Airport Commercial Vehicle Management Software

About CVMS

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The foundation of the Commercial Vehicle Management System is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag that is placed on each vehicle or assigned to each driver. The RFID components of the system include the tag itself, an antenna to receive the signal and a reader to accept the tag ID number. Each tag carries a unique identification code that allows the CVM system software to collect information on the activities of that vehicle or driver and to control movements by activating devices such as gates, signs, cameras and monitors.

The highly specialized CVM system software is adapted and customized to conform to your airport’s physical layout, commercial vehicle traffic flows, policies and regulations. The software can maintain information on each vehicle, driver and/or owner for billing and reporting purposes. In addition, the software tracks trip and operational information on each vehicle (or driver), which helps you analyze activity patterns, set rates, identify violations and set new policies or regulations.

One key to the success of the CVM system is its ability to be extremely flexible and to allow configuration to your unique airport layout and needs. Airports are in a constant state of change and the needs that you have today may change significantly in the future. The CVMS hardware and software can be easily changed to meet new requirements.

The entire system can be set up to work at airports in several types of configurations:
The CVMS provides your airport with the opportunity to use new approaches to collecting fees that directly related to the use of your airport’s roadways, loading areas and holding areas. You can accurately and economically charge ground transportation providers based on trips to the airport, the amount of time spent at the airport, time of day, or a combination of these methods. Charging based on actual use of the facility can bring significant increases in airport ground transportation revenues. The fee structure can be used to directly influence how your facilities are used and decrease the amount of enforcement attention needed.

The system also provides for the necessary accounting, accounts receivable, invoicing and revenue control functions that are necessary to implement the fee structure developed by the airport.


Tracking and Dispatch Modules

The software has been developed in modules so that it can be used in two different manners. When tracking and controlling the activities of commercial vehicles such as shuttle busses, courtesy vehicles, Limousines, and Vans it allows the vehicles to enter and leave on their own schedule. It controls their access, records activity, creates charges and performs other system functions as they move about the airport under the established regulations.

The software also has a “Dispatch “ module that is used most frequently with taxicabs. The system creates one or more queues to move cabs from holding areas to pick-up areas in the sequence you establish and under your rules. This mode of operation can be run in an automated mode that supplies a “target” number of cabs or it can be controlled by an operator who can handle special requests and unusual demand levels immediately.


System Components

Hardware
Each system is designed to respond to the specific physical layout of the airport and the objectives of the system. The following list illustrates the type of hardware components normally included in a CVM system.

Computer Components RFID Components Other Hardware Components Software

Several software components can be included in the total system. While the exact configuration and functions in the systems design will establish the actual components the following list represents a typical configuration

CVM Software Major Features

The combination of RFID hardware, computer equipment, lane equipment and software result in a system that will greatly improve your commercial vehicle operation. This section lists the major features of the system that are accessed by the GateKeeper Systems CVMS software.

Administrative & Reporting Function

This segment is the primary user interface and contains the features that handle the following functions:

Licensing and Tag Issuing
The software enables you to create an extensive database of information on each vehicle, company, owner or driver that can be used to maintain insurance files, violation histories, activity levels, payment data or other key information. The following functions are provided for the user to accomplish the daily tasks that are necessary to operate the system.
Revenue Generation
The software uses transaction information to develop appropriate charges, as identified by the airport. The following fee types are provided by the system.

Activity Based Fees Administrative Fees Payments and Accounts Receivable
The software supports two approaches to providing the capability to generate invoices and maintain the necessary Accounts Receivable customer and accounting records.

Data Transfer to existing airport A/R - The software supports the export of the billing information created by the CVM software to the airport centralized invoicing and A/R system. The data may be output to a wide range of file formats.

Stand Alone A/R System - Where the airport desires to establish a separate Accounts Receivable system, GateKeeper Systems will provide “Dynamics” 5.0 accounting software by Great Plains Software. The software is configured for use with networks and uses the same Pervasive SQL database, as the GateKeeper Systems CVMS software.
A significant amount of support materials are provided by Great Plains Software to help the owner maintain basic accounting records needed and yet provide a significant level of revenue control

As part of the installation and implementation process GateKeeper Systems will set up and configure the accounting software to the specifications that are developed as a part of the overall design of the GateKeeper CVM system. Information is gathered covering an extensive list of topics including your accounting system, chart of accounts, existing accounting software, interface requirements, classes of vehicles, customers and billing preferences. This information was then used to develop a specialized chart of accounts; rate structure and customer information formats.
System Administration
Many system features can be modified or changed through the CVMS software by an operator who has the necessary security approvals. Rate tables, size codes, use codes, and other operating parameters can be adjusted to monitor or enhance the flow of vehicles to reduce congestion on the roadways.

Reporting
A set of standard activity reports are generated by the system to provide airport management with the ability to track activity levels and changes in use patterns, set rate formulas and identify violators of policies and regulations.

If your user security level code is authorized to use the reporting feature, you can generate the following types of reports on one vehicle, a company, or the entire operation:
The software also provides for the development, by authorized operators, of specialized reports that could be needed on a one-time basis or for regular scheduled preparation.

In addition to search capabilities for inquiries and reports for regular information and operations needs the system also has the “database views” that are available through programs such as Access that can be used for queries and special analysis.


Operational Control Function

This segment of the software performs the tasks of real-time tracking and controlling of vehicle movements. The system can be configured for use with gated lanes where access and egress is controlled or “open” systems where the free movement of vehicles is allowed and the system monitors that activity. The software will also work in a mixed environment where some lanes are gated and others are open.

The major features of this segment include:

Access Control
Verify the criteria for entrance, egress, and vending (opening or closing) the vehicle gates as required. This also includes a “Remote” gate vend capability that allows the operator to open the gate from a workstation if necessary.

Dispatch Function
Move vehicles from a number of waiting areas to a number of pick-up locations. Accommodates various types of trips- special call, special requests, re-dispatching, short hauls and free trips.

Tag Status
The software maintains the various “status” options for tags. Tags may be Valid or Invalid based on criteria such as non-payment of fees, insurance expiration or other criteria established by the airport. Time Zones and Space Zones may also be created to restrict access by time blocks and by specific locations.

Device Communications
The software also contains functions for maintaining the necessary communications between the signs, video monitors, entry and exit devices, computers and other system components.


System Security Function

There are several components to the security provisions available as part of the CVM system including the basic GateKeeper CVM software security, Windows NT security, and separate security for the Dynamics accounting software. Each component is designed to create the ability to control operator access to viewing data as well as editing capabilities.


If you would like more information or would like to discuss how a Commercial Vehicle Management system would benefit your operation, please contact:

Mr. Lynn Richardson
GateKeeper Systems, Inc.

1301 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 170
Eagan MN 55121

Phone: 651-365-0700
Fax: 651-365-0777
E-Mail: ldr@gksys.com



1301 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 170Eagan MN 55121Phone: 651-365-0700Fax: 651-365-0777