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Fleet management systems have been around a while and have become so complex that it has evolved into Field Resource Management. This article explores 5 reasons why all fleets need at least a basic Field Resource Management system.
he Anaheim Union High School District is the first school district in California to test GPS tracking system technology as part of a six-week pilot program to reduce the amount of student truancy, according to school officials. Student GPS tracking system programs have been successful in cities such as San Antonio and Baltimore. Where the GPS technology has been implemented, average attendance among the chronically truant jumped from 77 percent up to 95 percent during the six-week program.
Students with a high level of unexcused absences will be assigned a GPS tracking device that they must carry on them at all times during school days. The GPS tracking system is small, about the size of a deck of cards. The GPS tracking devices will not be strapped to a student’s ankle, because according to experts, this can create a negative stigma. The GPS tracking program is all about teaching the student’s about responsibility, not punishment.
Looking for easy ways to turn your ordinary fleet into a green fleet? Or simple ways to save money on gas? Check out the following iPhone apps. They can help fleet management save time, money and reduce your fleet’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Gas Cubby helps drivers track vehicle gas mileage and maintenance. Drivers can track vehicle MPG, gas prices, driving expenses and can provide customizable service reminders. The app stores all the important vehicle data and can support a fleet of many vehicles. Gas Cubby costs $6.99.
Trip Cubby is from the same developer of Gas Cubby, but designed for drivers who need to track mileage for tax deduction or reimbursement purposes. The app allows you to log expenses for multiple vehicles and drivers. If a user gets a phone call while in the middle of entering in data, don’t worry. The data will be stored and retrieved the next time the app is launched. TripCubby costs $6.99.
A GPS tracking system was used by police to locate items stolen from a trailer used for a Lil Wayne music video. Time and time again, criminals forget that items such as laptops and cel phones are equipped with a GPS tracking system. Police can easily use the GPS tracking system to locate these stolen items and make the proper arrests.
According to police, on Friday February 18, the man pretended to be a back-up dancer and was able to gain access to the trailer. The trailer had just been moved to Citrus College in California from South Africa, where it had been used on the set of Lil Wayne’s latest video production. Lil Wayne is an international hip-hop superstar and he was filming a video with Porcelain Black.
In light of rising gas gas costs, it is important for fleet management to try and keep fuel costs as low as possible. Here are 5 ways fleet management can cut fuel costs:
1. It is important that truck drivers do not speed. It may seem like a good idea, after all you can reach your destination quicker. But overall speeding actually costs much more money, not to mention it is dangerous. Speeds over 60 mph drastically impact fuel efficiencies – cars traveling at 75 mph use 20% more fuel, while trucks traveling at 75 mph use 50% more fuel. They also emit 100% more carbon monoxide, 50% more hydrocarbons and 31% more nitrogen oxides. And don’t forget that a speeding ticket can increase your insurance costs.
2. Train your drivers to drive consistently and not be too aggressive. Jackrabbit starts save less than 3 minutes per hour of driving, but can result in 40% more fuel use. That’s not going to help your fuel savings or help your on time delivery.
Fuel prices across the country are already well over $3/gallon. Many experts are predicting significant increases in the price of gas and food this year, plus other daily necessities (commodities) and consumer goods. Why? Because as the cost of fuel goes up, the cost of transporting and delivering these goods is going up. Profit margins in the transportation and trucking industry are already very thin, so companies are going to be forced to pass these costs onto the consumer.
According to the New York Times, prices for commodities such as corn, sugar, wheat, beef, pork and coffee are soaring.
The price of cotton is at its highest level in over 10 years; leather and polyester are increasing as well. The price of copper has shot through the roof and reached its highest level inover 40 years. Iron ore, which is used to produce steel, is also commanding very high prices.
According to a recent GPS tracking study conducted by Navteq, consumer experience with navigation systems in 2010 has increased from 2009 levels, but has slowed from double to single digit growth – in most countries studied. The Navteq Annual GPS Tracking Study assesses user interaction across all sectors of navigation, including in-vehicle systems, portable devices (PNDs) and mobile/smartphone applications. The online GPS tracking study was conducted in Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Russia, the UK and the USA.
With the continued proliferation of in-vehicle navigation GPS systems, portable navigation devices (PNDs) and mobile phone navigational functionality, consumers are being offered ever more choice in the way they experience navigation and location-based information. In 2009, roughly half of all people in mature markets such as US, UK, France and Germany reported using a GPS navigation system – which is approximately double the number reported in 2006.
GPS tracking system technology and safe sex – now there’s two things that I never thought would go together. But never say never. Because yesterday the NYC Health Department announced the launch of a new GPS app for cel phones called Condom Finder. The new GPS app is free and works with both the iPhone and Android. The new app uses GPS tracking to provide users with the location and directions to the closest free condom dispenser.
Diesel prices have gone up for 11 straight weeks for a cumulative 37.2 cent gain, a 70-cent increase from last year. Current diesel prices have already risen 2.1 cents this week to $3.534 per gallon, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA). This week’s price is the 20th consecutive week prices have been at $3 per gallon or more. Current diesel prices are at their highest level since peaking at $3.659 during the week of October 13, 2008.
Even though oil prices have decreased slightly in recent weeks, some experts are saying that the price per gallon of diesel and regular gasoline could approach the $4 per gallon level, due to higher global demand for oil and the coldest winter in recorded history in many parts of the United States and Europe.
Fuel typically makes up about one-third of trucking companies’ budgets, said Kristen Monaco, an economics professor who specializes in trucking at California State University, Long Beach. However, when diesel prices get this high, the cost of fuel is the number one expense for trucking companies.
vehicle rental company in Australia has made a controversial decision to install a GPS vehicle tracking system in roughly 30% of the vehicles in its car rental fleet. Using the GPS vehicle tracking system signal, the car rental company will be able to know in real time the exact location of the vehicle. Plus they can be notified by text message if the car rental customer has breached any of the terms of their rental agreement, such as driving the rented car down a dirt road. Renters can be fined for their driving behavior, if it is a breach of the car rental contract.
