Did you know that trucks transport more than two-thirds of America’s freight by weight, generating $940.8 billion in revenue? Over the years, the trucking industry has embraced numerous technologies to increase efficiency, competitiveness, and profitability, from autonomous trucks to driver safety management and dynamic routing.
Under the hood of innovative trucks is a technological advancement revolutionizing trucking and fleet management-tracking systems. In the past, tracking systems primarily offered a vehicle’s location data.
However, today, they go a step further to provide insights into a fleet’s performance, including miles driven, driver behavior, and maintenance metrics. Also, they solve problems experienced by fleets, such as fuel management, safety issues, vehicle maintenance, and route optimization.
Read on to learn five ways tracking systems enhance fleet management.
1. Tracking Systems Lower Fuel Costs
Fuel is one of the biggest operating costs for fleets worldwide. As fuel costs surge daily, fleet owners and managers are looking for ways to reduce these costs while increasing the fuel economy of their vehicles. According to a 2023 Fleet Technology Trends, tracking solutions lower fuel costs by 9%.
How do tracking systems for trucks reduce fuel expenses? Here’s how:
- Identifying and rectifying fuel-wasting behavior such as speeding and excessive idling
- Optimizing routes so drivers use the fastest and most fuel-efficient ones
- Prioritizing maintenance –well-maintained trucks are more fuel efficient than neglected ones
- Detecting fuel theft, whether using a job’s fuel card for personal vehicles or siphoning fuel from a truck’s tank
2. Tracking Systems Improve Fleet Security
You may assume that your vehicles are insured against theft, and thus, there is no need to use tracking systems. What about the cargo in the truck and the down caused when you cannot work at full capacity?
A tracking system improves fleet security in several ways. First, if a vehicle is stolen, it can be recovered quickly to minimize loss, damage, and downtime. Second, use geofencing to develop geographical boundaries for your vehicles and get alerts when they exit them. Third, you can avert unauthorized vehicle movement, especially outside business hours, to curb theft and misuse.
3. Tracking Systems Increase Driver Safety
Drivers are the lifeblood of trucking companies –at least before autonomous trucks become mainstream. Subsequently, you have to protect these assets to promote safety and avoid liability. Tracking systems increase driver safety by identifying potential risky driving behaviors such as:
- Speeding
- Harsh braking
- Aggressive cornering
- Stop sign violation
- Excessive acceleration
After identifying these behaviors, you can train drivers as needed and enhance their driving skills. Also, managers can discuss unsafe practices with involved drivers and create mechanisms to remedy them. A no-so-obvious benefit of improved driver behavior is lower insurance costs and fewer accidents.
Trucking companies are increasingly realizing that their drivers, being corporate employees, affect their reputation and credibility. When their drivers engage in unsafe driving practices with the company logo emblazoned on the side, they harm the business as a whole. Tracking systems lead to a safer fleet and enhance corporate image and credibility.
Notably, a tracking system keeps drivers safe. In the event of an accident, you know their location and can send them help and respond quickly. In potentially dangerous routes and areas, drivers have peace of mind knowing that their location is visible.
4. Tracking Systems Boost Fleet Productivity
Tracking systems revolutionize fleet management by improving productivity. When drivers know their vehicles are tracked, they tend to work efficiently. They no longer take unnecessary breaks, use long routes, drive lazily, or engage in distracted driving, which increases their output. In addition, fleet tracking optimizes job assignments as tasks can be given to the closest vehicle.
In addition, tracking devices can be good motivators, prompting drivers to be more conscious of their work. They manage their time well and don’t make excuses for late arrivals since their journey can be assessed. Tracking devices can be gentle reminders that the company cares about its staff and has their back in case the unexpected happens.
5. Tracking Systems Provide Analytics
Among the most significant benefits of fleet tracking systems is offering valuable data for measuring performance and making improvements. These systems capture tons of data that fleet managers and owners can use to increase the efficiency and profitability of their operations. Crucial fleet data includes;
- Fleet safety and driver behavior
- Maintenance requirements
- Environmental impact
- Vehicle utilization
With the correct information, data-driven decision-making becomes a reality. For instance, with data on how your vehicles are utilized, you can decide whether to acquire additional assets or downgrade to reduce wastage. You can also identify areas of inefficiency, such as routes with massive traffic, job types taking longer than necessary, and underserved sites.
Conclusion
Modern-day tracking systems are no longer mere dots on a map showing a vehicle’s location. They provide valuable insights into a fleet’s performance to increase safety and efficiency, identify the best drivers, and maximize returns. Tracking systems revolutionize fleet management and industries relying on trucks to move their goods. Optimize your fleets with tracking systems today!
