The Future of Fleet Optimization

Fleet of new heavy trucks. Transportation, shipping industry. 3D illustration

As most people switch to online shopping, the need for shipping continues to rise. Fleet managers now have more work. But with advanced technology, their work might get easier. AI technology is becoming more reliable with time. Today, fleet managers have more control over their vehicles than ever before. Real-time fleet monitoring has become prevalent, thanks to telemetric technology.  

So, how can fleet managers take advantage of these improvements to optimize their operations? Let’s see how in this review of telemetric technology.

Telematics for The Transport Industry

If you’re a fleet manager, you always want to know the location of your trucks, the route they use, and how much fuel they consume. With telematics technology, you can get that information in real-time. Moreover, you can monitor the driver’s behavior and vehicle’s condition.

Telematics technology uses GPS and other tech solutions to collect data from trucks and send it to you. A tachograph fitted in the vehicle’s engine records all the information you need and transmits the data. It can help you know what time the truck is moving, the speed, and the number of times it makes stops.

With this information, you can know which driver is more efficient. Plus, your drivers will be more vigilant knowing that you have all the information about their activities. Best part, you can use this information to motivate them by rewarding more efficient drivers.

Moreover, insurance companies and authorities rely on this information. Such data helps government authorities to know whether the drivers comply with the hours of service set by the states. The insurance companies can also use the info to calculate the insurance cost.

Some auto insurance companies provide a pay-how-you-drive (or pay as you drive) policy. In this policy, insurance cost depends on mileage, type of vehicle, time, place, and driving behavior. That means, with improved efficiency, you can save on insurance costs.

Use of GPS Technology

GPS continues to advance with time. Now, you can tell more than just the location of your truck. A GPS camera can help you get video footage of the whole journey. If an accident occurs, the video footage can serve as evidence to the police and the insurance company. It can tell the speed, location, and time of the accident.

Furthermore, GPS systems can help avoid roads with heavy traffic. These tools can also  recommend shorter routes that can help save fuel.    

If you need someone to pick up a parcel or an LTL, GPS can help identify the truck closest to the pickup station. By doing so, you can save fuel costs. Finally, you can update your customers with accurate data on where their cargo is in transit and when it might arrive. So you can keep your customers satisfied by giving them timely alerts.

Internet of Things

Internet of things (IoT) is part of the technology used in telemetrics and GPS. It helps to integrate all your resources by linking them to one network. With this technology, you can access all data about your vehicles in one place. You can communicate with your drivers and share documents with your customers without delay.

IoT also helps to monitor the status of your vehicles. You’ll be able to compare the fuel efficiency of trucks and know when each of them requires maintenance. Since you get this information in advance, you’ll be able to smoothly schedule maintenance and avoid work disruptions. 

In a nutshell, fleet managers who use digitization enjoy fewer inconveniences, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction. In the future, this technology is likely to get better and cheaper. But as we wait for that, let’s make the best use of what we have now.