5 Ways Modern Technology has Transformed Fleet Operations

The trucking industry in the United States has embraced technology, reducing their operational costs and improving efficiency. As per a survey of fleet operator interest in MRM (Mobile Resource Management) systems and services, over 75% of the fleet operations using GPS fleet management services were highly satisfied.

Apart from saving costs, more than 37% of the 500 fleet operators using GPS management cited monitoring driving performance and safety as a top benefit. Likewise, over 54% of the surveyed fleet operators said vehicle location was a major benefit for them.

As the competition in the fleet operations industry rises,  many small trucking firms and logistics businesses have leveraged modern technology to stay competitive and profitable.

Here’s how fleet operations are using technologies to make life easier:

Monitoring Drivers through GPS

Using GPS devices, fleet operators are now able to monitor drivers. The GPS technology has helped logistics businesses explore the most efficient route to customer locations, leading to a reduction in driver time and fuel consumption. There’s a wide range of GPS fleet tracking services available for logistics businesses. By allowing fleet operators to forecast the mileage, time and cost of specific routes, these tracking software services help businesses make real-time changes and improvements in their services.

Communicating with Drivers to Minimize Errors

Communications between different drivers, dispatchers, motor carriers, and other staff members are key to improving in-car driver responses. By using internet networks, employees of fleet operating companies communicate with each other seamlessly and in real time. Not only does it eliminate errors, but improves logistics and operations as well. In short, it helps reduces costs and boost productivity.

Using Traffic Coordinations to Boost Delivery Times

Traffic coordination plays a key role in improving the performance of drivers. By using traffic coordination technology and accessing fleet information remotely, fleet operators are now able to share critical information with the drivers to boost delivery times. The traffic coordination technology helps fleet operators coordinate driving patterns, share real-time traffic reports with drivers, updating the drivers on the surrounding areas, and informing them on potential blind spots as well.

Online Recruiting and Staffing

The advancement in technology has transformed the way fleet operators and logistics firms used to hire drivers in the past. With online transportation job boards becoming mainstream, drivers can log on to the job boards from their mobile phone, and apply for positions open for them, from the comfort of their seat. Similarly, the online job boards have also allowed fleet operating companies to find the potential candidates for their operations, seamlessly.  

Using Safety Technology to Reduce Insurance Costs

Safety technology has undergone a revolutionary transformation over the past several years in the trucking industry. According to research published in the International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Prevention, commercial trucks account for 8% of US highway traffic; however, they are involved in 11% of fatal crashes. To put it into perspective, trucks are responsible for a whopping 4,500 deaths annually in the US alone.

Investment in safety aspects such as anti-lock braking systems, collision avoidance systems, lane departure warning, and  blind spot warning devices have not only reduced accidents, injuries and fatalities, but also saved potential insurance costs for many companies.

According to a report by Truckinginfo.com, property damage payouts can cost a fleet company anything from $100,000 to $200,000 while a trucking company will have to cough up anything from $135,000 to $455,000 for an accident with injury. Keeping these high insurance costs in mind, many companies have invested in safety technologies to reduce their operational costs and improve ROI.

Final Thoughts

From tracking systems to expenses management, trucking companies are becoming increasingly smart in embracing advanced technology and boosting their profits. As the technology in the trucking industry is poised to grow even further, more and more fleet operators are likely to adopt the new technologies to stay ahead of the curve.

What modern technologies have you adopted to improve your logistics?

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