Setup

Setup consists or placing an order through the telematics company’s add-in ordering process such as Geotab Order Now. If you are not using one of the integrated telematics platforms, contact us for assistance.

Before installing the add-in, we recommend two steps.

1. Create a group with all assets that will be using the add-in. It may be some or all of your assets. You only pay for the assets that are used in the add-in.

Example: “Weather Assets:

2. Update all the user emails and mobile phone numbers that may be part of alert notification distribution. This saves time later.

Navigate to the Marketplace menu in Geotab. Follow the steps in Order Now to install the weather service to your account. If you do not see a Marketplace left menu, contact your Geotab reseller.

Once installed, in Geotab, click Add-In in the left menu and look for a weather menu. The Map and Notifications will be the primary menus used.

Geotab Native Maps

Weather Alerts

1. Navigate to the Geotab main or native map.
2. Select the CrewChief Weather tab
3.  Select the desired alerts to display
4. Click an alert on the map
5. Review the alert details in the side panel
6. View Geotab assets in relation to alerts
7. Take action to improve safety and efficiency.

Note: On the right of the native Geotab map, alert options are available from various services such as the National Weather Service.  Weather layers such as radar and driving conditions are not visible on Geotab’s map. Geotab does not allow overlays, just icons, on their map. The CrewChief Critical Weather map provides full features and functionality.

Click to enlarge map.

Add-In Weather Map

Map Controls

There are three map controls found on the top right of the add-in weather map. The top icon enables the weather layers options, the second provides a visual scale for the filters selected, and the third shows or hides alerts on the map.

Displaying Weather Layers

1. On the Critical Weather map, select the top right icon.
2. Check the box “Show on Map” on the top left.
3. Select the weather layers from the Curren tor Forecast list. 
4. Click save.
5. To hide all, uncheck “Show on Map”

Displaying Weather Key

1. On the Critical Weather map, select the second icon

Weather Alert Details

1. Click the icon of interst
2. To show or hide weather alert icons, select the 3rd icon from the top.

Weather Notifications

Alerts & Notifications

Weather alerts are regional and provided by multiple government agencies; primarily the National Weather Service. The alerts are intended to be general warnings and should be used with other data to make safety decisions. Alerts, generate Notifications. Alerts or lack of alerts, are not guaranteed to be accurate and may be delayed for various reasons.

Note: Notifications are automatically enabled for the CrewChief mobile app which can also be installed through the marketplace. Notifications to the mobile app are only available when you have both the Critical Weather Service and the CrewChief Mobile App service. They are two separate services.

Notifications from the Critical Weather Service are based on the driver already being in the area (polygon) when an alert is received. Alerts received prior to the driver being in the area will not trigger a notification until another alert is received and the driver is already present. 

Select Weather Alert from the drop list. The other options are for the CrewChief mobile app.

Click to Enlarge

1. Select the weather subtype
2. If using SMS or email, enter a message
3. Select the delivery method
4. Test the notification and learn how alerts work
5. Set the distance between the driver and the alert region
6. If using the Voice alert to call the driver
   1. Default – system will read subject line from the alert details.
      1. Example: Tornado Watch issued March 6 at 3:17PM CST until March 6 at 10:00PM CST by NWS Des Moines IA
   2. Upload a custom audio file to send to the driver.
      1. Example: Weather warning. Tornado in your area. Seek shelter and call dispatch for instructions.

Click to Enlarge

Weather Layers

Weather data is derived from many sources. Some data is the accumulation of multiple sensors and data sources which is then interpreted based on large historical data sets. The data available varies widely between countries. In areas with low sensor data, satellite data can be used to project the weather. Weather one element of keeping workers and drivers safe but as we see on TV daily, accuracy is a percentage calculation.

Current Weather

The web portal enables dispatchers to see vehicles in relation to current and predicted weather. Advanced weather data identifies hazardous driving conditions, such as high winds, that might turn over a tractor trailer. Snow fall accumulation data can identify areas likely to have significant traffic issues resulting in missed delivery times and an increased probability of an accident.

Forecast Weather

Forecast weather is a game changer for fleet safety and time management. With HOS required limits to driving hours and rest periods, it is critical to profitability to avoid extensive weather delays.

Read Weather Layer Definitions

Attentive dispatchers can monitor vehicle travel and contact drivers to avoid upcoming areas likely to impacted by weather. Weather layers range from snow, wind, tornado, hurricanes, tropical storms, wind chill, blizzards and thunderstorms.

Jobs planned can be adjusted to reflect weather conditions. Delivering concrete in a tropical storm, setting up a crane in high winds, or removing a roof the day before heavy rain, are examples of how good weather data can improve operational efficiency.

Troubleshooting

 If weather does not appear on the map, follow these steps.

1. Ensure the “Show on Map” check box in the top left is selected on the weather layers selection panel.
2. Confirm the Show/Hide alert map icon is not selected (upper right section of map)
3. Check the internet connection.
4. Refresh the browser.
5. Confirm the service is active in your fleet management account.
6. Test in another browser and on a computer that is not on the same network.
7. Contact your reseller or CrewChief through this website.