Article | Feature Focus – CAZ & ULEZ

Written by: Chris Knowles, Technical Director

Feature Focus – CAZ & ULEZ Zones

Using CAZ and ULEZ Zones

Navigating the growing number of Clean Air Zones (CAZ) and Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) across the UK can be an administrative minefield for fleet managers. Knowing exactly when your vehicles enter or exit these high-cost areas is vital for both cost control and operational planning.

Pay as you Track View makes this effortless with our Place Packs feature. Rather than manually drawing complex boundaries for every city, you can import entire zones – including the London ULEZ and regional Clean Air Zones – in just a few clicks.

Why Clean Air Zones Matter for Your Fleet

With cities like London, Birmingham, Bristol, and Glasgow implementing strict emission standards, the risk of unexpected charges and fines is high. By having these zones clearly mapped in your tracking system, you can:

Track Entry & Exit: Get precise timestamps of when a vehicle entered a charging zone [01:48].
Automate Alerts: Set up instant notifications so you can take action (like paying a daily charge) before a fine is issued.
Audit Compliance: Use historical reports to verify if a vehicle was actually within a zone boundary at a specific time.

Place Packs: Import in Seconds

We’ve done the hard work of mapping out the UK’s major zones. Our Place Packs allow you to import these complex, multi-region boundaries directly into your workspace [02:45]:

Create a Folder: It’s best practice to keep your zones organized. Create a folder named “Birmingham CAZ” or “London ULEZ” [02:50].
Select Your Pack: Use the “Import Place Pack” menu option and select the city or zone you need [03:13].
Instant Visibility: The import completes almost instantly, populating your map with the exact polygonal boundaries of the zone [03:23].

Visibility on the LiveMap

Once imported, you have total control over how these zones appear. Using the Layers Control at the bottom right of the LiveMap, you can toggle specific zone folders on or off [00:44].

Circular vs. Polygonal: While standard “Places” (like a customer’s office) are often circular, imported CAZ and ULEZ zones use precise polygonal shapes to match official council boundaries [01:02].
Interactive Editing: Need to adjust a boundary? Simply touch and drag the vertices (the dots on the lines) to reshape the polygon to your specific requirements [02:04].

Beyond the Import: Custom Places

The same “Places” module that handles ULEZ zones is also your tool for general geofencing. Whether it’s a depot, a regular delivery site, or a Road [01:13], adding a place ensures that every row in your reports is tagged with that location name, making data much easier to read at a glance [01:54].

Why This Matters for Your Business

Cost Prevention: Avoid expensive PCNs (Penalty Charge Notices) by knowing exactly which vehicles are in a charging zone.
Streamlined Admin: No more manual drawing of city boundaries; our place packs handle the geometry for you.
Enhanced Reporting: See “Place Entry” and “Place Exit” records directly in your detailed reports for easy auditing [01:48].
Operational Planning: Identify which vehicles in your fleet are best suited for city-centre work based on their proximity to these zones.

Talk to Pay as you Track on 0151 914 5500 to discuss our solution or contact us at [email protected]

Ready to import your first zone? Watch the Places & CAZ Import Guide here

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