Using Fleet Management Solutions to Reduce Road Accidents

Posted on October 10, 2023 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

The implementation of fleet management solutions has become an essential strategy for enhancing road safety. These solutions comprise a suite of tools and technologies designed to monitor and manage the myriad aspects of fleet operation, from vehicle maintenance to driver behavior. Modern logistics and delivery systems rely heavily on fleet operations to address road safety, a fundamental concern for fleets of all sizes. The efficiency of fleet operations is deeply intertwined with the safety of the vehicles and their drivers. As the lifeblood of commerce and community services, fleets are under constant pressure to maintain an impeccable record of safety and reliability. However, with the expansion of the industry and an increasing demand for transportation services, the incidence of fleet-related accidents has become a significant issue, impacting both human lives and business sustainability.

The annual accident rate for commercial fleets hovers around 20%, and this number can climb higher in industries such as pharmaceuticals. This high frequency of incidents is often attributed to the extensive miles fleet drivers cover annually. The repercussions of these accidents are far-reaching, not just for the operators and other road users, but for the businesses that depend on these fleets.

In the United States, for example, the first quarter of a recent year saw a worrying 7% increase in traffic deaths, amounting to 9,560 lives lost—the highest recorded figure for a quarter, as reported by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Moreover, in 2020, there was a staggering 30.1% increase in freight transportation-related fatalities compared to a decade earlier, with trucks accounting for the majority of these incidents.

By leveraging the power of real-time data, predictive analytics, and telematics, fleet management solutions aim to mitigate the risks associated with road travel, ensuring that fleet operations are not only efficient but, most importantly, safe for all.

Understanding Fleet Management Solutions

Fleet management involves overseeing, organizing, and recording all aspects of a company’s transportation fleet. It’s an intricate process that streamlines operations for companies that rely on transportation in business to minimize risks associated with vehicle investment, improve efficiency and productivity, and comply with a stringent regulatory framework. Essentially, fleet management is the nexus between the business’s operational strategy and its mobile assets.

Central to fleet management systems are several key components that harmonize the operations of a fleet:

Vehicle Tracking: Employing GPS technology, vehicle tracking systems provide real-time location data, allowing for meticulous route planning and immediate response to any on-road incidents.
Maintenance Management: Proactive maintenance modules predict and schedule servicing for vehicles based on real-time data and historical information, reducing the likelihood of breakdowns and extending vehicle life spans.
Driver Management: This component focuses on monitoring driver performance, ensuring compliance with driving hours regulations, and identifying areas for improvement through training and feedback.
Safety Management: Integrating tools for monitoring vehicle speed, driver behavior, and compliance with safety policies to help prevent accidents and improve overall road safety.
Compliance: Assuring all vehicles and drivers meet legal and corporate standards and regulations, including emissions standards, Hours of Service (HoS), and tax records.
Fuel Management: Analyzing and controlling fuel consumption to increase efficiency and reduce costs, which also has environmental benefits.

Technology is deeply woven into each component of fleet management, transforming traditional practices with modern solutions. GPS and telematics play a pivotal role, collecting and transmitting valuable data in real-time. The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices allows for the constant monitoring of vehicle health, sending alerts for preventive maintenance before costly breakdowns occur.

On the driver side, technology is employed to monitor driving patterns, helping to identify risky behaviors that can lead to accidents or inefficiencies. Advanced analytics convert the vast streams of data into actionable insights, enabling fleet managers to make informed decisions that align with safety and efficiency goals.

The technological integration in fleet management not only enhances operational efficiency but also fortifies the safety protocols that are vital to reducing road accidents. By embracing these technologies, fleet operations can transition from reactive to proactive management, ensuring the well-being of drivers and the public, while also safeguarding the company’s assets and reputation.

The Role of Fleet Management in Road Safety

The integration of fleet management solutions has shown a significant positive impact on road safety. These solutions address various aspects of fleet operations, from driver behavior to vehicle maintenance, all of which contribute to a reduction in road accidents. Real-world case studies further illustrate the efficacy of these systems.

Case Study #1:

One such case involves an Illinois-based private fleet that faced over 50 preventable accidents monthly. After integrating a comprehensive driver management platform, which consolidated telematics, camera alerts, CSA violations, HR records, accident data, and more, the company saw a drastic change. Despite a 59% increase in their number of drivers, accidents per driver were reduced by 52%, and injuries from accidents dropped by over 26%. Even during periods of rapid growth, this case study demonstrates that the right fleet management system can significantly mitigate risk by enabling data-driven decisions and proactive management.

Case Study #2:

In another such example, the healthcare sector, Adapt Integrated Health Care, which operates a fleet across southwest Oregon, faced operational inefficiencies due to outdated vehicle tracking and key management methods. After implementing fleet management software, they experienced improved operations, which supported their growth from 200 to over 500 employees. The software allowed for better vehicle management and efficient support of their mission, suggesting that it would have needed 55% more vehicles without this system.

Case Study #3:

In yet another case from the City of Stamford, Connecticut, the implementation of a fleet management solution enabled the city to not only manage a large fleet of 1,100 vehicles, but also introduce vehicle sharing policies and reduce its motor pool from 80 to just 29 vehicles. This resulted in savings of $560,000 over two years and projected five-year savings of over $1 million. Additionally, GPS tracking integrated into the system improved maintenance scheduling and driver accountability, highlighting how data-driven decision-making in fleet management can significantly enhance operational efficiency and safety.

These case studies underscore the multifaceted role of fleet management solutions in promoting road safety. By harnessing the power of data, analytics, and technology, organizations can significantly reduce accident rates, improve the safety of their operations, and achieve a better return on investment.

Features of Fleet Management Solutions That Enhance Safety

Real-time Vehicle Tracking and Monitoring

Fleet management solutions offer GPS-based tracking that allows for the constant monitoring of vehicle locations and movements. This feature helps in optimizing routes, responding promptly to emergencies, and ensuring drivers adhere to the planned paths, significantly improving safety.

Predictive Analytics for Vehicle Maintenance

By analyzing vehicle data, predictive analytics can forecast potential maintenance issues before they result in breakdowns. Regular and proactive maintenance ensures that vehicles are always in safe working condition, thereby reducing the risk of accidents caused by vehicle failures.

Driver Behavior Monitoring and Training Tools

Monitoring systems within fleet management can track a driver’s habits, such as speed, braking patterns, and idle times. This data can be used to identify risky behaviors, and in conjunction with driver training tools, can educate drivers on safer driving practices.

The Use of Telematics to Prevent Accidents

Telematics systems can integrate vehicle diagnostics with driver data, providing a comprehensive overview of fleet operations. The insights gathered from telematics can help prevent accidents by ensuring both the vehicle and driver are operating optimally.

Compliance with Road Safety Regulations through Fleet Management Systems

Fleet management systems help ensure compliance with road safety laws by keeping track of necessary documentation, maintenance records, and driver hours. Compliance with these regulations not only prevents legal penalties but also promotes a culture of safety within the fleet.

Implementing Fleet Management Solutions for Safety

Before integrating a fleet management solution into their existing systems, companies must first consider and assess the following:

Assessment of Needs: Begin by evaluating the current system and identifying specific needs and areas for improvement.
Choosing the Right Solution: Select a fleet management solution that aligns with the operational goals and scale of the fleet.
System Integration: Integrate the chosen solution with existing hardware and software, ensuring data flow is seamless across all platforms.
Data Migration and Setup: Transfer all relevant data to the new system and configure settings to match the fleet’s operational processes.

Training Personnel for Maximum Utilization of Fleet Management Tools

Develop Training Programs: Create comprehensive training programs that cover all aspects of the new fleet management tools.
Hands-on Training: Conduct practical sessions to familiarize personnel with the system’s interface and functionalities.
Continuous Learning: Establish ongoing training and support to keep personnel updated on new features and best practices.

Monitoring and Evaluating the Impact on Road Safety

Set Safety Benchmarks: Establish clear metrics to measure the impact of the fleet management system on road safety.
Regular Monitoring: Use the system’s analytics and reporting tools to monitor safety-related data and identify trends.
Evaluation and Adjustment: Regularly assess the system’s effectiveness and make adjustments as necessary to continuously improve safety outcomes.

Challenges and Considerations

Implementing fleet management solutions for safety brings several challenges and considerations that businesses must navigate carefully.

Addressing Privacy Concerns with Driver Monitoring

Privacy concerns are paramount when monitoring driver behavior. Companies must ensure compliance with privacy laws, gain driver consent, and secure data to protect personal information. Transparency about data collection and its purpose can help alleviate concerns and foster a culture of mutual trust.

Balancing Cost and ROI for Small and Medium Enterprises

The cost of fleet management systems can be significant, especially for SMEs. These businesses must weigh the initial investment against the long-term ROI, which includes reduced accidents and operating costs. Solutions tailored for SMEs with scalable features and pricing can offer a balanced approach.

Overcoming Resistance to Technology Adoption within Fleet Operations

Resistance to new technology can be a barrier. Effective change management, including clear communication of benefits, hands-on training, and support, can facilitate a smoother transition. Engaging drivers and staff in the process and addressing their concerns directly can also promote a more accepting attitude towards new fleet management technologies.

The Future of Fleet Safety: Emerging Trends

The future of fleet safety is closely tied to advancements in technology. Emerging trends include the integration of AI and machine learning for more predictive analytics, the use of autonomous vehicles, and the implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) for better vehicle interconnectivity.

Predictions on How These Will Further Enhance Road Safety

As these technologies mature, we can expect them to offer more precise risk assessments, automate responses to potential hazards, and provide more comprehensive safety features. This will likely lead to a decrease in human error-related accidents and a new standard of safety in fleet management.

Final Thoughts

The critical role of fleet management in reducing road accidents cannot be overstated. With the right combination of technology, training, and data analytics, fleet management solutions offer a path to safer roads and more efficient business operations. For industry leaders and businesses looking to make a change, the time to act is now. Investing in these solutions not only enhances safety but also drives economic benefits.

Contact us at GoFleet if you’re ready to customize a fleet management strategy that aligns with your specific needs. Our experts can help you navigate and implement a system that will safeguard your assets, your employees, and the public at large.

Four Key Benefits of Indoor GPS Trackers

Posted on May 2, 2023 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

Four Key Benefits of Indoor GPS Trackers

Indoor GPS trackers are becoming increasingly popular in industries where safety, security, and efficiency are paramount concerns. These innovative devices offer a range of benefits, from tracking the movements of people and assets to providing real-time data on environmental conditions.

However, despite being a treasure trove of benefits, fleet managers and safety professionals may encounter obstacles in fully capitalizing on indoor tracking due to issues such as technological constraints, the costs associated with implementation, and complexities in managing the data.

In this article, we will explore the ways in which indoor GPS trackers can improve safety, security, and efficiency in a variety of settings. We will examine the latest technology and trends in indoor GPS tracking, and discuss how businesses and organizations can implement this technology to enhance their operations and protect their assets.

What Is an Indoor GPS Tracking System?

An indoor GPS tracking system is a type of technology that allows for the tracking and monitoring of people or objects within enclosed spaces such as buildings, warehouses, and factories. Unlike outdoor GPS systems that rely on satellite signals to determine location, indoor GPS systems utilize a combination of technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, or Ultra-Wideband (UWB), to provide location information. Indoor GPS tracking systems can accurately locate and track the movement of individuals or assets within the building.

Indoor GPS trackers have revolutionized the way we keep track of our valuables. These highly advanced positioning systems provide an unprecedented level of accuracy and precision in tracking your belongings, ensuring that they are always safe and secure.

With features like motion detection, geofencing, and real-time notifications, you can rest assured that company assets are always where they should be.

How are Indoor GPS Tracking Systems Implemented?

The use of indoor GPS trackers has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly among large organizations with a large number of expensive assets. These trackers work by using a network of sensors that are strategically placed throughout a building to provide highly accurate location data. This means that you can locate your items within a few meters, even in large indoor spaces like shopping malls, warehouses or airports.

Implementing an indoor GPS tracking system usually involves installing a network of sensors and receivers throughout the facility. The sensors will detect objects, such as cellphones or other tracking devices, and will then send their location data to the receivers. The receivers then process the data and display it in a clear, easy-to-understand format.

What Can an Indoor GPS Tracking System Do?

Indoor GPS trackers have revolutionized the way businesses manage their assets. By connecting these trackers to the cloud, companies can access detailed reports on their item’s activities. This information can be used to make smarter decisions about managing not only those assets, but their organization as a whole. Furthermore, the ability to store data up to 365 days means companies can review past activities as needed.

In addition, signal strength is a critical factor to consider when using indoor GPS trackers. Proper positioning of the trackers and ensuring sufficient signal strength is essential for accurate tracking. Utilizing indoor GPS trackers and connecting them to the cloud increases efficiency and saves time in managing assets while gaining valuable insights to improve decision-making processes.

With an indoor GPS tracking system, you can capitalize on the power of this technology to keep track of the people and things inside your building on a smaller and more precise scale. Companies choose to invest in indoor GPS tracking for a number of purposes, including:

Conducting health and safety checks
Tracking employee productivity
Monitoring asset movement
Improving customer service
Increasing security

Benefits of Using an Indoor GPS Tracking System

Indoor GPS tracking offers companies of all sizes a wide range of benefits, but not all systems are created equal. Here’s a look at some of the most noteworthy features to look for when deciding to invest in this technology.

Enhanced Location Awareness

Indoor GPS trackers have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their efficiency in enhancing safety and security in various facilities. These advanced positioning systems allow business owners and managers to track the movement of people, goods and services within their premises. With the help of these indoor GPS trackers, it becomes easier to identify potential risks, prevent accidents, and ensure the safety of all those present on company grounds.

One of the biggest advantages of indoor GPS trackers is that they can provide real-time updates on the location of people and goods within a facility. This is particularly useful in large warehouses, manufacturing plants, and other industrial settings where the movement of goods and machinery can be difficult to track manually. By using indoor GPS trackers, businesses can reduce the risk of accidents and prevent theft or unauthorized access to sensitive areas.

True location awareness goes beyond just knowing where your assets are at a given time. It requires a holistic, wide-ranging view of how they move, where they’ve been, and who uses them. The right GPS tracking system provides a detailed look at the location history of any asset, making it easy to monitor the routes taken, amount of time spent in one area, and other important metrics.

This same benefit extends to staff as well; an indoor GPS tracking solution improves staff awareness for employees, contractors, and visitors by always knowing who’s in what area. Some solutions automatically update as users move within the building, including when they transition between different floors.

Simplified and Optimized Indoor Operations

Indoor GPS trackers can also help improve employee productivity by identifying areas that are underutilized or overcrowded. This information can be used to optimize workflow, reorganize floor plans, and improve overall efficiency within a facility.

In addition, indoor GPS trackers can also be used to monitor equipment usage, temperature and humidity levels in specific areas, and other important metrics that can impact business operations.

Efficient coordination and management of indoor operations, such as maintenance work, are essential for ensuring that your business runs smoothly and efficiently With GoFleet’s Indoor GPS tracking system, such tasks can be completed quickly and efficiently.

The system provides real-time visibility into the exact location of assets and staff, making it easy to figure out who’s available and where they need to be. Simply open up the interactive map and you’ll know exactly who is available, where they are, and when they need to be somewhere. Settings can be changed with a few clicks, and the system can provide notifications when new tasks arise or deadlines approach.

In addition to being an effective coordination tool, GoFleet’s indoor GPS tracking system can also help optimize staff and asset utilization. By keeping an eye on the movements of your assets, you can identify and eliminate inefficiencies such as long travel times or bottlenecks. This results in smoother operations and improved productivity throughout your organization.

Enhanced Safety Measures

In today’s world, security has become a major concern for both individuals and businesses. With the technology advancements, indoor GPS trackers have emerged as an effective option to enhance security measures.

These trackers are designed to provide an additional layer of security by tracking and monitoring the indoor positioning of people or assets. They can help detect suspicious activity and provide an audit trail in case of theft, vandalism or any other criminal activity.

Indoor GPS trackers use advanced technology such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and RFID’s to track and monitor the location of people or objects indoors. They are highly accurate and reliable, making them an indispensable tool for businesses and individuals who want to ensure the safety of their assets.

Indoor GPS trackers and indoor maps have revolutionized the way we navigate and secure indoor spaces. They provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for facilities management, ensuring the safety of staff, visitors, and assets. With the use of indoor GPS trackers, facility personnel can be alerted in real-time if somebody attempts to enter unauthorized areas, providing round-the-clock protection.

The integration of indoor maps into the system makes it easier to locate assets and people in emergencies, ultimately saving lives. As indoor mapping technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions that will enhance the way we navigate and secure indoor spaces.

Actionable Data Insights

Incorporating indoor GPS trackers can prove to be a fruitful investment for companies looking to enhance their operational efficiencies and reduce costs. These GPS trackers enable businesses to optimize their resources, manage personnel effectively, and conserve energy costs associated with undisturbed spaces.

The technology empowers companies to track the real-time location of their assets, equipment, and employees with high accuracy and signal strength. By monitoring the movements and activities of workers, organizations can identify areas where employees are spending too much time or where there are bottlenecks in the workflow.

This data can then be leveraged to streamline operations, reduce wait times, and enhance overall productivity. Enhancing signal strength is key to ensuring that the tracking technology works reliably and accurately, providing the data needed to make informed decisions.

Tracking technology is capable of generating an incredible amount of data – but understanding it isn’t necessarily easy. That’s why GoFleet’s Indoor GPS tracking system comes with an advanced analytics platform designed to provide detailed, actionable insights into how your organization is performing.

The platform processes and analyzes the data collected by the tracking system in order to give you a more detailed look at what’s happening. Obtain insights into activities taking place within your organization’s facility by analyzing foot traffic patterns, dwell times, and frequencies. Everything is conveniently visualized for you on a dashboard, so you can quickly identify areas for improvement or optimization.

Is an Indoor GPS System Right for Your Business?

In today’s fast-paced business environment, implementing an indoor GPS tracking system is becoming an essential tool for organizations that rely on timely and accurate information on the movement of their employees and assets within a facility.

Indoor positioning technology has the potential to revolutionize the way businesses operate by offering real-time visibility and precise location data. This technology can help companies optimize their operations, improve employee productivity, and enhance customer satisfaction.

However, it is important to note that the benefits of indoor GPS positioning systems extend beyond just workforce productivity and asset management. These systems can also enhance the safety and security of employees by enabling accurate location tracking during emergencies.

Additionally, they can improve the overall customer experience by providing location-based services and personalized promotions. As businesses continue to invest in advanced positioning systems, they are poised to unlock significant operational efficiencies and competitive advantages in their respective markets.

Whether or not an indoor GPS tracking system is right for your business will depend on several factors, including the size of your facility and the type of operations you are running. But with the increasing availability and affordability of these systems, more and more companies are turning to them for improved safety, security, and efficiency. If you have large indoor spaces that need to be monitored, an indoor GPS tracking system is definitely worth considering.

Indoor GPS trackers offer immense benefits to businesses and organizations striving to enhance safety, security, and efficiency. The latest technology in indoor GPS tracking provides accurate location data in challenging environments such as hospitals, warehouses, and factories. By implementing indoor GPS tracking solutions, businesses can improve their asset management and optimize operations, ultimately leading to increased productivity and profitability.

The key is to find the right provider who can help you set up and maintain a system that meets your unique needs. GoFleet is a great place to start – we provide a wide range of GPS tracking products for companies of all sizes. Contact us today to learn more about how you can benefit from our advanced solutions.

Five Benefits of Fleet Management Systems

Posted on December 14, 2022 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

Fleet management systems can facilitate nearly every aspect of day-to-day operations and offer numerous benefits beyond the traditional way of doing things. Fleet management is a full-time job. Not only do managers juggle multiple responsibilities – from inventory to driver safety – they’re also challenged to remain competitive. Luckily, technology has evolved to the point where fleet managers have more options.

In this article, we’ll explore these advantages in detail and explain why fleet management systems are a must for any organization looking to gain a competitive edge.

Understanding Fleet Management Systems

Sometimes referred to as fleet management software, these digital solutions are designed to provide fleet managers with an easy-to-use platform for managing every aspect of their operations – from scheduling, dispatching, and routing to tracking, monitoring, and more.

The Benefits of Implementing a Fleet Management System

Not all fleet managers are eager to jump on board with fleet management software. Some see it as an unnecessary expense or a poor allocation of resources; after all, why go through the trouble of implementing something new when the same old system still ‘works’?

Fleet management software offers a lot of advantages that the traditional approach simply can’t match. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the five most crucial benefits of fleet management software.

1. Greater Visibility Into Fleet Operations and Status

The multi-tasked, risk-prone nature of fleet operations means that companies need full visibility of their vehicles and operators at all times. To this end, fleet management systems make tracking scalable and easy.

The combination of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and On-board Diagnostics (OBD) in enabled vehicles allows managers to track every aspect of their operations in real-time, from the exact location of each vehicle on the road to engine diagnostics and fuel consumption. This level of insight ensures managers can always keep tabs on their fleet, giving them the ability to act quickly in the event of any disruptions or changes.

2. Enhanced Driver Safety

Drivers are a company’s most precious asset, and warrant as much protection as possible. Fleet management software provides that extra layer of safety; it helps managers monitor driver behaviour and ensures everyone is following protocol.

In cases where risky driving behaviour is detected, a fleet manager is immediately alerted. This can be extremely valuable in terms of mitigating risk and preventing accidents.

Fleet management software also helps managers optimize routes to avoid high-traffic areas or bad weather, as well as track driver hours to ensure they aren’t going over their hours of service (HOS).

Altogether, this software acts as an extra set of ‘eyes and ears’ for managers, ensuring their drivers are always safe and on task.

3. Improved Vehicle Efficiency

Another major advantage of fleet management software is its power to improve vehicle efficiency. By tracking every aspect of a vehicles’ performance, managers can identify opportunities for improving fleet efficiency.

Additionally, managers can use the real-time information provided by the system to plan better routes and optimize fuel consumption. This can help keep operational costs down and maximize vehicle downtime, resulting in fewer repairs and less wasted time.

4. Better Maintenance Programs

Proper maintenance is essential to keeping a fleet running. But the traditional approach can be challenging for managers to keep on top of things; relying on manual checks and checklists can lead to forgotten tasks, missed deadlines, and unreliable results.

Fleet management software simplifies the process by providing detailed overviews of each vehicle’s condition and alerting managers when maintenance is due. Vehicle usage patterns can also lead to developing preventative maintenance schedules.

5. Reduced Overall Costs

From more productive and efficient operations to saving fuel and preventing accidents, fleet management software helps businesses save a lot of money in the short and long-run.

Fleet management software has become an essential tool for businesses to efficiently manage their fleets. By providing detailed insights and offering a host of safety and efficiency benefits, it can save companies a lot of time and money while helping them keep their vehicles in top condition.

It’s no wonder that more and more fleet managers are investing in these systems to get the most out of their operations. Contact your GoFleet consultant today for your free demonstration, and find out which solution is right for you.

Road Accidents: 7 Statistics You Shouldn’t Ignore

Posted on August 23, 2022 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

Fleet managers can’t create a culture of safety within their organization without first acknowledging the role that road accidents plays in their day-to-day operations.

There is an alarming increase of late in road accidents; on average, collisions cost fleet companies up to $75,000 in associated damages and it seems the numbers are climbing.

With this in mind, many companies are opting to implement measures to mitigate and ensure both driver and vehicle safety. In this article, we’ll discuss the unsettling numbers, facts and statistics with regards to road safety that should give you pause.

1. Drivers Who Have Previous Infractions are More Likely to be Involved in Fatal Road Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that a staggering 21% of large truck drivers who had a prior record of non-fatal collisions were involved in fatal road accidents in 2020.

What’s more, 19% of all drivers involved in deadly incidents had at least one speeding violation on their record.

2. Large Trucks Make Up 9% of Vehicles Involved in Deadly Collisions

It may not come as a surprise, but large trucks currently account for over 9% of vehicles involved in fatal crashes on the road, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). The same report says that these incidents caused a total of 107,000 injuries and 4,842 fatalities in 2020 alone.

Of those who died, 17% were the occupants of a truck, 71% of passenger vehicles and 12% cyclists or pedestrians. The majority of fatalities (63%) occurred during daylight hours as well, which goes to show that truck safety is an issue that impacts everyone, day or night.

3. Over 1.35 Million People Die in Road Collisions Every Year

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.35 million people die each year as a result of crashes, with young males representing the majority of fatalities.

The WHO also reports that traffic accidents are currently the leading cause of death among people aged between 15-29 years old.

These accidents are also the eighth leading cause of death globally for all age groups, a rank that the WHO predicts will rise to seventh place by the year 2030.

4. Speeding is Directly Linked to a Higher Likelihood of Death in Road Collisions

There is a direct correlation between speeding and death as a result of an auto collision. So much so in fact, that the WHO reports that for every 1% a driver increases speed over the limit, there is an associated 3% increase in the severity of a potential crash and a 4% higher likelihood of it resulting in death.

To put this into context, your risk of dying in a crash would increase by 40% just by going 10 kilometres faster in a 100 km/h zone.

5. Road Accidents Will Cost the Global Economy $1.8 Trillion by the Year 2030

Road crashes aren’t just deadly – they’re expensive too.

According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), both non-fatal and fatal collisions cost the global economy the equivalent of a yearly tax rate of 0.12%. This is expected to amount to a total of $1.8 trillion by the year 2030.

On a smaller but no less significant scale, road accidents cost companies tens of thousands of dollars in replacement vehicles, insurance premiums and liability suits.

It’s estimated that a collision can cost somewhere between $16,000-$75,000, and those numbers can skyrocket if there’s a death involved.

6. Almost Half of Road Fatalities Involve Cases in Which Occupants Were Not Wearing Seat belts

Despite the implementation of seat belt laws in the 1960s, nearly 10% of Americans do not use them, according to 2021 NHTSA data.

Findings show that 47 percent of all road fatalities in the United States involved cases where passengers were not wearing seat belts, and that 55 percent of people killed at night were also without seat belts on.

Approximately 7% of Canadians don’t wear seat belts, according to Transport Canada, which accounts for 40% of deaths in road collisions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration adds that airbags are built to protect people wearing a seat belt in their seats correctly. The force of an airbag inflating could harm or kill you if you are not properly buckled up.

7. Distracted Drivers Are up to Four Times More Likely to be Involved in Road Accidents

It’s no secret that distracted driving is a major problem on the roads, but just how big of an issue is it?

According to the CAA, distracted drivers are up to four times more likely to be involved in a collision than those who are not distracted. The CAA lists things like talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, fiddling with the music, and even daydreaming as distractions that could lead to an accident.

In fact, taking your eyes off the road for as little as two seconds can double your risk of crashing.

The good news? Knowledge is power. There will always be risks associated with your fleet on the road, but an ounce of prevention and rigorous attention to safety can help you and your drivers prevent accidents before they happen.

Fuel Economy for Fleets and Improved Productivity

Posted on July 5, 2022 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

Fuel is one of the most fluid factors – literally and figuratively – to determine the success of fleet management. Whether one considers price hikes or supply chain issues, fuel economy for fleets remains top of mind for all fleet companies.

While you may not be able to control the fuel market’s volatility, there are factors to consider when it comes to fuel consumption; namely how much your vehicles use, and where you can find areas of improvement.

In this article, we’ll discuss fuel efficiency and how a fleet management solution can positively impact your bottom line.

Why Focus on Fuel?

Fuel expenses constitute up to 60% of a fleet’s operational costs, making it the second-largest expense for most fleets and an ideal area of focus when looking to optimize a fleet’s operational efficiency.

Investing in a solution that optimizes your fleet and makes it more fuel efficient has a profound impact on your company’s budget and environmental sustainability efforts – two areas of focus for most of today’s business leaders.

What Affects Fuel Economy for Fleets?

There are a variety of factors that affect fuel efficiency, including:

Idling
Speeding
Driving Habits
Payload
Route planning and optimization

Fortunately, fleet management solutions can help fleet managers keep tabs on all of these factors – and more – to ensure optimal fuel efficiency.

Idling

Leaving a vehicle’s engine running while parked or not in use is a major contributor to wasted fuel. In fact, idling for just ten seconds can consume the same amount of fuel as restarting the engine.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), vehicles that idle more than 50% of the time when in use require more maintenance and cost fleets more money.

While there may be some instances where idling is unavoidable, such as in the case of emergency vehicles or delivery trucks that need to keep their refrigerators running, an automated, scalable fleet management system can identify idling patterns and offer solutions.

Speeding

While speeding may get drivers to their destination more quickly, it also significantly reduces fuel efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that for every 5 mph over 50 mph, fuel economy for fleets decreases significantly.

A fleet management solution, such as GPS tracking, allows fleet managers to monitor speeding events and correct them in real-time. Some fleet management solutions also trigger speed limit alerts that notify drivers when they are exceeding the posted limit.

Vehicle Weight

A recent UK study found that fuel consumption increased by 0.112 mpg on average for every tonne of payload added. Essentially, the heavier a vehicle, the more fuel it will consume. That’s why it’s important to ensure that vehicles are not carrying unnecessary weight, even when it’s in the spirit of reducing trips.

Telematics data is one way to monitor your vehicles and their payload to ensure compliance with weight restrictions. For example, a fuel management system enables fleet managers to track fuel usage patterns across their fleet.

Driving Habits

It’s not just speeding that can impact fuel economy for fleets. Aggressive driving habits, such as hard acceleration and braking, can also lead to wasted fuel. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that “jack-rabbit” starts and harsh braking can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40%.

Fortunately, telematics data can help to identify patterns of aggressive driving so that fleet managers can address the issue with drivers. In addition, some fleet management solutions offer features such as driver coaching that can help to improve driving habits and optimize fuel efficiency.

Route Planning and Optimization

An inefficient or poorly planned route can lead to a lot of wasted fuel – not to mention wasted time. By using a fleet management solution, fleet managers can plan and optimize routes based on real-time traffic data, which can help avoid congestion and reduce travel time.

In addition, some solutions offer route planning and optimization features that take into account factors such as vehicle weight and payload, which can further improve fuel efficiency.

Invest In a Fleet Management Solution

Incorporating a management solution into your fleet is a big decision, but one that pays off in many ways, including reducing your fuel costs.

When choosing a fleet management solution, it’s important to consider your company’s specific needs and choose a solution that not only offers the features you need to optimize your fleet’s performance, but does so in a way that permits growth as your fleet expands.

Look for a solution that offers comprehensive telematics data around things like fuel usage, idling, speeding, and more.

Furthermore, a good route planning and optimization tool can help you to plan the most efficient routes for your fleet, which can save you time and money.

Finally, a solution that provides real-time alerts based on triggered events can help keep your drivers from speeding and wasting fuel.

Managers can make a significant difference in cost savings and fuel economy for fleets. Contact your GoFleet consultant to see which fleet management system is right for you.

How Telematics Improves Fleet Management

Posted on June 9, 2022 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

As the commercial fleet industry continues to grow, evolve and adapt, having the right tools in your vehicles can help with improved productivity and efficiency. To that end, there are a number of ways in which telematics improves fleet management.

As fleet safety managers and owners work to retain drivers and integrate systems, it’s essential to consider fleet efficiency and new engagement opportunities. To that end, telematics provides valuable insights and data, changing the game in fleet management technology.

What is Telematics?

Telematics brings together two key areas – telecommunications and informatics. Telematics devices collect and transmit data on commercial vehicle use. This includes maintenance requirements and servicing needs.

Using telematics, it is possible for fleet managers to coordinate the vehicles they manage. It also enables them to have a complete view of the profitability, health, and productivity of their fleet at any time.

How Telematics Improves Fleet Management

What does telematics do for your organization? When it comes to investing in fleet management software or solutions, understanding the direct impact on your business’s bottom line is critical. Here are a few ways that telematics can help you to do that.

Decreased Fuel Costs

With fuel costs on the rise, it is critical to have a plan in place to reduce operational costs. Telematics can help identify areas of waste. For example, it can help identify problems with fuel slippage and idling, both of which can increase costs dramatically.

Additionally, telematics enables better route planning and can create alternative routes that are more fuel (and time) efficient. Other examples of reducing unnecessary mileage and improving fuel efficiency using telematics include:

Improving driver behaviours that often increase fuel costs, such as harsh braking, idling or speeding
Creating maintenance schedules in a timely manner so as to reduce vehicle stress and improve overall engine health

Improving Overall Fleet Safety

Telematics improves the safety of your vehicles and your drivers, which contributes to your fleet’s financial gain, especially with regards to reducing insurance claims and accident-related liability claims.

A continuous feed of recorded video footage allows fleet managers to assess driving habits, and to provide live in-cab coaching when an event is triggered. Ongoing training and coaching is just one of the services that telematics provides, and is equally useful in the moment, or for creating better driving behaviour in the future.

Secondly, the same video footage can be collected and reviewed in the event of an incident, identifying who was at fault and potentially reducing false claims while lowering insurance premiums, all of which feed into the safety and security of your fleet.

Improved Productivity

Telematics includes real-time GPS data that can be used to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Directly and indirectly, this increases driver productivity.

Accurate, real-time data can identify delays due to traffic and create alternative routes. It can also help fleet managers plan for poor weather that may keep drivers off the road, allowing them to adjust timelines or routes to minimize risk.

In addition, telematics data provides a bird’s eye view of your fleet. If the office manager needs to add a new stop or change a destination, having a holistic overview of your vehicles’ activities can help.

Better Financial Management

Because telematics provides better insight into vehicle start and end times, it helps manage compliance requirements, such as hours of service (HOS).

From a business standpoint, telematics allows you to get the most out of your resources by identifying money going in and out of your fleet.

An Empowering and Essential Tool

Every fleet needs as much useful, targeted data about their vehicles as possible. Telematics can help organizations improve operational efficiency, save time and money.

At GoFleet, we have the telematics solution for your fleet, regardless of size. Contact us today to see how telematics can fit your organization.

Fuel Management Systems: How to Get Ahead

Posted on April 14, 2022 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

Like it or not, fuel is the biggest expenditure for efficient fleet management. A custom fuel management system is the perfect solution to understand gas consumption within your fleet.

Many fleet managers are incorporating fuel management systems into their daily operations. Leveraging telematics technology offers valuable insights into fuel usage and allows you to optimize this valuable asset across the board.

A fuel management system enables fleet managers to track fuel usage patterns across their fleet. A typical automated fuel management system includes onboard hardware such as vehicle telematics units, data loggers, sensors, and cameras, as well as an in-office analytics dashboard and fuel management software.

Extra integrations and mobile apps are also popular features of these systems.

Without a fuel management system in place, managers often find themselves overspending on fuel and repairs, and drivers may run out of fuel as the result of a misgauged fuel meter or taking trips without optimized routes.

What Are the Benefits of a Fuel Management System?

Fleet management is comprised of a number of factors outside of vehicles; there are operating systems, assets and expenditures to take into account.

A fuel management system allows fleet managers to monitor asset usage for gasoline, diesel, truck repairs and maintenance services. These systems also generate compliance reports, limit operational risks, provide real-time fuel consumption data, and optimize fuel allocation, giving managers a truly holistic overview of their fleet.

Benefits for Fleet Managers

According to a recent study, aggressive driving increases fuel costs by up to 30%. The study also notes that unsafe or aggressive driving behaviours in urban areas drive air pollutant emissions up by 40%, regardless of the road grade.

With a well-developed fuel management system, fleet managers can track data like fuel usage, road grade, operational risks, real-time trip statistics, fuel consumption data, fuel allocation, and much more.

This data can also help them improve route planning and asset utilization, develop more effective vehicle maintenance schedules, and gain holistic insights into fuel economy.

Benefits for Drivers

Drivers benefit from data sets provided by fuel management systems as well. For example, refueling alerts, streamlined receipt/expense management and route optimization all offer drivers a safer, more efficient trip.

Fuel theft and unauthorized use of fuel continues to be a persistent issue, so ensuring that each and every fleet vehicle has a monitoring system in place can save your drivers from suspicion.

No matter what your fleet does, what products or services they deliver, or how many vehicles are involved, fleet management is an important tool that can help optimize assets and minimize expenses.

Why are Fuel Management Systems Important?

Small issues can become serious ones if not repaired in a timely manner. According to Intellias:

Flat or under-inflated tires can reduce mileage by up to 30%
Engine problems reduce mileage by 4% on average
Faulty oxygen sensors cut up to 40% off mileage
Brake drag can also affect driver safety and fuel consumption.

A fuel tracking system can track anomalies in your fleet’s fuel consumption, which can be either indicative of potential maintenance issues or the result of driving behaviour.

With detailed and real-time data on fuel usage and expenditures, a fleet manager can ensure that assets are properly distributed, repairs are managed as needed, and that drivers are supported and well-prepared to do their jobs.

Many mechanical issues can impact fuel consumption, including the amount of fuel used, mileage, the quality and safety rating of your engines, the cost of fuel, and repair services.

Having a properly developed fuel management system can help mitigate these risks and expenses not only by giving you a window into your fleet’s performance, but by protecting your drivers and overall fleet performance.

The more advanced these systems become, the more predictive they can be, which means you can identify the best scheduling sequence for vehicle repairs.

Fuel management systems can mitigate logistical issues, and in many cases can prevent them from happening in the first place.

How Can I Create a Fuel Management System?

Developing and installing a custom fuel management system is no easy feat, but the professionals at GoFleet can help you build a regulatory monitoring system designed for your fleet’s specific needs.

Whether you need to measure fuel levels in real-time, identify fuel consumption patterns per vehicle or detect fueling locations, a fuel management system will enable you to do just that.

The priorities for any fuel management system are convenience and control. If you’re looking to install a fleet management system for your team’s vehicles, contact us at GoFleet for a consultation today.

A Beginner’s Guide to Fleet Management

Posted on April 7, 2022 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

Effective fleet management provides organizations with real-time visibility into their logistic operations and increases efficiency through vehicle routing and accurate reporting. Fleet maintenance management software paired with vehicle telematics can help support your day-to-day transportation needs while providing an overview of your business. Below is a beginner’s guide to fleet management.

What Is Fleet Management?

Fleet management has gained popularity over the past few years based on its reputation for guaranteeing efficient performance, optimum fleet maintenance and helping organizations run smoothly.

Fleet management refers to all actions allowing a fleet to run on time, efficiently, and within a given budget.

Similarly, it can be defined as the process by which fleet managers monitor the fleet’s activities by applying asset management, vehicle dispatch, and routing to make informed decisions.

Benefits of Fleet Management

You can maximize the efficiency of your fleet using fleet management software or by hiring reliable fleet managers.

Here are the major benefits of fleet management, and how they can improve your bottom line.

Ability to Manage Fleets Remotely

With all the various components that require coordination and organization, managing a fleet of any size can be difficult.

Luckily, fleet management software allows you to track all components remotely, thus simplifying coordination. Features such as vehicle tracking, and vehicle routing allow you to monitor the current location of your vehicles and find the easiest route.

Increase in Vehicle Lifespan

The GPS feature on vehicles allows easy monitoring of performance and identifies possible vehicle damage. It is easier to detect potential maintenance issues when you have access to logistics such as mileage and tire wear.

Being well informed allows you to carry out and perform timely maintenance, thus improving the lifespan of your vehicle.

Improved Safety

Fleet management software allows managers to trace the location of a vehicle and keep up with the driver’s behaviour. Most fleet management software has a video recording feature to help monitor driving behaviour while on the road.

This prevents dangerous behaviours such as drowsy or distracted driving, thus improving the vehicle’s safety and consignment.

Reduced Costs

Fleet management software comes with built-in tools such as GPS tracking to help with vehicle routing, which can help you determine the shortest route when making deliveries and eliminate costly lead times.

Fleet management software also provides accurate reports on your vehicles’ performance and total costs incurred during deliveries. These features all play an important role in cost reduction.

Central Data Management

It is a lot easier to organize and coordinate your fleet when all your data is centrally located. Fleet management software provides valuable data sets on demand, from a central (often cloud-based) location.

Improved Customer Service

Customers look forward to working with businesses whose feedback reflects accurate, reliable deliveries.

With fleet management software, you improve customer satisfaction by ensuring all the information you share with them is up to date. Additionally, the software will aid in tracking the current location of consignments.

Preventing Fraud

As a fleet manager, you have trust in your drivers. However, driver fraud does happen and requires even the most well-intentioned managers to stay vigilant.

Drivers who use their fuel card for reasons other than fueling company vehicles or falsely claiming card misplacement are both well-documented examples of driver fraud. Other examples include drivers using their own credentials to allow non-approved drivers to operate company vehicles.

An AI-powered fleet management system prevents fraud and helps promote transparency among your drivers.

Maintain Communication

Fleet management software equips your fleet with a built-in communication tool that allows you to make contact with your drivers directly.

As a result, drivers can communicate in real-time while on the road, without compromising safety or missing deliveries.

Vehicle Routing

Planning the day’s business in advance helps everything work seamlessly. A fleet management system can help you effectively assign vehicles, routes and drivers.

6 Tips For Effective Fleet Management

What are some of the fleet management steps can you incorporate into your operations, and where should you begin? Below, we offer some suggestions for managing your fleet more effectively.

1. Set Your Goals

If you want to be successful at managing your fleet, establish your business goals and monitor your progress from time to time.

Your goals should be specific, well defined and adequately aligned to the success of your business. Have a common objective to keep your team united and avoid the need for micromanagement.

2. Track Everything

Data is crucial in helping make sound business decisions. Having all necessary data on how your vehicles and drivers perform on a daily basis is essential.

Maintain a track record of how much fuel your vehicles consume, driver performance, and when deliveries are made. Keeping detailed records helps predict future outcomes and keeps your operations predictable.

3. Choose the Right Fleet Vehicles

Before purchasing or leasing any fleet vehicles, it is essential to assess your business needs. The vehicles you acquire should meet the size and scope of your operations, both in current and future states.

Purchasing too many vehicles up front could mean that several of them remain unused. Acquire too few, and your drivers – and trucks – could burn out.

4. Think About your Drivers

The credentials of your drivers ensure the safety of your fleet and consignment.

Having certified drivers with the right skillsets translates to better business performance, significantly reducing unnecessary costs and repairs.

5. Spend Wisely

As a fleet manager, you should consider all costs incurred through vehicles and equipment that are purchased, leased, or rented.

Spending your capital effectively depends on your knowledge base of strategies that help you meet return-on-investment goals. You should also consider available resources, flexible strategies, and any maintenance costs that change your business’s operational needs.

6. Invest in Fleet Management Software

Investing in technology-based systems such as fleet management software will help you utilize fleet intelligence, improve operational efficiency and properly manage your business.

Fleet management software continually improves the efficiency and productivity of your business by lowering costs and enhancing both customer and employee satisfaction, eventually leading to revenue growth and profitability.

What is Fleet Management Software?

Your fleet likely runs on data. Fleet management software acts as the “brain” behind your operations. The right fleet management solution will continually play a vital role in ensuring that fleet management activities are well coordinated and properly executed.

In addition, fleet management software records vehicle operations in real-time, allowing you to stay on top of maintenance and avoid potential breakdowns.

How Fleet Management Software Can Improve Fleet Safety

Fleet management is a data-driven process. It requires the involvement of multiple moving parts to function effectively.

It can help improve safety in several ways:

Real-time audio and visual feedback.
24/7 access to safety-related analytics, which can prevent accidents.
Driver performance applications keep your drivers safe and accountable.
Accurately records footage before, during, and after a reported incident. Footage can help prevent future accidents, assign liability and potentially exonerate your drivers.

A successful fleet management program tracks, analyzes, and optimizes your fleet. For more information, contact a GoFleet representative, and see how our fleet management solutions can benefit your business.

Telematics Can Help Your Fleet Reduce Fuel Costs

Posted on March 31, 2022 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

Benjamin Franklin famously said that “nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Given today’s fractured economic climate, one could easily add the skyrocketing cost of fuel to that list.

In the transportation industry, fleet managers are challenged to mitigate rising fuel costs without compromising other aspects of their business. Many companies have chosen to add electric vehicles to their fleet. While these vehicles definitely save on fuel costs, they can be cost prohibitive.

So how can one maintain fuel efficiency across their fleet without impacting their budget? Telematics might just hold the answer.

Using telematics to reduce fuel costs

Telematics combines telecommunications and informatics. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) automatically record hours-of-service (HOS) and driving time data.

Through the use of GPS and communication technologies, telematics provides fleet managers with data about vehicle location, vehicle use, kilometres driven, idle time, fuel economy, driver behaviour, and engine maintenance.

Within the transportation industry, telematics can track all aspects of the vehicle, from electrical, mechanical engineering to software engineering.

In the context of saving fuel costs, telematics controls and monitors vehicles on the move; it acts as a single monitor for all the different sensory and electrical features of your vehicles, including fuel efficiency, all the while providing data on-demand and in real-time.

Here are just a few of the ways that telematics can help you reduce fuel costs.

Improving driving habits

Everyone develops bad habits over time, and commercial drivers are no exception. Idling, aggressive driving and sudden acceleration can all add up to large fuel costs.

With telematics data, fleet managers can receive alerts in real-time, allowing them to coach the driver to prevent future incidents. Many of these telematics systems are paired with powerful software packages to help track vehicle activity and manage fuel consumption.

Telematics can also help you keep scorecards for your drivers, allowing them to challenge each other, and themselves, to improve their performance on the road.

Deterring fuel theft

Telematics solutions in your vehicles can be accessed remotely to help you keep track of fuel usage. Instant alerts let you know if there is any suspicious behaviour around fuel consumption.

Monitoring and maintaining diesel fuel levels

A poorly maintained diesel exhaust fuel (DEF) level can have an adverse effect on your vehicles’ mechanics, resulting in inefficient use of fuel, and an unfavourable impact on the environment.

Telematics ensures that DEF maintenance is optimal. These solutions send real-time data alerts when diesel exhaust levels are not on par with the emission regulation threshold.

Providing proactive maintenance schedule alerts

Regardless of the telematics solution you choose for your fleet, running full-time diagnostics should always be a priority, especially if fuel conservation is a pain point.

If the device senses that something isn’t running as it’s supposed to, it proactively sends an alert to the driver, while simultaneously alerting the repair centre.

Maintenance alerts slow down the gradual wear and tear on your vehicles and helps prevent future breakdowns, all of which help you save on fuel costs.

Optimizing existing routes and finding new ones

The data collected by GPS integration (common in most telematics systems) can be used to find better, safer routes, which can reduce not only the overall travel time, but the amount of fuel it takes to reach your destination.

GPS can also provide real-time traffic or route status; in the event of heavy traffic, this feature can help you find an alternative route and avoid idling.

General tips on reducing fuel costs

The alerts provided by telematics give you a holistic overview of your fleet. Most of these alerts have a direct impact on fuel consumption and acting on them can create big savings with minimal effort.

Here are a few of the diagnostics that telematics can track and alert you to in order to save fuel:

Keeping tires properly inflated. You can increase your gas mileage by up to 3% by keeping tires inflated to the correct pressure.
Reducing the use of air conditioners and heaters, or keeping them at optimal levels.
Staying on top of alignments and other scheduled maintenance work. Regular maintenance not only improves fuel efficiency, it also minimizes the risk of accidents.
Telematics can identify if the vehicle’s payload is too heavy, which can cause damage to your fleet and exponential gas consumption.
You can improve gas mileage by using the vehicle’s recommended grade of motor oil. Motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the packaging can also support your fuel-saving efforts with friction-reducing additives.

Conclusion

Whether you choose a telematics solution that gives you real-time feedback on fuel consumption or provides data to help you make informed decisions about maintenance and vehicle replacement, the fact remains that telematics can improve the status of your vehicles while having a positive impact on your bottom line.

The benefits of telematics during the labour shortage

Posted on March 23, 2022 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

When it comes to transportation of goods and services, truck drivers are the adhesive that holds the supply chain together. Given their importance, finding, hiring, and retaining truck drivers has proven to be more difficult than ever.

Once thought of solely as a system for improving operational efficiency, there is now opportunity to leverage telematics for driver retention.

By the end of this article, you will gain insight into the present trucking industry, and how the use of telematics can make a big difference with the current labour shortage.

What is ‘telematics’?

In broad terms, telematics is a field that combines telecommunications and informatics. Informatics involves the working of computer systems – the science involved in the processing of information, its storage, and retrieval.

When you apply this combination to vehicles, telematics becomes a highly sophisticated computing system that can track all aspects of the vehicle, from electrical, mechanical engineering to software engineering.

The use of telematics in the context of vehicle use often involves the following:

Using telecommunications to send, receive and store information to help control remote objects.
The combined use of telecommunications, and informatics to control and monitor vehicles that are on the move.
The use of GPS to help with the navigation and live tracking of vehicles.

Telematics acts as a single monitor for all the different sensory and electrical features of your vehicle, all the while providing instant information on a single vehicle, or an entire fleet, on demand and in real-time.

The trucking industry’s labour shortage

According to a recent report from the American Trucking Association (ATA), the shortage in truck drivers hit an all-time high of over 80,000 drivers in 2021.

The most prevalent causes were:

Demographics – The average age of current drivers is above 50, leading to more retirees and fewer hires year over year.
Fewer female drivers – According to the same ATA report, women only make up 7% of the overall existing drivers.
Lack of new drivers – The availability of potential drivers on par with a truck carrier’s hiring standard is extremely low.
Lifestyle –The lifestyle of the average truck driver is another important factor that deters people from choosing truck driving as a profession. Long hours, irregular meals and sleeping patterns all contribute to the decline.
The pandemic – Among the many people that were temporarily laid off due to COVID, most did not come back.

This labour shortage will be acutely felt for a long time and may persist until the trucking industry increases its bandwidth to allow younger drivers into the fold and/or improves its hiring and training practices.

Mitigating the labour shortage

There are two parts to managing the labour shortage. The first and most self-evident is to make the driving profession more lucrative and attractive to potential drivers, including:

Offering fair wages with extra benefits, including solid health insurance and pension plans.
An increase in freight rates.
A refresh in the truck industry’s branding, making it an appealing and viable career path.
Better work schedules and route assignment for improved work/life balance.

The second solution would be the adoption of technology. Telematics has massive potential to help your workforce mitigate the labour shortage while providing attractive solutions that make everyone’s job easier in the short and long-term.

How telematics can help

Telematics has the power to improve the working conditions of your existing and future drivers in a very significant way.

The benefits of telematics from a business perspective

Improves productivity and efficiency: The data collected by integrated GPS found in most telematics systems can be used to optimize routes, which reduces the overall time spent on the road, reduces delivery times, and improves fuel usage.
Reduces operation costs: All the improvements listed in the previous statement help reduce operational costs. Moreover, since telematics tracks and keeps records of virtually everything that has to do with the vehicle, there are opportunities to identify potential issues within your vehicles before they happen, thus improving operational costs and maximizing fleet efficiency.
Automates payroll management: With the time and distance data provided by telematics, it becomes easier to manage payroll without having to worry about clerical errors.
Streamlines telecommunications: Telematics systems help you seamlessly streamline all forms of end-to-end communication within your business operations, from customers to drivers.
Offers proactive maintenance and repair alerts: The diagnostics data provided by telematics can help you maintain your fleet and keep everything in working order. Issues can be flagged to your driver while also alerting your repair centre, preventing break downs before they happen.
Attracts and retains drivers: This is the most important benefit given the subject of this article. Vehicles fitted with telematics technology will always prove to be more attractive, and the many features that the tech offers, especially in them being engaged, and not disconnected over miles of long lonely road, will certainly help in their retention.

The benefits of telematics from a driver’s perspective

Improves safety and compliance: The built-in driver monitoring software encourages drivers to comply with all regulatory driving standards. This goes a long way in avoiding, and preventing accidents, ensuring the overall health, and safety of the drivers.
Opportunities for real-time coaching: Virtually everyone develops bad driving habits over time. Whether it’s harsh braking, frequent acceleration or failing to use a turn signal, telematics can identify these occurrences and alert both you and your driver to these behaviours as soon as they happen, giving you an opportunity to correct and coach in real-time.
Increases job safety: Contrary to popular belief, telematics isn’t the digital, overbearing “Big Brother” that everyone thinks. There are lots of ways to introduce telematics to your drivers that frame it as a benefit; less in-cab surveillance and more of an insurance policy that helps prevent accidents, exonerate your drivers and keep them safe.

Conclusion

While there is no singular solution to fix the entire trucking industry, an organized business that leverages telematics data not only lures prospective employees, but it can also help your organization use your existing drivers and vehicles more efficiently while keeping them safe on the road.

For more information, contact your GoFleet consultant and ask us how we can keep you and your staff in the driver’s seat.