{"id":19660,"date":"2017-12-07T09:00:07","date_gmt":"2017-12-07T14:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gofleet.com\/?p=19660"},"modified":"2024-12-18T23:05:27","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T04:05:27","slug":"2018-winter-fleet-operations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gofleet.com\/2018-winter-fleet-operations\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Through Winter 2018 | Part 2: Winter Fleet Operations"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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\u2019s weather system closely matches some of the strongest winters in recent years.<\/p>\n

In our second guide for winter 2018, we will take a look at how to improve winter fleet operations<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Common Winter Fleet Operations Issues<\/h2>\n

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Mother Nature<\/h3>\n

Issue:<\/strong> Winter weather disrupts business.<\/p>\n

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, \u201cBlizzard warning in effect. Traffic will be delayed.\u201d Then, the driver calls and says that they are stranded. Ouch!<\/p>\n

Winter can be brutal for fleets. Drivers often struggle with weather delays and have to go through unsafe roads<\/a>. How can fleets balance customer expectations with weather delays?<\/p>\n

Solution:<\/strong> Fleets need to plan ahead and regularly communicate with drivers.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Defensive Driving<\/h3>\n

Issue:<\/strong> Winter driving is dangerous<\/a> and drivers need to be extra careful.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Some of the best practices of winter driving<\/a> include:<\/p>\n