensive hazard prediction that includes the vehicle's external environment will become possible. For example, systems that link real-time road conditions, other vehicles' movements, and weather data to forecast risks seconds ahead and issue warnings can be envisioned. The spread of wearable devices that monitor workers' movement lines and health conditions to prevent accidents is also expected. Furthermore, sharing accumulated big data across the industry to improve high-accident locations and inform legal and regulatory improvements is likely to progress. Real-time tracking is the foundational technology for such future smart safety management and is expected to continue advancing. Autonomous driving technology is also seen as a trump card for future accident reduction, but widespread adoption will take time. In the interim, further development and proliferation of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that support drivers will be key. By having AI complement human oversights, accidents caused by human error are expected to steadily decrease.