Barnsley firm on track with new vehicle emissions tracking device

A Barnsley-based company is set to launch a new tracking device that monitors vehicle emissions and fuel consumption on the go.

YouTrack currently manufactures a product that can track a vehicle’s position using GPS and mobile phone signals. The new version of YouTrack Fleet will connect to the vehicle’s diagnostics to show information like the carbon dioxide emissions, fuel consumption and driver behaviour.

Enterprising Barnsley is providing business support to YouTrack, which has clients including Newcastle Airport, local authorities, construction companies and security firms.

Although software developers at YouTrack are still testing the new system, it is expected to be launched in the New Year.

Ian Asquith, who set up YouTrack at its base in Mapplewell, said: “We’ve been listening to what our clients need and we know for example that many fleet managers are having to report on carbon dioxide emissions.

“Others want to know how their staff are driving, in terms of safety and fuel efficiency. It might be that some staff are braking very harshly or breaking the speed limit for example.

“Our new version of YouTrack Fleet will be able to create simple reports that can feed those sort of statistics back to fleet managers, so they can make sure their staff drive more safely and more efficiently.

“This is all about keeping commercial drivers and our roads safer and helping businesses save money.”

The tracking units can be fitted to cars, vans or lorries, with the information monitored by a computer or smartphone.

In addition, the new system will be able to benchmark driving style against an accepted level, with drivers warned by a traffic light system in the cab if they are not up to standard.

YouTrack has been given business support by Enterprising Barnsley, which is run by Barnsley Council. The support has included help in developing their marketing strategy.

Angela Pedley of Enterprising Barnsley, said: “It’s great to see such innovative use of technology and to know that YouTrack are on the right track to being a big success story here in Barnsley.”

Enterprising Barnsley is supported financially by the European Union and has attracted £3,015,276 investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development, through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme.

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