Every winter, municipalities brace for the same challenge: snow, ice, and rising costs. Salt and fuel prices continue to climb, yet public works departments are expected to keep roads safe and prove they’re using taxpayer dollars responsibly. Many cities turn to telematics and AVL systems to find savings—but without accurate data, those systems can only go so far.
That’s where Plow Pilot changes the equation.
Plow Pilot is a precision plow sensor that ensures the data flowing into your AVL platform is accurate, tamper-proof, and tied directly to operator controls. By tracking every blade movement with certainty, Plow Pilot eliminates guesswork and unlocks the true cost-saving potential of telematics.
Telematics systems like Geotab are powerful, but their insights are only as good as the data they receive. If you don’t know exactly when a blade was raised or lowered, reports on service completion and performance will always be incomplete.
That lack of precision can have costly consequences:
Plow Pilot solves this by reporting blade positions directly from the operator’s control levers. Installed inside the cab, it’s shielded from dirt, fluids, and accidental bumps that cause problems with external sensors. The result is continuous, foolproof reporting that fleet managers can trust - all while reducing the need and the cost of replacing sensors multiple times.
AVL systems and spreader controllers give the big-picture view of winter operations—where trucks are, how much material is applied, and when service is completed. But without reliable plow position data, even the best platforms have blind spots.
Plow Pilot fills that gap. By feeding accurate blade-position data into AVL, Plow Pilot ensures reports reflect verified plowing activity and true operational timelines. This transforms AVL from a tracking tool into a precision management system that fleet managers can rely on for defensible, audit-ready data.
Consider how municipalities like the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia, have reduced salt usage by monitoring material application with telematics. Or how Franklin County, Ohio, has improved public trust and reporting accuracy through fleet visibility. These results highlight what AVL can achieve—but with Plow Pilot, the data gets even sharper, giving fleet managers the confidence that savings are backed by complete, accurate information.
Cost reductions are critical, but Plow Pilot also helps municipalities meet compliance requirements and improve safety.
Accurate plow data provides proof of service, allowing cities to defend against liability claims and demonstrate that roads were cleared at the right times. Detailed reporting strengthens transparency, showing taxpayers exactly how resources were used. And by tying salt application to verified blade activity, operators can ensure roads are treated effectively without wasting material.
This level of accuracy builds public trust while reducing risk—two outcomes that are just as valuable as budget savings.
Plow Pilot was built with operators and fleet managers in mind. It’s not just accurate; it’s practical:
For operators, Plow Pilot works like a co-pilot in the cab—quietly recording every action without slowing them down. For managers, it provides the reliable data they need to cut costs, prove compliance, and make smarter operational decisions.
Telematics and AVL platforms deliver enormous potential for winter fleet operations, from reducing salt use to cutting fuel costs. But without accurate data, that potential is limited.
Plow Pilot is the missing piece that ensures municipalities get the full value of their telematics investment. By pairing precise plow sensor data with AVL and spreader controllers, cities can lower costs, strengthen compliance, and keep roads safer all winter long.
Don’t wait until the first storm arrives. Learn more about Plow Pilot by DiCAN and see how better data can lead to safer, more cost-effective winter operations.