Fleet Management System
Fleet Management System
This research report was presented to the School of Engineering Science and
Technology Department of ICT and Electronics as part of the Bachelor of
Science Honours Degree in Information Technology (BSIT5) requirement.
Chinhoyi University of Technology
This research presents a comprehensive description of a fleet management system which was
designed to optimize operational efficiency and cost effectiveness for the Chinhoyi
University of Technology (CUT) fleet. Real-time vehicle tracking, driver management tools,
maintenance scheduling, fuel management, and extensive reporting/analytics are just a few of
the capabilities offered by the system. Web resources, on-site observations, and interviews
with CUT management and staff were used to gather requirements. Several features of the
system are built and evaluated in brief iterations. Vehicle Records Management, Vehicle
Allocation, Reservation Information, Traffic and Fuel Management, Vehicle Management,
and Report Generation are among the functions available. Following Agile principles, each
iteration includes user feedback, design, coding, testing, and assessment. The Agile
methodology has the advantage over others in that because it allows for continuous
improvement
1.1 Introduction
The practices and methods involved in overseeing a company's fleet are known as fleet
management. Fleet management include the administration of automobiles, trucks, vans, and
additional business-use vehicles. Purchasing, maintaining, managing fuel, managing drivers,
safety and compliance, and purchasing vehicles are just a few of the myriad practices it
addresses (Aquilina, A comprehensive guide to benefits, technology, and implementation,
2016). The primary objective of fleet management is to maximize the utilization of corporate
automobiles to boost productivity, cut expenses, and enhance security. Enhancing production,
decreasing downtime, and prolonging vehicle life are all possible with efficient fleet
management for businesses. Along with lowering accidents and ensuring adherence to rules
and norms, it can also help drivers behave better (Hennigan, 2022). Many businesses employ
fleet management, including construction, delivery services, logistics, and transportation.
Fleet management has become more effective and efficient in recent years because to
advanced technology like telematics and GPS tracking.
Better customer service and the growing requirement for logistics as a result of the e-
commerce industry's expansion are two of the reasons propelling the Asia-Pacific auto fleet
management market. E-commerce businesses, warehouses, and supply chain companies are
all greatly aided by the logistics sector. The logistics business has been profoundly affected
by the growth of e-commerce (Burnson, 2012). The growing need for commercial vehicles,
which in turn raises the need for fleet management solutions and software, presents
opportunities for the Asia-Pacific area fleet management market (Allied Market Research,
2020). Nonetheless, certain problems like inadequate routing and decreased connection
efficiency must be resolved. Numerous parameters are used to segment the market, giving
businesses important information for making strategic decisions and identifying the most
important applications in the industry.
To sum it up, fuel economy and environmental sustainability have long been the main drivers
of fleet management in Europe. In order to assist companies in meeting stringent emission
regulations and lowering their carbon footprint, fleet management systems have been
All this leads to uncovering certain variables, some of the variables in fleet management
include vehicle tracking technology, maintenance management, driver safety and fuel
management. There is fierce competition among fleet management companies in Europe,
with advances in technology and market consolidation shaping the industry. The
incorporation of IoT and AI technologies and a focus on sustainability are emerging trends in
the industry. In Zimbabwe, including Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), the
introduction of fleet management systems has been an important step to improve operational
efficiency and reduce costs. They played a key role in optimizing fleet operations and
improving transportation management. These systems have helped monitor vehicle usage,
optimize routes, ensure timely maintenance and enhance campus security. Known for its
commitment to technological advancement, CUT would likely see the benefits of such a
system on its campus. CUT believes that implementing a fleet management system has
increased fleet utilization, reduced fuel consumption and improved maintenance schedules.
Campus management can now perform real-time monitoring and data-driven insights,
universities can effectively manage vehicles and ensure efficient transportation services for
students and staff, allocate resources efficiently and ensure smooth operation of
transportation services. In short, fleet management systems have evolved from a global trend
to an essential tool for optimizing fleet operations worldwide, with the integration of
advanced technologies such as GPS, telematics and data analytics making them even more
The system should enable better monitoring and regulation of traffic, ensure the well-
being and protection of drivers and passengers, and optimize fuel usage to minimize
wastage and overpaying. Additionally, it should provide a structured approach to
scheduling and completing vehicle maintenance, reducing the risk of failures,
malfunctions, and accidents.
The objective is to create a fleet management system that provides a centralized and
computerized platform for handling vehicle data, reservations, and allocations. This
system will replace the current manual and written techniques, streamlining processes
and reducing errors and inconsistencies.
Several crucial questions have to be answered in order to fulfill these goals, among them
being:
1. What are the challenges and limitations of the existing fleet management methods?
The Vehicle Management System seeks to modernize fleet operations, boost efficiency, and
provide an outstanding user interface for drivers and management by tackling these issues
and putting the proper strategies into place.
The study on the introduction of an efficient fleet management system at Chinhoyi University
of Technology is significant for reasons other than the immediate benefits of enhanced
resource utilization, cost optimization, and streamlined operations. This study has an
opportunity to contribute to larger sustainability efforts inside the institution by addressing
the problems faced by the institution in managing their fleet. The environmental stewardship
goal of Chinhoyi University of Technology is in line with the potential for lower emissions
and fuel usage that could arise from effective fleet management. The University may also use
vehicle tracking technologies and optimize vehicle maintenance schedules to guarantee
enhanced safety procedures and regulatory compliance.
An efficient fleet management system can result in financial savings by improving control
over maintenance expenses, fuel prices, and asset usage. The savings generated can be
allocated to other scholarly and administrative goals, improving the university's overall
operation. Furthermore, this research is applicable beyond Chinhoyi University of
Technology. The findings and recommendations can be useful references for other colleges
and universities or enterprises facing similar fleet management difficulties. This study has an
opportunity to contribute to industry-wide improvement in fleet management methods by
sharing best practices and lessons gained. The importance of this research lies not only in its
potential to improve resource utilization, optimizing expenses, and streamlined operations at
Chinhoyi University, but also in its wider effect on efforts to promote sustainability, safety
measures, financial savings, and expertise sharing in the field of fleet management.
The cyclical and collaborative aspects of Agile can be very advantageous to the success of a
vehicle management project when implemented using its principles through:
1. Constant feedback: Agile projects place a strong emphasis on getting input from drivers,
fleet managers, and other stakeholders. This feedback enables the system for managing
fleets to be continuously improved and refined. User input on the driver interface's
usability, for instance, or recommendations for new reporting features, can guide system
improvements and guarantee that it continues to meet the fleet's changing requirements
4. Organize user stories into a prioritized backlog that reflects the needs and specifications
of the fleet. This can be done by the fleet management project. By ensuring that high-
priority items are handled early in the project, this backlog helps to deliver value earlier.
Examples of these items include streamlining routing and scheduling, increasing driver
safety, and improving fuel efficiency.
At the requirement gathering and analysis stage, fleet managers and system users actively
contributed insights into their particular needs and expectations. This required conducting
System requirements, such as system scalability, security, integration with existing systems,
and data management, were identified during this stage in addition to user requirements, with
the aim of ensuring that the FMS would be able to satisfy fleet managers' needs while also
adhering to industry standards and best practices.
1. Software Requirements
Web-Based Application: The programming dialect PHP was employed to create the web-
based CUT fleet management system. This will make it possible for users to login to the
system using a web browser on various devices, which will make it dependable for auditors
to check the driving history and status report with ease.
Database Management System: To store, manage, and retrieve data on the cars, drivers,
reservations, maintenance, and other related information, CUT fleet management will need a
database management system.
User Roles and Permissions: Several user roles, such as administrators, fleet managers,
drivers, and maintenance personnel, will be supported by the system. To maintain data
security, privacy, and integrity, every role should have unique access levels and permissions.
Security measures: To stop hackers from leaking or breaching sensitive data, preventive
measures including encryption of information and user authentication will be used.
Communication Protocols: In order to connect many global servers, particularly space
satellites, which will be utilized to connect the GPS, the CUT fleet management software will
need communication protocols like TCP/IP and HTTP.
Intuitive user experience: The system's responsive design allows it to adjust to various
screen sizes and is easy to use. This will make it possible for users to do tasks quickly and
effectively whether they are using a personal computer or their smartphone to access the
system.
Servers: Because of the fleet management system's extensive operations and complexity, a
large number of dedicated servers as well as cloud computing facilities from the CUT server
room will be needed to host the program and maintain the database. Network infrastructure:
To guarantee a consistent high bandwidth and efficient stream of information from the web to
the fleet management software computer system, network infrastructure for reception from
the CUT network will be improved.
Compatibility: Commonly used hardware, such as desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone
computers, will be compliant with the CUT vehicle management system. It will be supported
by Android, iOS and Windows.
Geo-location Integration: The navigation system will work with the GPS units that are
mounted in the cars. This will make it possible to track cars in real time, giving fleet
managers the ability to keep an eye on their whereabouts and plan the best routes for
effective transit.
3. Functional Requirements:
User Authentication: Using their special login credentials, users will be able to authenticate
themselves via the system's secure login feature. This will guarantee that only individuals
with the proper authorization can use the system and carry out duties in accordance with their
roles.
Vehicle Management: The system will enable fleet managers to add, amend, and remove
vehicle data. This contains information about the vehicle's make, model, and year of
manufacture as well as registration, insurance, and maintenance data.
Trip Management: Fleet managers will be able to plan and allocate driver trips using this
technology. This include handling passenger information, allocating drivers to motor
vehicles, and defining pickup and drop-off destinations. In addition, the system must to notify
and caution drivers in real time about trip assignments and modifications.
Repair and Maintenance: Fleet supervisors and maintenance personnel will be able to plan
and monitor vehicle maintenance schedules, record repair requests, and keep track of service
records thanks to the system. This include keeping track of expenses, documenting
maintenance tasks, and scheduling regular maintenance reminders according to distance
traveled or time intervals.
4. Non-Functional Requirements:
Performance: Even with numerous simultaneous users and a significant amount of car
information, the computer will have a real-time memory dump to minimize latency and
guarantee quick reaction times. This guarantees that users won't encounter any appreciable
delays when accessing and updating information in real-time.
Security: To safeguard sensitive data, the system will include strong security features. This
includes access control based on roles to prevent unwanted access, encryption of data while
it's in transit and at rest, and frequent security upgrades to fix any bugs.
Scalability: Future rises in the overall amount of users and cars should be supported by the
system's design. This involves making certain that the database and infrastructure can manage
growing amounts of information and interactions among users without materially affecting
Reliability: To minimize downtime and guarantee data integrity, the system should have a
high degree of reliability. In the event of a system failure, data loss should be avoided by
having frequent backups and redundancy mechanisms in place.
Usability: The framework ought to have an easy-to-use interface with features that are
straightforward to navigate. Users should need little training to grasp and complete jobs
efficiently. The system should also offer tooltips and contextual assistance to help users
navigate complicated procedures.
5. User Requirements:
Simple Access: Users won't need to create new accounts or log in again gain entry to the
fleet management program using their university credentials.
Clear Guidelines and Assistance: When it comes to complicated operations like managing
maintenance jobs, assigning drivers, or scheduling trips, the system will give users clear
instructions and guidance. Tooltips, on-screen instructions, and system-accessible
documentation might all fall under this category.
Fleet Visibility: Clients will be enabled to see a map of the complete fleet, complete with
pertinent information like vehicle specs, driver assignments, and availability.
Scheduling and Dispatching: By letting user’s designate drivers to particular cars and tasks,
the system will facilitate effective vehicle scheduling and dispatching.
Maintenance Management: Clients will be allowed to monitor and control the schedules for
routine auto maintenance, as well as repairs, service reminders, and maintenance records.
Motor fuel Management: The software will include features for keeping tabs on gasoline
usage and expenses, as well as for tracking fuel transactions.
Driver Management: Information about drivers, such as assignments, licenses,
qualifications, and training records, will be managed by users.
Reports and Analytics: The framework will provide the ability to generate information on
many aspects of fleet performance, such as driver performance, maintenance expenses,
vehicle utilization, and fuel efficiency.
Ethics and Regulations: The infrastructure will facilitate adherence to industry-specific
rules and regulations, including those pertaining to documenting drivers' hours of service
(HOS), vehicle checks, and other regulatory obligations.
Integration with Different Systems: Users would need to interface the fleet management
system with other current systems, like enterprise resource planning (ERP), accounting, and
payroll.
User Admission and Security: To guarantee that only individuals with the proper
authorization can view and alter the system's data, the system should have authentication for
users and access control features.
User-Friendly Interface: Without requiring much training, users will be able to navigate and
carry out tasks with ease thanks to the system's intuitive and user-friendly interface.
Mobile Accessibility: In order to do duties while on the road, users may need to have mobile
connectivity to the vehicle management system via smartphones or tablets.
The frontend is created with PHP and HTML, where PHP code is inserted in HTML files to
produce dynamic web pages. The front-end employs Bootstrap as a framework for responsive
design and includes many components and utilities for layout, typography, forms, buttons,
navigation, plugins, picture carousels, and more. The back end is the server portion of the
program that conducts the business logic and data processing. It is developed in PHP. It also
defines classes for each module, for example the Drivers, Dashboard, Frontend booking,
Trips, Settings classes etcetera. These classes extend from CI_Controller, a foundation class
offered by the PHP framework Code Igniter. These classes include attributes and methods
that match to the functionality of each module. The database is the storage of the Web
Application that contains the data connected to the modules. The database is MySQL. The
database architecture contains of tables for each module, such as dashboard, vehicles, drivers,
In the software solution, there are four categories of users or actors: administrator, principal
driver, driver, and fuel attendant. Each user has distinct permissions and responsibilities for
accessing and administering the data and functions of the system. The use cases represent the
primary objectives or tasks that each user can perform with the system, such as booking a
vehicle, tracking a vehicle, refueling a vehicle, generating a report, etcetera.
Frontendbooking: This class processes client booking requests, checks the information
supplied, confirms the availability of drivers and automobiles, and finalizes the
booking.
Figure 1.10a: Use case
Reports: The Reports class creates reports based on the data from other classes, for
example the trip history, performance analysis, feedback survey, etcetera.
Trips: The Trips class depicts a journey that involves a vehicle, a driver, and a consumer.
The journey has properties such as the origin, destination, distance, duration, and status.
Class Diagram:
1.11 Implementation
In order to get input and take into account their particular needs throughout implementation,
the development team worked closely with stakeholders, such as fleet managers and end
users. With this iterative process, the FMS could be continuously improved and tailored to
each user's particular requirements. Best practices for software development, such as code
documentation, version control, and coding standards observance, were carried out
throughout the implementation phase. As a result, teamwork was facilitated and good code
quality was guaranteed. The researchers wanted to produce an FMS that not only simplified
fleet management procedures but also offered a user-friendly interface. In order to improve
user experience, the system was built with intuitive navigation, interactive dashboards, and
customizable features. Fleet managers may now make decisions based on accurate and
current information thanks to the integration of real-time data tracking and reporting
capabilities. The researchers were successful in putting into practice a Fleet Management
System that met user requirements for functionality, usability, and performance while
utilizing Code Igniter and PHP to their fullest potential.
The Fleet Management System's various parts, including vehicle tracking, maintenance
planning, and fuel management, were incorporated during the integration process to form a
coherent system. To verify the integration of these systems and make sure they operated
without a hitch, extensive testing was done. This required running a number of test cases to
confirm the proper operation and data flow among various components. Any problems or
issues found during testing were recorded and prioritized according to their seriousness. To
assure the stability and dependability of the system, the development team immediately
began debugging and correcting these problems. As part of integration testing, the Fleet
Following extensive testing that included both functional and nonfunctional user
requirements, the Fleet Management System (FMS) was found to effectively meet all the
required standards. After testing, the FMS was declared prepared for deployment. For first
use, it was then given to fleet managers. During the deployment phase, researchers and
support staff were available to handle any unforeseen problems or offer assistance as
required. This made the switchover seamless and enabled fleet managers to use the FMS right
away without running into any possible problems. The Fleet Management System was
installed and configured in the production environment during the deployment phase. This
involved putting up the system's requisite hardware, software, and network infrastructure.
The FMS received a final round of testing before to deployment to confirm that it was
completely functioning and met all the requirements. Fleet managers were given initial access
to the FMS once it had been given the all clear for deployment. For the duration of this stage,
researchers and support staff were on hand to handle any problems or offer assistance as
needed. To ensure that fleet managers could utilize the technology properly, they also offered
training and assistance.
1.14 Maintenance
Throughout the deployment phase, there was constant monitoring and evaluation done to
obtain fleet manager comments, find any problems, and pinpoint areas that needed work. The
system's performance was improved using this input, and it was made sure to keep up with
consumer demands. The system's implementation was a continual process including feedback
1.15 Demonstration
The FMS demonstrated its capabilities during the trials, showcasing features including real-
time vehicle tracking, route optimization, maintenance planning, and driver performance
monitoring. The goal was to show how these capabilities successfully address typical fleet
management issues, such increasing operational effectiveness and cutting expenses.
1. Login Page
The login page is the very first interface that users see to log into the system. Users may sign
in to the system by entering their legitimate user name and password, as illustrated below.
3. Users
This module is used to view the users of the system by clicking on the user management.
There is also add user that allows for the admin toad different users and giving them different
privileges.
4. Vehicles
The vehicle module is far top-left. In this module the admin can add vehicle, add vehicle
group. In this module the admin can see the list of vehicles available for booking as shown
below
Add Vehicle
The vehicle module consists of the option vehicle lists, in which a list of vehicles and details
about them such as registration number, model etcetera is listed.
6. Driver
Adding Driver
The Driver module consists of the option Add Driver, which allows the administrator to add
drivers and input their details such as their License no, Name, Age etcetera
7. Driver List
The Driver module also consists of the option Driver List which shows driver information
including their name, mobile number, license number etcetera.
8. Booking
Add Booking
9. Booking List
The Bookings module also has the option Booking List which displays the status of each
booking done to a vehicle and the corresponding driver assigned to that concurrent booking,
as well as the customer who is involved with the booking of a particular vehicle.
The image below depicts the vehicle fuel management table, which was created to store all
fuel management information.
The Income and Expenses module also has the option of adding Incomes and Expenses.
Inside the Income and Expenses module consists of a sub module Income and Expense
Information which shows details such as Amount, Description, and Date etcetera.
15. Tracking
The Tracking module is responsible for apprehending the current location of a booked
vehicle which is being used at that concurrent time.
This module shows the history of locations that have been reached by vehicles at a particular
date and time.
1.17 Communication
Presentations and reports were used to explain the study's findings and the software design
technique to management audiences. The emphasis was on demonstrating the shortcomings
of conventional fleet management practices and how the FMS provides a remedy.
Technology-savvy decision-makers were likely to fully comprehend the system's advantages
thanks to clear communication.
1.18 Conclusion
The results of the study and the software design strategy were presented to management
audiences in reports and presentations. The emphasis was on showcasing the flaws in
traditional fleet management methods and how the FMS offers a solution. Clear
communication made it more likely that decision-makers who were familiar with technology
would completely understand the benefits of the system.
• Creating a desktop program with changeable parameters for the car tracking system,
frame speed, detection level, and vehicle types. The application would also contain filters
to pick vehicles based on characteristics like color, size, speed, and direction.
• Mobile Apps: Consider designing mobile applications that supplement the core fleet
management system, offering capabilities like real-time vehicle tracking, driver
notifications, and simple data entry.
• Hosting the car tracking system on a web server to make it accessible to a larger user
base. This would enable processing of various video streams from diverse sources and
locations, and provide a central platform for data storage and analysis. Cloud computing
resources, such as GPU acceleration, could be employed to boost system performance
and scalability.
• Enhancing the user interface of the vehicle monitoring system to make it visually
appealing and feature-rich. The UI would provide additional car information including
license plates, owners, destinations, and histories. Interactive features such as zooming,
panning, and annotating video frames could be integrated. Integration with other
programs like maps, navigation, and traffic management would provide extra context and
usefulness.
• Improved Tracking: Develop a custom computer program that effectively monitors
vehicle whereabouts in the fleet, allowing users to readily find vehicles based on location
or repair needs.
• Online Access: Make the fleet management system reachable through the internet,
enabling users to access it anytime, anywhere and boosting collaboration among
stakeholders.
To deliver accurate and up-to-date information, the platform utilizes technologies such as
GPS tracking, telematics, and data analytics. This allows managers of fleets to track vehicles'
locations, evaluate performance, and examine data for improved decision-making. Security
was a major priority, leading to the introduction of authentication and access control
measures to protect critical fleet data. The development team followed industry standards and
adopted an agile development style, allowing for iterative development, regular updates, and
continual improvement. Stakeholder participation and cooperation ensured that the system
met specific criteria and addressed pain points efficiently.
More so, the fleet management system development has effectively given an integrated
approach that streamlines operations, enhances decision-making, and promotes efficiency.
With its straightforward design, advanced functionality, and robust safety measures, the
system delivers great benefits to the fleet's management operations, including cost savings,
better productivity, and enhanced customer satisfaction. Additionally, the fleet management
system can be employed by anyone who owns a fleet of vehicles and needs to track them in
real time. The system also provides an API that developers may exploit to construct their own
applications, such as a tracking application for a group of Students on vacation. This project
has provided important experience in web application development, incorporating famous
frameworks like PHP and Codeigniter.