Category: Blog

The World of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

Posted on | by Jimmy Song

Tire pressure monitoring systems evolved from a manual system to an automated system.

Why do fleets care about tire pressure monitoring systems?

Tires are important to a fleet’s success because they affect 2 categories – safety and cost.

Safety

Tires must be in tip-top form to prevent accidents. One reason is that tires are a big factor in determining braking time.

TireRack ran an experiment between new tires and worn out tires. What was the difference in braking time? The truck with worn out tires took twice as long to brake. Yikes! Instead of risking an accident, fleets use tire pressure monitoring systems to maintain healthy tires.

Cost

Tires are the 3rd leading fleet cost.

Some people stop accounting beyond repair costs. It’s a great start but tires have a greater financial impact.

One of the biggest tire costs is wasted fuel. Flat tires cause fleets to use more fuel. And, of course, fuel cost adds up! Instead of breaking the bank on fuel, tire pressure monitoring systems are installed to ensure tires are properly inflated.

How have tire systems evolved?

evolution of TMPS

Then

Tire systems used to be a manual process. This meant drivers were supposed to regularly check their tires and report any problems.

Unfortunately, manual processes leave room for human error. Not all drivers complete regular checks. Also, not all mechanics receive or finish repair jobs. As a result, manual processes increases safety and fuel cost risks.

Now

Tire pressure monitoring systems moved towards an electronic process. This is done through either an indirect system or a direct system.

Indirect system. Indirect systems estimate tire pressures by measuring the truck’s tire revolution speed. If a tire spins at a different pace than the other tires, then a tire pressure warning is created. This system is less costly but also less accurate than a direct system.

Direct system. Direct systems, on the other hand, means installing a tire pressure monitoring device directly on the tire. This device reads and reports tire pressure. As a result, drivers can take a live look at tire readings.

Case Study: PressurePro

PressurePro is an example a direct tire pressure monitoring system. Here is a quick video rundown:

 

Some of PressurePro’s most important uses include:

In-cab displays and alerts

PressurePro looks like one of those fancy gadgets on a airplane cabin. Just like a plane’s control panel, PressurePro shows tire pressure and tire temperature. Drivers can also set up alerts if the tire pressure and temperature is outside of the normal range.

Office reports

Besides sharing data with drivers, PressurePro also sends reports to the geniuses in fleet operations. This is done by integrating PressurePro with fleet management solutions. As a result, managers can review tire patterns to make decisions on tire purchases and maintenance policies.

Results

Fleets report that PressurePro’s active tire program saves money from fewer accidents, better fuel economy, and longer lasting tires.

Links
Tire Rack: Test Tire Results

Best GPS Tracking & Fleet Management Trends to Follow in 2018

Posted on | by Jimmy Song

2017 was a crazy year for GPS tracking and fleet management. Last year, fleets saw logbook mandates, electric trucks, and anything in between! 2018 also promises to be an exciting year. Here are some of the best GPS tracking and fleet management trends to follow in 2018!

fleet management trends 2018

Safety

Marijuana

Marijuana will be legal in Canada starting July 2018. One of the concerns, however, was preventing impaired driving. As such, impaired testing apps are gaining interest. For instance, engineers created apps like Good2Drive to test driver alertness at the start of the trip.

Cameras

Cameras are one of the fastest growing safety gadgets. Vehicle fleets and individual drivers are both seeing the value of dashcams. Because of dashcams, drivers are capturing accidents and successfully defending themselves against false claims.

Distracted driving

Another big newsmaker is distracted driving. Thankfully, the public is much more aware about the dangers of distracted driving. This concern is also reflected by businesses – many fleets created strict policies against texting and driving.

Autonomous Driving

Self driving cars continue to appear on the news. Last year, the FMCSA had a public hearing about the future of self driving cars.

In addition to the hearing, another big step was the Tesla Semis conference. These trucks are electric and are able to self-drive on highways. Several companies have already publically pre-ordered up over 100 trucks!

Although the trucks might not yet hit the road, the market is definitely there. Nonetheless, we can expect further debate and policies in 2018 around self driving trucks.

Cybercrime

Cybercrime is another thing to look for after an eventful 2017. 2017 was indeed a big year for cybercrime, where businesses and even governments were hacked.

Cyber criminals can also target GPS and fleet management systems. These systems contain treasure boxes of data. Hackers can access sensitive data and can even control vehicles in some systems! How can fleets prevent cybercrime?

The best GPS systems have strong cyber security systems. For instance, Geotab includes security in their company culture. Their system has many levels of protection, including encrypted data, secure cloud storage, and controlled firmware updates.

Driver Engagement

Driver recruiting and engagement remains an industry challenge. Older drivers are retiring and that is causing a driver shortage. In order to adapt to a changing workforce, driver recruiters are using creative techniques.

One company used social media to attract new young drivers. They shared pictures of community events, driver birthdays, and driver awards. This resulted in thousands of followers and regular job inquiry messages on social media.

More Data

For a long time, GPS tracking meant just looking at vehicle location.  Only a few years ago, many businesses were resistant to GPS tracking. Fast forward a few years and that attitude has now changed. Fleets are not only buying into GPS tracking but are also asking for more data!

The best GPS tracking services have driver, fuel, and diagnostic reports. Customers are starting to realize this.

In 2016 and in the early parts of 2017, purchasers often ask for “basic location tracking”. As the year progressed, purchasers were asking for more reports. In 2018, we expect fleets to collect and measure even more data.

Regulations

2017 was a big year for rules. Many businesses revamped their logbook policies in order to get into compliance with the ELD rules.

Some of the biggest 2018 fleet management regulations include:

  • Canadian ELD mandate. Transport Canada is drafting its own version of the ELD mandate. It’s expected to be similar to the American rules and should be released shortly.
  • Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Food carriers are required to keep storage reports. Companies are using temperature monitoring systems to report and alert temperature changes.

Enjoyed our list on 2018’s best GPS tracking & fleet management trends? Sign up to our newsletter to receive regular industry updates!

Links
Geotab: Best Practices for Cybersecurity Management in Telematics

5 Tips for Getting Home Safely this New Year’s Eve

Posted on | by Samantha Tung

Written by Samantha Tung, Caliber Collision

New Year’s Eve is a day full of excitement and celebration. However, all of that celebrating can create a dangerous situation out on the roads.

On New Year’s Eve, there are more alcohol-related car accidents than most other nights. In fact, when compared to an average weekend night, there is about 71 percent more alcohol- and drug-related accidents between 6 pm on December 31 and 6 am on January 1st.

Because these crashes are so common, it is especially important that you stay safe when on the roads.

Follow these five tips to ensure you make it home safely this New Year’s Eve.

safe NYE driving

1. Have a Designated Driver

One of the easiest ways to get home safe on New Year’s Eve this year is to have a designated driver pick you up and drop you off at home. You probably won’t have to pay your designated driver! You can always buy them dinner or non-alcoholic drinks in exchange for a safe ride home. Just make sure you choose someone who won’t drink at the party or event you’re going to. Even a single drink can be dangerous!

However, if you don’t have a friend that’s willing to be a designated driver, Dryver offers designated driver services across 76 cities in the United States via a smartphone app. You can easily hire a designated driver pick up a few guests for an event, by the hour, or for order pickup services all through the app. Plus, the driver uses your car, so there’s no need to worry about Uber drivers and cabs fighting over who picks up whom.

2. Use Public Transportation

The easiest and cheapest way to get home safe on New Year’s Eve is taking public transportation, whether it be using a bus, boat, or subway.
Fortunately, most cities have public transportation, so it won’t be challenging to find a safe route home. Also, most major cities offer reduced or free late night services for public transportation on New Year’s Eve and other major holidays.

3. Book a Cab or Use a Rideshare Service

Clearly, one of the more popular ways to get to and from a destination safely is taking a cab, Lyft, or Uber. However, more often enough, rideshare services are becoming increasingly more popular than cabs. You can hail a ride and pay for it right from the app.

When you’re taking an Uber or Lyft, make sure you avoid the costly surge charge. Usually, during major holidays when traffic is bad or there are fewer drivers on the road, rideshare services charge users a “surge charge,” which is usually twice the cost of a normal ride. However, Uber representatives predict that the surge on New Year’s Eve will last from 12:30 to 2:30, so make sure you get a ride either before or after!

4. Consider Staying Over

If you can’t find a designated driver or don’t have the money for a rideshare service, there’s no need to worry. If you’re at a party, consider staying over until the morning.

Most cases, your friends are already planning on staying over, and it will be easier for your convenience. However, just make sure you ask the host of the party beforehand, to make sure they have enough room for you to stay over. Plus, they might even offer you a ride home in the morning, once everyone is sober.

5. Contact AAA

If you have an AAA membership, you may be in luck. AAA offers pickup service to over 20 regions in the country on New Year’s Eve. Although this means that their services aren’t available to everyone, you should try to contact AAA and schedule some sort of pick up after your party to ensure a safe drive home. You can also check online to see whether or not their service is available in your area.

Samantha Tung is a contributing writer and media specialist for Caliber Collision. She often contributes content for a variety of car safety blogs. 

2017 Was a Big Year for Electric Vehicles (Pt. 1) | Electric Truck

Posted on | by Jimmy Song

The electric truck, led by the big Tesla reveal, is making a big buzz!

Earlier this year, Elon Musk dazzled the audience by revealing the Tesla Semi. The Tesla Semi is Tesla’s all-electric truck and is an amazing feat for electric vehicles!

What’s with the electric vehicle buzz?

Electric vehicles are soaring in popularity. A lot of people wrote off electric cars. Just a few years ago, there was even a documentary called “Who Killed the Electric Car?”. For a long time, electric cars were slow selling and were tagged as a toy for green geeks.

This isn’t the case anymore! For instance, there are now at least 34 electric vehicles on the American market. In the last few years, engineers designed electric cars to be affordable, quick charging, and powerful.

In addition to regular people looking into electric vehicles, many fleets are doing the same. Let’s take a look at why fleets are excited about the Tesla Semi.

year of electric vehicles

Highlights on Tesla’s big electric truck reveal:

Pure electric

The Tesla Semi is fully electric! The truck can be used for both short haul and long haul jobs.

For short-haul jobs, the Tesla Semi can be used on a single charge per day. This is because its battery life has a range of 500 miles. How convenient!

What about long haul? Long-haul truckers can quickly charge their Tesla Semi throughout their route. The Tesla Semi uses Megachargers, which are mega powerful solar-powered battery chargers. As a result, truckers can fully charge their truck during their 30-minute break.

Economical

Elon Musk promises that the Tesla Semi will save money from the start. He went as far as saying that using diesel trucks would be “economic suicide”.

To Tesla’s point, a lot of people were surprised at the Tesla Semi’s affordable price tag. The trucks start at $150,000, which is in line with some diesel models.

The real savings, however, start after using the truck. The Tesla Semi only has a cost of about $0.85 per mile. This is lower than diesel trucks and rail alternatives.

Super performance

Sure, the Tesla Semi runs on electricity and might be cheaper per mile. That’s all cool, but how does the Tesla Semi perform against traditional trucks?

Alas, the Tesla Semi does not disappoint. Onlookers felt giddy about the technical specs. For example, the tractor can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds! Musk also promised that the truck is sturdy enough to have 0 breakdowns in its first million miles.

Safety and autonomous driving

Another big part of Tesla’s reveal is autonomous driving. In addition to just being an electric truck, Musk said that the Tesla Semi can drive itself on the highway.

Indeed, to the crowd’s amazement, the Tesla Semi uses collision avoidance and lane assist technology to get the job done. These tools ensure that Tesla Semis can drive safely and avoid accidents.

Also, it allows Tesla Semis to “platoon”. Platooning is where trucks are connected together and drive in a line. As a result of platooning, driving efficiency and traffic flow is improved.

How are fleets reacting to the Tesla Semi?

The Tesla Semi is popular among fleets and will soon be on the road. Production is scheduled to start in 2019 and some fleets already committed to adding these trucks.

Just like digital products, fleets eagerly pre-ordered the Tesla Semis. Companies on the preorder list include JB Hunt, Walmart and Loblaw.

Electric vehicles are indeed alive!

Check back in for part 2 of our electric truck series, where we explore tracking for electric trucks!

Links:

Truck News: Tesla semi hits the streets

BGR: Tesla reveals pricing for the Tesla Semi and it’s surprisingly competitive

Wired: Meet the Tesla Semitruck, Elon Musk’s Most Electrifying Gamble Yet

Mashable: Tesla’s new ‘Megachargers’ will give its Semis power for 400 miles in 30 minutes

DOT HOS Regulations

DOT HOS Regulations | A Driver’s Intro Guide to ELDs

Posted on | by Jimmy Song

Across the country, many drivers are starting to electronically record their DOT HOS logs. Since a lot of drivers are used to paper logs, switching to ELDs is a big change.

In fact, one common concern is teaching drivers how to use ELDs. “A lot of our drivers don’t even have phones and other drivers still use flip phones,” said a concerned fleet manager. “How are we going to get drivers to learn these new gadgets?”

Fortunately, DOT HOS compliance does not have to be complicated. In this guide, we’ll cover:

  • What devices will drivers use to record their DOT HOS logs?
  • How do drivers use such devices?

What devices are needed to record and display DOT HOS logs?

Drivers need a device that is compliant with the FMCSA rules. In most systems, this involves a plug-in device and a screen to display the data.

For example, GoFleet supplies Geotab units. These units are compliant with ELD rules and records DOT truck driving hours. Drivers can then use a compatible smartphone, tablet, or Garmin to display their hours.

How do drivers use ELD devices?

ELDs are easy-to-use – even for people who are new to the tech!

Here are a few steps:

1 – Start the application.

Drivers can download the Geotab Drive app on a personal device. After downloading the app, drivers log in with their username and password.

Geotab Drive app

2 – Syncing vehicle data.

After logging in, the app will automatically sync driving data from the Geotab unit. Then, drivers can select their vehicle and claim their log entries.

syncing vehicle data geotab

3 – Completing DVIRs.

After claiming their logs, drivers can electronically fill in their DVIRs. Instead of having to work on paper, drivers can use the app to fill in a DVIR form. Drivers can also review previous inspections.

Completing DVIRs

4 – Using the HOS display.
Drivers can select the “HOS” button to view their hours. This handy screen shows how many hours drivers have left and their current status.

The device automatically switches to “Driving” when the truck is moving and switches to “On Duty” if the truck is stopped for 5 consecutive minutes. Otherwise, drivers can select “Off” if they are taking a break.

Using the HOS display

5 – Verifying and summarizing logs.

Drivers can also verify and summarize their logs. Under the “Graphs” page, drivers can see a history of verified and edited logs.

If drivers need to show their logs for a roadside inspection, drivers can quickly create a report. The app would then generate logs over the past few days.

eld report

Need training with Geotab Drive? Simply schedule a training session with our support team!

Getting Through Winter 2018 | Part 2: Winter Fleet Operations

Posted on | by Jimmy Song

Fleets are gearing up for winter fleet operations. Recently, weather forecasters predicted that winter 2018 is going to be a big one!

According to their forecasts, this winter will be snowier and colder than normal. In Ontario and Quebec, forecasters are calling for a classic Canadian winter with snowfalls lasting until March. This is because this year’s weather system closely matches some of the strongest winters in recent years.

In our second guide for winter 2018, we will take a look at how to improve winter fleet operations.

Common Winter Fleet Operations Issues

Mother Nature

Issue: Winter weather disrupts business.

Imagine this. A client schedules a job and needs timely service. The truck goes on the road and everything seems to be going smoothly – until we check the forecast. The forecast warns, “Blizzard warning in effect. Traffic will be delayed.” Then, the driver calls and says that they are stranded. Ouch!

Winter can be brutal for fleets. Drivers often struggle with weather delays and have to go through unsafe roads. How can fleets balance customer expectations with weather delays?

Solution: Fleets need to plan ahead and regularly communicate with drivers.

Although delays are unavoidable, a big part of winter fleet operations involves tracking and planning for storms. Fleet tracking programs are able to do both of these things.

For example, the Geotab system has a Road Weather Hazard feature. With this feature, fleets can track bad weather and warn drivers ahead of time. Also, the system takes a look at road closures and delays. Dispatchers and drivers can then use this info to avoid getting stuck on the road.

Defensive Driving

Issue: Winter driving is dangerous and drivers need to be extra careful.

Winter is one of the most dangerous times to drive. In an average year, there are hundreds of thousands of crashes due to weather. As a result, drivers are trained to drive defensively.

Some of the best practices of winter driving include:

  • Making sure all lights, windows and mirrors are visible
  • Driving extra slow and braking early, especially at intersections and ramps
  • Keeping a safe distance from other drivers

The challenge, however, is for fleets to get drivers to follow these best practices.

Solution: Companies can monitor and track defensive driving habits.

Fleets are solidifying their safety policies by measuring defensive driving rules. For example, fleets might encourage slowing down on ramps by setting maximum ramp speeds. In order to monitor if drivers are slowing down, fleets rely on tracking software to look at custom ramp speed rules.

Communication

Problem: Drivers need a reliable way to communicate.

One of the risks of winter driving is getting stranded on the road. Unfortunately, there are many cases of stranded drivers each winter.

As a result, a lot of drivers carry winter survival kits in case they get stranded. These kits include enough food and water for a few days. It also includes a reliable radio or phone. In addition to winter survival kits, what are other ways to provide drivers with peace of mind?

Solution: Fleets are equipping trucks with emergency contact systems.

Some fleets are adding a satellite mandown system to winter survival kits. These systems provide a way for stranded drivers to call for help, no matter where they are. “My drivers have asked for a mandown system for a long time. It lets them call for help when their cellphones don’t work.”, said a fleet manager.

Is your fleet prepared for this year’s classic winter?

Links:
Weather Network: ‘Classic’ Canadian winter making a comeback
Geotab: Protect Your Fleet from Winter Weather Hazards
C.H. Robinson The Road: Winter Weather Impacts Trucking

AOBRD vs ELD – Which Should You Use?

Posted on | by Jimmy Song

One of the hottest questions as the ELD mandate deadline approaches is what is the difference between AOBRD vs ELD.

AOBRDs vs ELDs Guide

This guide is separated into 4 sections:

1 – What is an AOBRD?

2 – Why do some fleets use AOBRDs?

3 – Is Geotab Drive an AOBRD or ELD?

4 – Why are ELDs the future of trucking?

1 – What is an AOBRD?

AOBRDs, short for Automatic On-Board Recording Devices, are devices that electronically record driver hours. Wait a minute! Isn’t that the same thing as ELDs (electronic logging devices)?

Sort of. An AOBRD is similar to an ELD but they are not quite the same. AOBRDs are compliant with 1988 regulations, whereas ELDs are compliant with modern mandates. In the future, all AOBRD users must upgrade to ELD solution.

One of the big differences of AOBRDs vs ELDs is compliance.

For example, take a look at the following differences:

Editing. The FMCSA understands that sometimes there are mistakes and that drivers need to edit their hours. An AOBRD can edit hours, sometimes without leaving a trail. An ELD, on the other hand, protects data integrity by keeping a record of all edits.

On duty switching. ELDs switches driver status from Off to On Duty if the truck stopped for over 5 minutes. AOBRDs do not.

Unassigned hours. ELDs also warn drivers of any unassigned hours upon logging in, whereas AOBRDs do not. As a result, ELDs give drivers the flexibility of noting if they drove the truck or if someone else drove the truck.

differences between aobrd & eld

2 – Why do some fleets use AOBRDs?

The ELD mandate’s grandfather clause is stirring the debate between AOBRDs vs ELDs. The grandfather clause allows fleets to use AOBRDs for the next two years if it is bought before the deadline. However, after December 16, 2019, all AOBRDs must be upgraded to ELDs.

3 – Is Geotab Drive an AOBRD or ELD?

Geotab is committed to using ELDs. With the recent November 2017 update, the Geotab Drive program was upgraded from an AOBRD to an ELD.

4 – Why are ELDs the future of trucking?

ELDs future of trucking

Compliance

AOBRDs are a band-aid solution. It helps fleets avoid penalties today but fleets are still responsible for switching to full ELDs later. Instead of delaying the change, a lot of fleets are getting in full compliance.

Flexibility does not mean freedom

One of the biggest mistakes of getting AOBRDs instead of ELDs is trying to take advantage of the AOBRD’s flexibility. Yes, it is true that drivers can edit their logs without leaving behind a paper trail.

At the end of the day, however, drivers are still responsible for following the law. If DOT inspectors find that logbooks are tampered and hours are violated, the driver and company is still liable for penalties.

ELDs does more than just compliance

Another big difference between AOBRD and ELD is that ELDs collect more data than AOBRDs. This allows ELDs to provide more functions. For example, a lot of ELD programs also offer IFTA reporting, diagnostics, and driver coaching.

As a result, some fleet owners are choosing ELDS because it adds more value. “Last year, I paid an accountant hundreds of dollars per truck to do my IFTA,” said a fleet owner. “I didn’t realize that Electonic Logging Device can do the same thing and save that money!”

Read our Comprehensive Guide To ELD Compliance.

Click here for more information on ELDs.

Links:
Geotab: What is an ELD?
Overdrive: Log-editing ‘flexibility’ in current-generation AOBRD e-logs v. ELDs

Why Fleet Vehicle Tracking is Important for Your Business

Posted on | by Jimmy Song

Fleet vehicle tracking is important because it squashes problems and lets fleets run smoothly. Here are some common pain areas that tracking systems resolved.

Common Pain Areas Solved by Fleet Vehicle Tracking

“What the heck are my drivers doing?”

Pain area: Accountability, customer service.

One of the biggest issues for fleets is supervising drivers. Here are some examples of dishonest drivers:

  • Some drivers were caught taking leisure rides in company vehicles and on company time. Instead of serving customers, they drove to other places – ranging from their home to local hangouts.
  • Other drivers were caught using vehicles for personal business. For example, a snow plow business caught a driver that used the company vehicle to take side jobs.

All of these issues were solved when vehicles were tracked. Besides rooting out dishonest employees, location tracking is also used for customer service.

For businesses that need to update customers on their service, real-time location tracking is an easy way to get and share info. Some businesses even took it a step further and uploaded the tracking data to a customer accessible web portable.

Pain Areas Solved by Fleet Vehicle Tracking

“Don’t tell me we got in another accident!”

Pain area: Safety, liability.

Running a fleet of vehicles can be risky. Some companies were held legally liable for accidents. For example, a trucking company owner was jailed because he encouraged unsafe driving practices. Other companies lost thousands of money from traffic tickets, fuel wastage, and lawsuits.

A great way to reduce safety risks is to use fleet vehicle tracking to actively train drivers. Fleets were able to create and enforce rules, from classic speeding rules to more advanced driving habits.

For example, one company required all drivers to back into parking spots because reverse parking is safer than head-in parking. They created a reverse parking rule. With vehicle tracking, the fleet created and monitored parking reports. As a result, the company got their entire fleet to buy into the parking policy and significantly decreased parking lot accidents.

fleet vehicles risks

“How am I spending this much money on fuel?”

Pain area: Operation cost

Fuel is a huge operating cost. It hasn’t helped out that fuel prices have spiked over the past year. The most effective adaptors, however, came from companies who tracked and monitored fuel use.

For example, a common idea to save fuel is controlling idling. A lot of fleets have a no-idling policy and need a way to enforce the policy. Enter fleet tracking! With vehicle tracking programs, fleets were able to set idling limits and work with drivers that exceeded those limits.

Another idea is creating smart routes. For companies that answer multiple daily service calls, a challenge is to figure out what is the most efficient way organize the driver’s day. Route planners calculate the order of the route, the directions of the route, and how long to spend on sites. As a result, fleets took on more jobs throughout the day.

smart routes for fleets

Summary

Fleets have a lot of pain areas to deal with. Driver accountability. Safety. Fuel costs. The list goes on. Fleet vehicle tracking is valuable to fleets because it gives fleet managers a tool to create solutions for these pain areas.

Links

Sault Star: Judge hands transport owner 6 months jail

Geotab: Why Reverse Parking is Safer

Getting Through Winter 2018 – Part 1 | Winter Fleet Maintenance

Posted on | by Jimmy Song

Winter fleet maintenance is once again a popular topic now that winter is almost upon us!

Oh yes, (Or oh no, depending on your seasonal preference!) winter weather is indeed here. Earlier in November, a record cold temperature was set in Toronto. In other areas, large amounts of snow are already on the ground.

How has the early blast of winter affected fleets? For fleet managers, they got a fresh reminder on why winter fleet maintenance is important. Due to the snow and the cold, fleet managers have their hands full with anything from fuel usage to breakdowns.

Let’s take a look at a list of winter issues.

Common Winter Fleet Maintenance Issues

Idling and Fuel Usage

Issue: There is a myth that long periods of idling helps warm up your vehicle.

How long should drivers idle to warm up their vehicle? For some drivers, they leave their vehicle on for several minutes. One driver even left their truck running for 2 hours to try to stay warm! Was idling for several minutes, even hours, effective in keeping drivers warm?

Unfortunately for the idling drivers, the answer is no! Researchers found that modern vehicles only take 30 to 60 seconds to get ready. Anything over a minute leads to wasted time and wasted fuel.

Solution: Educating drivers and using a no-idling policy.

The best solution is education. Some drivers might not know that idling past a minute does not keep them warm. It’s not entirely their fault until told otherwise!

As a result, some fleets implemented a year-round no-idling policy. These fleets tracked idling and identified drivers who need to reduce their idle times. These drivers were then trained on how to reduce idling and on alternatives to staying warm.

Maintenance

Issue: Winter conditions can be punishing for fleet equipment.

Winter is punishing for vehicles. Its extreme conditions damage vehicle components. In fact, out of the year, the winter months are the most likely months for vehicles to break down.

Solution: Fleets should create and use a regular winter fleet maintenance program.

In order to prevent winter breakdowns, regular vehicle checks should be performed. For example, some of the best practices include:

  • Checking lights weekly
  • Checking oil levels, engine coolants, and tire pressures biweekly
  • Checking power steering fluids, windshield fluids, and brake fluids monthly.

Of course, like any regular human, check-ups can be easily forgotten and missed. In order to remind drivers and mechanics, fleets use maintenance programs to create regular tasks.

In addition to sending reminders, fleet maintenance programs actively monitor vehicle health. For example, if the system detects that the vehicle batteries are starting to fail, it will send an alert to the maintenance team. This allows the fleet to take the vehicle off the road and fix it before it breaks down.

Tire Health

Issue: Fleets need to equip appropriate winter tires and maintain their tire pressure.

Besides using winter tires, fleets need to actively monitor tire pressures. Even the best winter tires will underperform if it is not taken care of. How can fleets ensure that winter tires will do its job?

Solution: Drivers need to regularly check tire pressure.

The best practice is to regularly check tires. Experts recommend that tires should be checked multiple times per month. In addition to regular tire checks, a good program to use is a tire pressure monitoring system.

Tire pressure monitoring systems include a dynamic duo of a tire sensor and a tire pressure display. The tire sensor reads tire pressures in real time and sends the information to both in-cab displays and in reports. As a result, drivers and managers can fix under-inflated tires before the vehicle caught in an incident.

Check back in for part 2 of our winter 2018 guide!

Links

CP24: Toronto breaks 79-year-old record as temperature plunges to -10.1 C

CBC: Idling your car in winter not worth your time or gas, driving educator says

RAC: Winter Breakdowns

BusinessFleet: Winter Operation and Maintenance Tips for Fleets

The First 365 Days: Vehicle Tracking Solutions

Posted on | by Jimmy Song

Many fleets – small and big – are installing vehicle tracking solutions. Whether it’s for compliance or for improving productivity, fleets are noticing big changes.

That being said, people usually think about what happens next when a new idea is being implemented. How will the idea fit in immediately? In a week? In a month? Over the next year?

Let’s walk through the first year of using vehicle tracking solutions.

365 days of vehicle tracking

Day 1 to 7: Getting Started.

Onboarding and training

Vehicle tracking solutions are supposed to be easy to use. During the first week, a team of trainers from the fleet solution provider onboards the program. Users can arrange a training meeting is so everyone learns how the program works.

In addition to training, onboarding also involves setting objectives. For example, GoFleet consultants work with fleets to figure out what they want out of the program. After objectives are set, consultants recommend KPIs and set up a dashboard to monitor these areas.

Installation

The other big event is setting up hardware for each vehicle. Depending on the solution, this could mean either professional or self-installation. For example, since GoFleet uses plug-and-play solutions, fleets are able to use their own staff to install devices.

Day 8 – 39: Fixing Immediate Issues

During the first month, immediate issues such as unproductive drivers or unsafe driving are fixed. Here are 2 examples.

Naughty Drivers

After the first month of vehicle tracking, several fleets caught drivers that broke company rules. For example, some drivers were caught taking vehicles on long breaks rather than going to customers. The business quickly moved on to new employees and improved customer satisfaction.

New Driving Policies

In another business, they found that many drivers did not wear their seatbelts. After the first month of tracking, the fleet followed up with individual drivers who failed to wear seatbelts. As a result, seatbelt violations quickly dropped to 0.

Day 40 – 364: Working on KPIs

After fixing immediate problems, fleets can now focus on achieving KPIs. This involves using the vehicle tracking solution to analyze data, create policies, and measure success. Here are a few examples.

working on KPIs

Creating a Driver Engagement Program

Rather than focusing on punishing drivers, some fleets set up reward programs. This is where clean driving reports lead to bonuses. As a result, drivers are encouraged to drive safely and this reflected in a reduction in tickets, accidents, and fuel usage.

Reducing Fuel Usage

Another huge area of opportunity is reducing fuel. For example, one company set idling as a KPI and noticed that they were falling behind. The company responded. They set a no-idling policy and enforced this by sending idling alerts to drivers. By the end of the year, idling dropped to under 10 minutes per day.

Protecting Assets

Vehicle tracking solutions can also increase asset life. For fleets that prioritized preventative maintenance, ideas like active engine checking and service reminders help accomplish this goal. After using these ideas, mechanics found the new process to be easier and more effective.

Day 365: Reviewing Results!

For many fleets, the benefits of vehicle tracking solutions quickly outweighed the cost. For example, for the city of Charlottetown, their system helped improve processes in salt monitoring, idling, and preventive maintenance. This easily saved over $100,000 per year.