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Epoke have various patents pending on the Epoke EpoSat system which enables the spreaders to be controlled automatically from satellites via GPS positioning. We believe that the EpoSat system will make a significant improvement in the overall efficiency and safety of winter gritting operations. Please note GPS Controlled spreading is completely different to GPS Data logging or Tracking but we can also supply this if required
With the EpoSat system:-
- The route is always spread exactly to the programmed settings so the route is treated correctly every time, at every stage, to help produce safe, ice free roads.
- Correct spreading is no longer dependant on the operator remembering when changes are required. The spreader automatically and simultaneously makes any changes to the correct spread rate and spread widths according to the GPS co-ordinates of the route so the driver no longer needs to manually change settings and so can give his full concentration to driving. Without EpoSat, when more than one setting change is required, it is not be possible to do this simultaneously, and so the road would not be treated correctly.
- The system has ‘in-built intelligence’ to anticipate changes of settings, according to the speed being driven. This gives an accuracy within +/- 5m. This is much more accurate than can be consistently achieved manually, i.e. as if you are traveling at 50km/hr (approx. 31mph) you would be traveling at approx. 14m per second. If the operator is even just one second out then 14m are treated ‘incorrectly’. Also, the driver cannot allow for the mechanical reaction time of the spreader which, even if it is just a ½ second reaction time would add another 7m’s of ‘error’.
- If spreader goes ‘off route’ a warning is given and the spreader continues operating at its last setting. While ‘off route’ the driver can have full manual control to change the settings if required. If the driver returns to the route the spreader automatically reverts to the pre-set programmed settings.
- This system has in-built vector analysis so it can sense which direction within a route it is traveling and so selects the correct setting programmed for that direction of travel. i.e. after completing a spreading run the driver may need to return along a section of road which he has already treated to get back to the depot. The spreader ‘knows’ this and so does not spread on the return section. However, if the machine were to be on an untreated part of the route which shares the same GPS co-ordinates as a part of the route which had already been treated (e.g. crossing over a treated road on an untreated bridge) the spreader ‘knows’ this and treats the bridge, as required.
- The software allows you to correct minor errors made in the recording without the need to re-drive the whole route.
- Only one version of the software would probably be required per county.
- It is possible to store up to 10 pre-set routes for each spreader.
- It is possible to select up to 8 different spread rates for each route.
- EpoSat is also equipped with route navigation which means that the driver will not even need to know the route as he will be directed around the route by the system. This may then give you a larger pool of drivers to call upon.
- As the driver is not required to know where to turn the spreaders on and off in such detail it means it would be possible to use drivers with a lower level of training and so make more drivers available for the gritting operation.
- As the driver does not need to concentrate on changing settings it may be possible for the driver to drive slightly faster and so complete the route in a shorter time which could have savings in drivers’ hours and also reduce inconvenience caused to other road users when spreading.
The EpoSat system is now well proven in operation. There are now over 200 units in use throughout the world in countries including Denmark, Germany, Canada, Iceland, Austria, Holland, Switzerland, Iceland, Czech Republic, Spain, Norway, Sweden and the UK.
Perhaps more significantly for the UK market there are now over 30 units in use in the UK
and Lincolnshire have been using this system since they conducted their initial trails in 2005
and Northumberland County Council now operate 17 units which they started using in
2006/2007. Lincolnshire found that even ignoring the added safety and operational
benefits of the system they believe they will actually pay for the system with salt savings
alone within two to three years because the route is now being treated exactly as it should
be every time.
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