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Location-Based Services, GPS, MRM, AVL, Vehicle Navigation, Telematics, Fleet Tracking, Mobile Resource Management
U.S. Fleet AVL Market Study February 2003  
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Overview

C.J. Driscoll & Associates has released a comprehensive new study on the U.S. market for automatic vehicle location (AVL) systems for fleet vehicles. This study assesses the size of the fleet market, current AVL penetration levels and prospects for growth. The report analyzes the potential impact of broadband wireless data networks, GPS-equipped phones and Homeland Security initiatives on the U.S. fleet AVL market. Prospects for emerging markets, such as trailer monitoring and asset tracking, are closely examined. Detailed information is provided on over 80 U.S. and Canadian suppliers of fleet vehicle location systems and services, including current installed base and system pricing.

The study was directed by Clement J. Driscoll, a noted industry analyst and partner in Driscoll-Wolfe Marketing & Research Consulting. The research is based on both primary and secondary methodologies, including over 70 interviews of executives of leading AVL suppliers and wireless network operators servicing the AVL industry. 

The 179-page report provides current statistical data on the overall size of the U.S. fleet market and major fleet categories, obtained from a wide range of government and industry sources. Use of vehicle location in individual fleet segments is assessed. Current and projected market trends are analyzed, including factors that will impact market growth in the future.

The study examines AVL market growth over the past several years and projects growth through 2006. It also assesses new wireless networks used for AVL and the impact of carrier plans to phase out service on other networks. In addition, the study reports the specific fleet segments targeted by major AVL suppliers, as well as their current installed base and pricing.

Study Provides Answers to Key Questions

The following are among the questions answered by this study:
  • How large is the potential fleet AVL market and each of the major fleet categories?
  • Who are the largest government and commercial fleet operators? How large are their fleets?
  • Which fleet market segments are using AVL extensively? 
  • At what rate has the U.S. AVL market grown in the last several years? At what rate will the market grow in the future?
  • What are the principal factors impacting AVL market growth?
  • What Homeland Security initiatives have government agencies and commercial organizations undertaken that may impact demand for vehicle location systems?
  • What are the emerging AVL-related applications?
  •  Which are the principal wireless communication networks used for AVL? Which new wireless networks are emerging and which are being phased out?
  • What is each wireless network’s estimated share of the AVL market?
  •  Who are the principal suppliers of AVL equipment and service for each major market segment?
 What fleet categories and applications do they target?
 Which suppliers provide both AVL systems and services?
 Which suppliers provide web-based tracking?
 What wireless communication networks do they support? 
 Approximately how many units has each supplier installed?
 What is the approximate price of their system and services?

The report includes numerous charts and summary tables to facilitate review. 

Study Highlights

The following are among the key findings of the study:
  • Over one million U.S. fleet vehicles are currently equipped with GPS-based vehicle location systems. These systems are most extensively used in the long haul trucking and public transit segments, in which 30% - 50% of fleet vehicles are equipped with AVL systems.
  • The number of local commercial fleet vehicles equipped with AVL has more than doubled over the past three years due to the decline in AVL equipment prices, increased availability of reliable wireless communication networks with broad coverage, new entrants into the AVL market with strong products and distribution and other factors.
  • With an estimated 150 - 200 suppliers of AVL systems, hardware components and software in the U.S. and Canada, the AVL industry is highly fragmented. It is likely that industry consolidation will occur among companies with complementary products and capabilities.
  • The range of available AVL system configurations has grown from basic, low cost tracking systems to integrated fleet management systems, in which AVL is simply a component. In the future, the increased use of GPS-equipped cellular phones will reduce opportunities for AVL equipment sales, while increasing the need for fleet monitoring and reporting services. 
  • Distribution is a key to success in the AVL market, but is a problem area for many suppliers. Most AVL companies selling to the fleet market are faced with the trade-off of hiring a large sales force or depending on distributors and resellers, which have often proven ineffective. Establishing effective nationwide distribution, while keeping distribution costs in line, is the greatest challenge facing many AVL companies.

Detailed Report

The 179-page report of the research findings includes the following:
  • Overview of the study, including objectives and methodology
  • Market status, trends and issues
  • Homeland Security initiatives
  • Projected AVL market growth through 2006
  • Description of terrestrial and satellite networks used for AVL, along with the estimated AVL subscriber base for each wireless network
  • Market size statistics for approximately 25 fleet categories
  • Principal trade associations and publications for each major fleet segment
  • Fleet AVL suppliers section (over 100 pages)
  • Fleet AVL suppliers to the Truckload and Private Fleet Markets
  • Trailer Monitoring System Suppliers
  • AVL Suppliers to Public Transit Fleets
  • AVL Suppliers to Public Safety Fleets
  • Suppliers of AVL Equipment and Service for Local Fleets (more than 10,000 units in service)
  • Suppliers of AVL Equipment and Service for Local Fleets (fewer than 10,000 units in service)
  •  Suppliers of AVL Systems for Local Fleets (not service providers)
  • AVL Suppliers for Government or Military Applications
  • Asset Tracking System/Service Providers
  • AVL In-Vehicle Equipment Suppliers
  • AVL Software Suppliers

Subscribers receive a paper (bound) copy of the report as well as an electronic copy of the report on CD.

C.J. Driscoll & Associates and Driscoll-Wolfe

C.J. Driscoll & Associates, founded in 1993, provides marketing consulting services in fleet vehicle location, navigation systems, consumer telematics and other location-based applications. Consulting services include business plan and strategic development, due diligence assessments, market studies, public relations support and competitive assessments. Clients include wireless carriers, automotive companies, electronics manufacturers, software companies and other technology providers.

C.J. Driscoll & Associates affiliate, Driscoll-Wolfe Marketing & Research Consulting, conducts custom and multi-client marketing research studies in fleet vehicle location, consumer telematics and related fields. Driscoll-Wolfe has conducted five multi-client studies on U.S. consumer interest in location-based services, which have been sponsored by companies such as AT&T Wireless, ATX Technologies, BMW, General Motors OnStar, LoJack, Microsoft, Motorola, QUALCOMM, Sprint PCS, Toyota and others. Recent Driscoll-Wolfe studies include the Survey of Telematics System Owners and Users, which provides projectable data on interest of GM OnStar and Mercedes TeleAid system owners in telematic services, and the 2002 Wireless Location-Based Services Study, which provides in-depth data on U.S. consumer interest on telematics and other location-based services.

Author of the Study 

Clement Driscoll is a principal in C.J. Driscoll & Associates and a senior partner in Driscoll-Wolfe Marketing & Research Consulting. He has over twenty years of experience in the fields of wireless location, navigation, and telematics. Mr. Driscoll directed the marketing of Teletrac’s fleet vehicle location service and Magnavox’s line of GPS navigation and satellite communication products. In 1994, as an industry consultant, he authored the Survey of Location Systems to Support Mobile 911, which was sponsored by the State of California and APCO and used by the FCC as a basis for the wireless E911 rulemaking (Docket 94-102). He also served as industry consultant on telematics to the Automobile Association of America.

Clem Driscoll is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has a Masters Degree in Business Administration from St. John’s University. He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of GPS World magazine and serves on Advisory Boards of leading industry suppliers. He has written numerous articles on location-based technologies and applications for leading industry publications including GPS World, RCR, Automotive Fleet, Auto Rental News and 9-1-1 Magazine.