Survival through innovation: the tech route to a more productive fleet

The UK transport sector is facing significant challenges. Amidst a decline in freight volumes, the operational costs of managing a 44-tonne Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV), excluding fuel, have increased by nearly 10 per cent over the last year.

The economic pressures have contributed to the closure of more than 450 haulage businesses, signalling a call to arms for fleet operators to seek innovative solutions to boost productivity.

Fleet management solutions are becoming increasingly vital in this quest. They offer a multifaceted approach to optimising fleet performance, enhancing service delivery and bolstering financial health – crucial ingredients for navigating this challenging transport landscape.

Harnessing data for smarter decisions

The real-time data on vehicle and driver performance delivered by telematics platforms can be instrumental to providing more informed decisions. These insights encompass a range of metrics – from fuel consumption and vehicle locations to driving times and performance behind the wheel –enabling fleet managers to prioritise their efforts and allocate resources more efficiently.

By automating business processes and improving workflow, solutions such as Webfleet can also streamline operations and reduce the time spent on routine tasks.

They can automate, for example, the remote downloading and archiving of tachograph data, which not only keeps trucks on the road longer but also helps ensure regulatory compliance.

Additionally, hand-held driver devices can host applications that manage daily activities such as order management, proof of delivery and vehicle checks, freeing up valuable time for both drivers and back-office staff alike.

Optimising operations

Route planning is another area where fleet management solutions can significantly enhance productivity. By incorporating live traffic updates, these systems help drivers avoid delays and reduce journey times. For electric vehicle fleets, advanced planning tools that take account of battery levels, capacity, average energy consumption and charge point locations also enable more efficient routing.

The dynamic nature of this technology enables fleet managers to adjust routes and schedules on the fly, boosting service reliability and customer satisfaction.

Elsewhere, telematics can play a crucial role in vehicle maintenance, an area often overlooked in terms of its impact on productivity. Proactive maintenance scheduling, based on real-time data and predictive analytics, can drastically reduce downtime. Vehicles can be kept operational and costly breakdowns can be prevented before they occur.

Reducing accidents and enhancing driver standards through telematics also helps to keep a lid on vehicle downtime whilst, at the same time, contributing to lower repair and insurance costs. Driver behaviour monitoring and feedback systems, such as Webfleet’s OptiDrive 360, can lead to improved driving practices, supporting continuous driver training to help ensure that improvements are not just a short-term fix.

A tech-enabled uplift in the utilisation of vehicles and drivers, meanwhile, can help ensure fleets can meet customer demand without straining resources. Real-time visibility into vehicle usage allows operators to identify and correct inefficiencies in their deployment strategies.

By adopting such solutions, fleets can not only survive but thrive. The ability to do more with less – enhancing productivity without compromising service – is within reach for those willing to invest in smart, technology-driven fleet management.

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Published On: 18/04/2024 16:50:30

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