By RAM Tracking on 11 Apr 2018
The shortest distance between two points is not always a straight line. That’s right, all those calculus courses had it wrong and if you know your logistics and planning for each of your fleet routes, you have most likely come up with the same conclusion. Fleet fuel costs can increase considerably when drivers go off course or utilise routes that were not pre-planned for optimal efficiency. By incorporating vehicle tracking technology in your fleet, you become capable of keeping an eye on the whole fleet at the same time. The capability to oversee an entire fleet means that productivity will be on point, monitoring traffic situations or roadworks, helping to plan the most optimal route which will save both time and fuel costs.
In addition to helping to create the most efficient routes for your drivers, the ability to track driving patterns and driving habits with vehicle tracking technology creates a psychological change for drivers of accountability. By knowing specific driving habits, such as speeding which can be easily tracked by the business, a driver will become less inclined to speed to the next stop on their route. This simple change in a driving habit will not only provide more safety on the roadways, but it will also yield increased fuel cost savings as speeding yields a tremendous amount of wasted fuel.
Whether it be telematics solutions being incorporated to help reduce the unnecessary distance traveled with improved routing, or helping to discourage negative driving habits, the addition of available technology has been proven to help reduce fuel costs for business fleets. In fact, studies have shown that the mere notice by employees that driving is being audited, directly relate to improved performance while incurring minimal investment cost as an organisation.
The decision to purchase new fleet vehicles or replace older vehicles as a part of a fleet can become a balancing act that may be discouraged by many business owners or senior-level executives due to the initial costs that are incurred. However, the ability to reduce vehicle lifecycles can actually result in decreased maintenance and fuel costs as the newer model of vehicles become increased in fuel economy and utilisation. By considering all factors, not only initial costs, a fleet manager can prepare short and long-term replacement plans to help improve the bottom line performance of the business with enhancements to fleet fuel managment
With increased focus on lifecycle reduction of the fleet to increase fuel economy, as well as the addition of vehicle tracking technology to improve driving habits and patterns, reduction in overall costs will be quickly realised by your fleet.
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