Driver behavior is one of the key factors in improving productivity and lowering costs. Certain unwanted driver habits such as speeding, harsh cornering and idling can increase the wear and tear and cause excessive amounts of fuel waste. When you consider dozens, sometimes hundreds of drivers on the roads at the same time, ignoring the rules and wasting resources may seem inevitable. Except, it is not and all of these habits can be tracked with the help of fleet management systems.
With a vehicle tracking device onboard, managers can monitor every moment of a delivery trip from start to finish. Field managers can view the location of their vehicles in real-time and make last-minute changes. They can also plan ahead for shorter routes and save important time but all the planning in the world doesn't account for human error. In the UK alone, drivers spending more than one day per year stuck in traffic. Being behind the wheel for extended periods of time and trying to stick to a schedule isn't easy when you consider the environmental factors.
Unnecessary idling wastes fuel and increases maintenance costs. Many drivers keep their engines running to power heating and cooling systems during lunch breaks, or while they'۪re interacting with customers. But idling comes at a cost. Many trucks idle up to eight hours per day. This costs fleet owners and operators thousands of pounds in fuel per truck each year. It is something for every fleet to consider; however, because excessive idling can not only affect fuel consumption but also preventive maintenance schedules. One estimate suggests that one hour of idle time is equal to approximately 25 miles of driving. Generally, it is recommended that fleets follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for minimum warm-up time. Additionally, ensuring that you have access to your fleet’s data, establishing an appropriate baseline that reflects your fleet and your industry, and tracking/managing idling time is the best approach.
With the simple addition of a tracking device to a vehicle, managers can;
Cut speeding fines by alerting drivers and managers of speeding infringements as they happen.
Reduce operating costs by using less fuel that is typically wasted by excessive speeding, acceleration and idling.
Decrease chances of a driver being involved in an accident by alerting incidences of bad driving and providing coaching and training.
Detailed reports are available for each driver allowing to manage both safety and performance as well as setting goals for improvement. Fleet management systems allow the owners to keep an eye on where their staff is, and to a certain extent, what they’re doing. Not only will this give them additional peace of mind, but it’ll also give the drivers an extra incentive to stay on track.