Transportation providers have utilized two-way radios since the early days of business radio communications. Before the advent of cellular phones, there were no practical alternatives for reliable, real-time communication. Because transportation companies are inherently mobile—constantly moving people or goods—they require an effective means to stay in contact with their vehicles at all times.
Many small transportation operators rely on cellular phones to communicate with their vehicles. While this method is generally adequate for managing a small fleet of up to five vehicles, significant challenges emerge as the fleet size increases. The complications associated with cellular phone dispatch multiply rapidly, eventually rendering the system inefficient and overwhelming for office staff. At this point, switching to a two-way radio system becomes essential. Moreover, in some sectors of the transportation industry, cellular communication may be prohibited or impractical due to factors such as challenging terrain, insufficient network coverage, or network unavailability during emergencies. These limitations further underscore the necessity of adopting more robust communication solutions as fleet operations expand.
Using a cellular phone is not a good solution to the issues presented by the transportation industry because of the following:
- State law prohibits the use of handheld electronic devices while driving which include cellular telephones unless connected to a Bluetooth or other hands free device. Hands free devices do not work well in environments that have background noise like in the cab of a truck, bus or other large vehicle.
- Kenwood white paper regarding new law affecting mobile device use by commercial drivers does not affect two-way radio.
- The initial cost of smart phones is high and the reliability is low
- Cellular phones often need to be rebooted
- Missed calls end up going to voice mail which significantly delays message throughput
- Cellular phones almost always fail during a major emergency
- Cellular systems become instantly overloaded during a major emergency
- It takes too long to dial, wait for the phone to ring and receive an answer compared to Push-To-Talk with two-way radio.
- Only 2-3 people can discuss an issue at the same time with cellular. With two-way radio, any size group of people can be part of the same conversation
- The time it takes to recall a phone number, dial, allow the phone to ring awaiting an answer takes too long, especially when a situation arises that needs an immediate solution
Two-way radios empower company management by restoring direct control over business operations. Transportation providers often encounter significant challenges in managing dissatisfied customers. With two-way radios, assistance can be dispatched to customers promptly, while simultaneously providing them with real-time updates regarding personnel or package arrival. This immediate communication helps defuse tense situations and maintain order, even under difficult circumstances. Transportation staff have identified several persistent issues that our Diga-Talk Network radios effectively resolve, including:
- Being able to coordinate (overload work) with other transportation operators that are also on our Diga-Talk network
- One button PTT group communications with many talk groups
- Quickly reroute or respond to weather or traffic changes
- Use of a California compliant electronic device eliminates liability
- Use of a two-way radio eliminates the distraction of non-compliant device
- Reduces potential liability and insurance costs by creating a pro legal work environment that will stand up to scrutiny in a traffic accident or when receiving a traffic ticket.
- Being able to have a group conversation is equivalent to having a in person office meeting with all of their drivers
- Having the ability to conduct a private call with any of the company personnel allows discussion of sensitive issues
- GPS tracking allows better utilization of resources, knowing where the vehicles are located, keeping drivers honest and on time
Two-way radios offer substantial advantages to transportation operators beyond simply addressing customer concerns. By enabling effective communication, radios enhance operational efficiency, leading to reduced operating costs and increased profitability. According to a government study conducted several years ago, three vehicles equipped with radios can accomplish the same amount of work as four vehicles without radios. This translates to a 25% reduction in costs and a 33% boost in efficiency.
Our Digi-Talk network is the premier choice for dependable wide-area communications throughout Southern California. With more sites, more frequencies, and greater coverage than any other provider, we ensure seamless connectivity wherever you need it. For example, office managers can conveniently take their radios home to maintain communication with field personnel—something that is simple and effective with Digi-Talk, but often challenging or even impossible with competing vendors.
Click here to view an interactive presentation on Communications Solutions for Transportation. There are many interactive features in the presentation by clicking on the arrows.
Try our Diga-Talk radios with the following great features:
- Loud and clear quality audio that can be heard under loud noise conditions with Kenwood’s noise reduction technology
- Quick access to your personnel – connection time is typically 1.0 second or less
- GPS tracking can tell you where your crew are located
- Eliminate the distraction and illegal use of cellular while driving
- The liability associated with a driver getting into an accident while using a cellular device can cost a company far in excess the cost of a two-way radio system
Remember the 3 rules of making money in real estate, Location, Location and Location. The 3 Cs of radio communications are Coverage, Coverage and more Coverage. Our customers demand coverage. Every transportation provider has their own need for coverage which is never exactly the same as another provider. By providing more coverage in Southern California than any other radio company, we can provide solutions when the others can’t do it. By using the Diga-Talk Network, we can provide our operation with the coverage you need and the coverage for your key personnel to use at home. Read more…
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