July 2010

22 posts
Low Rolling Resistance Tires can Improve Fuel Efficiency by 4%

Fleet managers who want to save money on fuel, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve their environmental image should consider becoming a certified partner of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Program. Participation in the EPA’s program is completely voluntary and helps fleet operators and truck drivers to save fuel, save money and help the environment at the same time. Sounds like a win-win for fleets looking to cut costs and go green at the same time. The SmartWay program is a collaboration between the freight industry and the federal government to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, improve fuel efficiency and strengthen the freight industry as a whole.

The EPA’s SmartWay program identifies products and services that that reduce transportation related costs and emissions such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. Certification in the SmartWay program requires fleet vehicle operators to use verified low rolling resistance tires, such as GoodYear’s Fuel Max technology tires or Dunlop’s FM series. According to GoodYear, both of these lines of tires can improve fuel efficiency by up to 4%.

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Is Being “Green” a Fad?

We view a lot of new products as fads because they become part of the national conversation today and disappear tomorrow.  Products and services like Facebook, Twitter, and the iPhone will certainly go the way of the Rubik’s cube within 10 years. One topic that has emerged over the past few years is being “green”.  […]

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Top 10 Reasons Fleet Managers should use a GPS Tracking System

GPS fleet management systems are designed with one primary goal: to save business managers time and money. There many benefits to using a fleet GPS management system. Here is a list of the top 10 reasons.

1. Increased Profits and Performance

Access to vehicle efficiency and driver productivity data helps a company manage the costs related to fleet operations. There can be a significant reduction in employee overtime costs and driver down-time; reduced maintenance costs directly affect the bottom line. Plus improved route efficiency and fleet metrics allow for expanding customer base. GPS truck tracking saves approximately $5,484 per employee annually.

2. Improved Fleet Operations

GPS tracking systems enable real-time decision making plus enhanced accountability of drivers and assets. Fleet managers will no longer have to rely on driver log sheets, service forms and truck maintenance records to keep track of fleet vehicle operations. Instant access to vehicle efficiency and driver productivity data can help a company better manage the costs related to fleet operations. GPS vehicle tracking allows companies to add more jobs to each work day. Companies typically see a 25% increase in work orders completed after implementing a GPS tracking device.

3. Reduced Fuel Costs and CO2 Emissions

Poor driving behavior such as speeding and unnecessary idling wastes fuel and can be identified with a GPS fleet tracking system. Fleet vehicles can use up to 800 gallons of fuel per year due to unnecessary idling alone, which costs approximately $2400 per vehicle per year. Every unnecessary mile you eliminate will reduce your carbon footprint and can make your entire fleet more productive and environmentally responsible.

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GPS Fleet Tracking Helps Companies Thrive in Down Economies

gps-fleet-tracking-management-system-lowers-costs-increases-efficiencyFleet managers are constantly trying to figure out ways to increase productivity while cutting costs. The global economic recession combined with rising fuel costs has made fleet management more challenging than ever. With fuel topping $3 a gallon or more in some regions, fleet operators are searching for ways to make their drivers more efficient, while also abiding by strict legal requirements that restrict vehicle idling and hours of service. Considering the current economic times, even a small decrease in costs can mean the difference between a profit or a loss for many fleet operators.
The challenges facing fleet managers are becoming increasingly difficult. A fleet tracking system that lowers operating costs can help many companies to not only survive but thrive in today’s tough economic climate. A fleet tracking system can provide a return on investment in approximately four to nine months, depending on your industry. Modern fleet tracking and management systems are making it possible for managers to reduce fuel consumption and vehicle emissions, while simultaneously improving safety and legal compliance, and optimizing vehicle and driver operations. A GPS tracking system helps dispatchers to route the nearest vehicle to a specific location, navigate the best route, and minimize maintenance costs. Fleet managers can also reduce truck driver overtime and administrative costs by automating fuel costs and tax reporting with electronic truck driver reports.

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Location Based Services Set to Explode over the Next 5 Years

gps-google-iphoneAccording to a recent research report published by IE Market Research (IEMR), the global market for GPS navigation and location based services will increase to $13.4 billion in 2014, a compound annual growth rate of 51.3%. In the USA and Canada, the GPS navigation and location based search market will increase to over $4.3 billion. The USA and Canada will represent nearly one-third (32.4%) of the world market share for GPS navigation and location based services spending over the next 5 years. The USA will still be one of the largest single markets for location based services in the world with a compound annual growth rate of 37.5% forecasted over the next five years. The full IEMR report (single-copy) costs $2,995.

The adoption of GPS in mobile handsets is largely being driven by smart phones. Given the proliferation of smartphones these figures are not all that surprising, despite moderate industry growth in the past. GPS-enabled smartphones such as the Apple iPhone and Google Android are playing a huge part in the GPS technology revolution that IEMR is forecasting. Google now includes free GPS navigation for its smartphones and Apple’s iPhone app store is filled with dozens of free and low-cost navigation applications. in 2009, more than 40 percent of all smartphone owners used their mobile devices to get turn-by-turn directions, according to data from Compete, an industry leading web analytics firm. For iPhone users, the figure is even higher at over 80 percent. After all, smart phones are, well, smart. It’s convenient to not only use your phone to take make calls, but also to send SMS text messages, take pictures, send emails on the go, search the web, listen to music, and yes, even to get turn-by-turn directions.

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UPS Truck Tracking to be used for 22,000 Vehicles

Fleet GPS tracking and telematics devices have been installed in over 11,000 UPS delivery vehicles. The company recently announced plans to install GPS navigation and telematics equipment in another 10,000 trucks. UPS, one of the most recognized brands in the world, is a $49.7 billion global corporation known for its efficiency and speed.

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Exhibit by Lockheed Martin Shows Importance of GPS Technology

Lockheed Martin, a global security and information technology company, opened a Global Positioning System (GPS) exhibit this week in Vienna, Austria.  The GPS exhibit is part of the permanent Space Exhibit at Vienna’s United Nations Office.  The purpose of the exhibit is to emphasize the importance of satellite navigation technology. GPS technology serves millions of […]

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Omaha School District Uses GPS Devices For Child Safety

Facing severe budget cuts in today’s tough economy, cutting costs without sacrificing student safety is a formidable task for every school district across the nation. School district transportation managers are responsible for thousands of children each day once they step onto the school bus. Most state laws are very strict when it comes to school […]

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The Complete Guide to Telematics in Europe & USA

SBD is an independent technical research and consulting firm that has been analyzing the telematics service market worldwide for over a decade. The company recently released their 2010 annual report titled “The Complete Guide to Telematics in Europe and the USA” providing an in-depth account of vehicle manufacturers’ telematics solutions. The report costs $3200.

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FMCSA Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 – Truck Monitoring

The U.S. Federal Government is creating a new program to monitor the safety of all commercial truck drivers and trucking companies. The new program, created by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is called Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 (CSA 2010). Portions of the new truck safety monitoring system will take effect later in the […]

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NAFA Helps Fleet Managers Stay Abreast of New Legislation

Managing fleets is certainly not an easy job. One of the most significant challenges corporate and public fleet managers face is dealing with the effects of legislation on their business.  Recently two new pieces of legislation were passed that will directly affect fleet managers over the next few years.

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AT&T Awarded by Frost & Sullivan for Fleet Management

AT&T was chosen by Frost & Sullivan to receive its 2010 North America CXOs’ Choice Award in the categories of overall best Mobile Workforce Management brand and overall best Next-Generation Fleet Management brand. Frost & Sullivan’s Best Awards recognize companies across dozens of industries worldwide for its achievements and exceptional performance in areas such as […]

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San Diego Ranked #11 on List of 100 Best Government Fleets

A list of the “100 Best Government Fleets” was recently announced at the Government Fleet Expo & Conference. The conference was held in Austin, TX in June 2010.  Troy, MI ranked #1 on the list.  San Diego, CA ranked # 11. Top 20 Best Government Fleets in the U.S. TROY, MI PORTLAND, OR POLK COUNTY, […]

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Coca Cola Hires Manager for the Largest Hybrid Fleet in America

Coca Cola Enterprises, the largest bottler of Coke beverages, is highly regarded in the fleet management industry because it has the largest hybrid electric delivery fleet in North America. It has 327 “green” trucks on the road in the U.S. and Canada. These hybrid trucks are 30% more fuel-efficient than traditional trucks, produce less emissions […]

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Alabama Mandated to Purchase Eco-Friendly Vehicles

Under a recently passed Alabama law, state officials must analyze all government fleet vehicles and produce an actionable plan to replace current fleet vehicles with eco-friendly models. Officials must report all current details and costs by September 30, 2010. State officials hope this initiative will force cities and counties to turn their fleets green, according […]

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San Francisco Begins Tracking Fleet Vehicles To Save Money

A recent article in the San Francisco Examiner states that the City is beginning to track its city-owned fleet vehicles in order to reduce costs and negligent employee behavior. The City plans to eventually reduce the number of vehicles in its fleet, once enough data has been gathered and analyzed. “We continue to do our […]

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Highlights of Telematics Industry Conference

Telematics Detroit 2010 is a conference mainly for automakers and their suppliers. Many of the conference speakers emphasized that the Telematics Industry as a whole has changes dramatically in recent years. The Telematics Industry for consumer vehicles is expected to change even more as smartphones apps invade the telematics space, providing drivers with the type […]

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Study Reveals More Fleets Are Measuring GHG Emissions

According to a recent annual fleet survey, there has been a significant increase in the number of fleets  measuring greenhouse gas emissions. Forty-nine  percent of fleets reported measuring greenhouse gas emissions, a significant increase from twenty-eight  percent reported in 2008.  Sixty-eight percent of survey respondents said they have an environmental goal for their fleets, which […]

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