TECHNOLOGY

By Barbara Hernandez-Taylor Driver safety is integral to the operation of a successful fleet as drivers spend countless hours on the road. Fleet managers promote driver safety, but they cannot control unforeseeable risks like distracted […] More

By Tim Boyle Paper forms have dominated fleet vehicle inspections and maintenance for years. While tasks such as daily or annual inspections are a compliance requirement for vehicles operating under a DOT number, technology is […] More

Picture it: You’re working away at your desk checking telematics data for the umpteenth time this week. There have been losses to your company’s bottom line that you know stem from fleet vehicles, but you’re […] More

Sometimes fleet vehicles need to provide power for more than just the engine, lights, and automatic door locks. Many fleet owners employ generators to power their tools on the jobsite, which is a great option […] More

By Del Williams In the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, owners and fleet managers of service businesses such as landscaping, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC still need to manage their fleets, but may not want to […] More

Even as the nation has reopened following the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health and government officials urgently ask Americans to maintain precautions in order to slow the spread of the virus. Wearing a […] More

By Jack Johnson As countries around the world continue moving toward stricter environmental regulations, the pressure to double-down on vehicle anti-idling laws may intensify soon. People living in densely-populated areas experienced a stark improvement in […] More

During the period from 2009 to 2018 (the latest figures available), fatalities in collisions involving large trucks have been on an upward trajectory, rising from 3,147 to 4,136 according to the Insurance Institute for Highway […] More

By Michael Hughes Conventional wisdom says low oil prices will slow the transition to electric mobility (e-mobility), but the facts on the ground suggest otherwise. The Washington Examiner reported that analysts don’t see the long-term […] More

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, fleets across industries are facing the dilemma of how to manage operations remotely. The pandemic affects all businesses on a macro level, causing many fleets to develop remote management strategies […] More

As the world fights against COVID-19, we acknowledge the pivotal role played by industries providing essential products and services. They were important before, but these industries now work harder than ever and in challenging circumstances. […] More

By Steve Young Ready mix drivers use technology to enhance productivity from the time they clock in until they clock out. At every stage of the concrete production and delivery lifecycle, there is room for […] More

Depending on your line of work, an electric-powered vehicle might work well for you. Constant stop and go in delivery applications generate power through braking. Running short distances from the shop to the jobsite in […] More

The current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything that the industry has ever faced. Most companies have a game plan for an economic downturn, but this situation is unlike any other in recent […] More

Technology is evolving the trucking industry. Dynamic routing software optimizes dispatching. Collision mitigation technology makes roads safer. Dash cams provide protection in the case of collisions and phony insurance claims. GPS tracking of trailers and […] More

Driving with the sun in your eyes is something that truckers and drivers of all kinds have dealt with since the beginning. There are already a couple of items on the market to offer some […] More

Vehicle Maintenance is without any doubt a critical focus for every fleet manager. In most cases vehicle maintenance is right behind fuel in being the highest cost for a service operation. In years past, ensuring […] More

Last month you read a piece on common issues fleet managers face and a list of a few telematics/GPS tracking systems that help alleviate a few management headaches. We listed companies that are great for […] More

Managing a fleet isn’t the easiest job, no matter the size of your fleet. After all, our whole magazine is dedicated to solving common issues faced by fleet owners and managers on a daily basis. […] More

Aside from the cost of buying your fleet vehicles, fuel and maintenance are the highest expenses of any fleet program. Ever-fluctuating gas prices make it hard to predict what you’ll pay at the pump each […] More

As the second decade of the 21st century dawns, the commercial vehicle market is flush with enthusiasm as numerous players promise “the next big thing” in electric-powered commercial vehicles. Most of the industry’s largest truck […] More

For almost a decade, Work Truck Solutions has worked to digitize and modernize the massive, yet unseen work truck industry. The work truck industry is extensive; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the businesses […] More

BlueArrow Telematics, provider of mobile workforce technologies, recently employed a research assistant to analyze dozens of telematics reports, surveys, and statistics to gain greater insight into how and why fleets use telematics systems. After analyzing […] More

Route optimization software makes sound business sense for any organization responsible for sending fleets of 18-wheelers all over the country. But fleets of smaller work trucks can benefit from routing software just as much. At […] More

Wade Homuth set out to start his own field service company at the age of 43. A daunting task for even the youngest of workers, Homuth leveraged his 20 years of experience in the construction […] More

The ELD mandate is perhaps the single greatest regulatory compliance issue to impact the way drivers and motor carriers do business in the United States. Now after nearly two years of confusion and anxiety, the […] More

Last time, we focused on analytics and its impact on coaching and a fleet’s overall safety culture. In this final installment of the Coaching series, we’ll provide tips fleets can use today to take to […] More

By Ryan Driscoll Traditionally, paying predictive measures on an enterprise-level means commercial fleet companies and their drivers are in a one-size-fits-all insurance plan no matter their background, qualification, or accident record. In Q1 2019, commercial […] More

One of the most helpful technologies implemented into our automobiles within the past few years is blind spot detection (BSD) systems. This technology uses sensors along the vehicle to detect other vehicles in the driver’s […] More

Since 2012, the ELD mandate has ranked in the top 10 issues in the trucking industry, according to the American Transportation Research Institute. The regulation took the industry by storm in 2017, but it wasn’t […] More

The 2020 election race is heating up—and so is our planet.  Amid the fourth-hottest year in recorded history, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a landmark 2018 report outlining alarming consequences unless we can […] More

In the second part of our series, we focused on the value of expert analysis and measurement in the coaching process. Continuing on the coaching path, we’ll now zero in on analytics, its role in […] More

Our roads are in poor condition, overcrowded, chronically underfunded, and increasingly dangerous. In fact, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gives the US grades of C+ for bridges, D for roads, and D- for […] More

Within the GPS telematics industry, service providers have spoken to the material benefits of GPS tracking solutions for years. Whether it be improved fuel efficiency as a result of reduced idling, more efficient routing, or […] More

In the first part of this series, we discussed the importance of coaching and ensuring everyone in the organization is on the same page before starting the coaching process as part of a fleet’s overall […] More

To some, fleet electrification could never be a reality. Perhaps the infrastructure of your area wouldn’t allow for a beneficial conversion, the money it would take to convert wouldn’t justify the money you may or […] More

From the early stages of learning how to walk, kids learning new games at recess, or adults mastering a new task at work—everyone is constantly coached. It’s just a way of life. Yet at some […] More

  Millennials account for more than one-third of the US employee population and more enter the workforce every day, making this generation the biggest opportunity for growth in fleets. Despite their strength in numbers, millennials […] More

Solar-based, renewable, zero fuel power solutions are revolutionizing the battery equation in work trucks, delivery trucks, and service vehicles. ASSAULT AND BATTERY  Every day, the batteries serving the essential power needs of commercial vehicles of […] More

Dispatch, maintenance, safety, and driver monitoring are major aspects of a company’s fleet management system. If a management system experiences technical difficulties, operations are slowed to a bare minimum, costing companies time, money, and sometimes, […] More

Minimizing costs and downtime are critical to the success of any fleet. Managers know all too well that failed liftgate and pallet jack batteries often mean sidelined drivers, missed deliveries, and expensive service calls. Go […] More

Jim Demczak and his wife, Sharon, started their pumping business from scratch seven years ago. RME Concrete Pumpers, Inc currently employs a diversified fleet of eight small pickup trucks and 16 big rigs with three […] More

According to a 2018 report from the World Health Organization (WHO), toxic levels of pollution lead to the early deaths of an estimated 7 million people, and indoor air pollution was responsible for an estimated […] More

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM You’re the owner of a growing business. What started out as a one-man, one-truck job has quickly multiplied into dozens. Managing dozens of workers in dozens of […] More

INTERACT ANALYSIS REPORTS ON BATTERY ELECTRIC MARKET TRENDS There is a lot of hype circling the globe when it comes to alternative fuel and alternative energy solutions. From hybrid to propane to electric and so […] More

MiX TELEMATICS PROVIDES ELD SOLUTION Telematics systems: There are more than we can count, and it seems more spring up on a daily basis. Millions of fleet owners and businesses use telematics systems, reaping benefits […] More

As more Americans choose to drive bigger SUVs and pickups, the demand for diesel engines strengthens due to the technology’s reliability, fuel efficiency, and lower cost of ownership. In 2018, even as overall automobile sales […] More

SERVICEMASTER RESTORE ADOPTS FLEETIO’S NEW SOLUTION FOR OUTSOURCED FLEET MAINTENANCE.  When a disaster strikes, everyday life can be anything but normal. For those moments, ServiceMaster Restore provides restoration services for both commercial and residential buildings […] More

Whether dealing with a half dozen trucks traveling around town or a fleet in the hundreds across the country, GPS-based vehicle tracking software helps uncover the vehicle-usage details impacting a fleet’s productivity. GPS Tracking is […] More

Last month Teletrac Navman shared its 10-step checklist for building a comprehensive safety program and minimizing risk. This month, Teletrac Navman is back for the final part of its Fleet Safety Advisor to share how […] More

Last month you learned the steps to creating a comprehensive fleet safety program. Those steps included defining a “safe” fleet, monitoring performance, training drivers, and measuring and rewarding safety. Teletrac Navman is back this month […] More

With 14 trucks, a working range of 50 miles from its base—for now, at least—and more than 2,000 toilets, it makes sense why this company is the No 1 in the No 2 business. The […] More

Today’s vocational fleets contend with a variety of challenges. From maintaining compliance and avoiding violations to making driver routing more dynamic and efficient and meeting customer needs (and everything else in between), businesses often seek […] More

When a company’s top priorities with fleet inspections include a reduction in time spent filling out paperwork, saving money on labor and maintenance costs, and increasing overall company vehicle uptime, there’s really only one direction […] More

It’s often said that growth in business is a good problem to have. But without a plan, growth can be fatal for the unprepared. The trick is to manage growth in a way that nurtures […] More

Digitization is taking hold in every industry as more companies transition from paper-driven processes toward digital solutions. Fleet management is no exception. With more than 3.5 million truck drivers logging more miles than ever before, […] More

Work truck companies that have adopted social media already know the competitive advantages that an online presence brings. If your company isn’t yet using social media or hasn’t given the differing aspects of each social […] More

When your business depends on keeping your trucks on the move, you can’t afford to continually jump-start dead batteries. That was the challenge faced by resource management leader, SUEZ North America. Paramus, New Jersey-based SUEZ, […] More

Imagine you’re a short-haul fleet manager working in a metropolitan area with drivers dispatched throughout the region. One driver is in a residential area with tight, winding roads, and another is stuck in traffic with […] More

“You call. We haul,” says Candace Self, safety director at H&H Concrete on Demand. With the help of FleetLocate by Spireon, H&H does it safely, efficiently, and accountably. Every day. THE BUSINESS H&H Concrete on […] More

What is IoT and how does it relate to the work truck industry? IoT stands for the Internet of Things: the computer revolution occurring due to the increasing inexpensiveness of putting low-powered computers into things […] More

In the future, vehicles will be voice activated, automatically take you directly to work or home merely by sensing the time of day, read the morning news, and even brew your coffee. Well, who knows […] More

Within the current fleet marketplace, trucks are the go-to platform for deliveries. From long-haul to last mile, trucks have been the easiest option for decades. For years, trucks have evolved into niche categories to address […] More

By May 2018, all new vehicles with a GVWR of less than 10,000 lbs—including buses and on-road trucks—must be equipped with rear visibility technology to comply with the upcoming FMVSS 111 mandate. This final rule […] More

Voltage drops and low-voltage conditions are bad news when it comes to system component life on a vehicle. It’s a familiar scenario in many vocational fleet operations—the vehicle is off, but power is necessary to […] More

Why use an idle reduction system? To save your fleet money—it’s that simple, because over time a good system will pay for itself. Of course, how much you pay for the system and how much […] More

Whether asking for driving directions to a new restaurant, checking the weather for weekend plans, or ordering a bag of dog food online, voice-based technology has become a staple of modern life. Although most people […] More

XL Hybrids, Inc., the leader in connected fleet electrification solutions for commercial and municipal fleets, will begin production on the XL3® Hybrid Electric Drive System for Model Year 2018 Ford Super Duty® F-250 pickups in […] More

Fans of Chevin Fleet Solutions might be excited to read that the fleet-management software provider has launched the first phase of user interface upgrades to its flagship software product. FleetWave software—used in more than 180 […] More

In the custom-design world, visuals are everything. Hearing how an upfitted truck will look is a far cry from seeing one with added shelving, partitions, storage bins, cabinets, drawers, and/or ladder racks. But if the […] More

Gone are the days when a worker has to stoop down and use a gauge to check every tire in a fleet yard. Once again, technology is transforming the way we accomplish manual tasks. With […] More

Telematics has proven to be a game changer for fleet-based businesses, enabling the ready exchange of information between vehicles and a central manager. But while awareness of its benefits has significantly increased recently, telematics is […] More

As the list of new or upgraded fleet management technology continues to grow, it’s imperative you get the most from your original investment. Within that list, asset tracking capabilities are booming, but the question remains: […] More

Interstate Batteries, a leading supplier of batteries to thousands of garages, retail outlets, repair facilities, and vehicle dealerships across North America, has earned a reputation for reliable, timely service. Its company slogan of “Outrageously Dependable® […] More

BY CHRIS VILLELLA Analytics has spread into every element of business and our daily lives, and the fleet industry now has tools that provide insight into your fleet’s risk exposure like never before. ANALYTICS OVERVIEW […] More

Few things are more appealing to fleet managers than guaranteed savings. With uncertainty around costs, maintenance, and other budget considerations, it’s nice to be able to present future savings in bold, black ink. Derive Efficiency […] More

Big data is one of the topics on many people’s minds these days. In case that immediately makes you uncomfortable, I’d like to demystify it for you. In an industry that’s rapidly streamlining efficiency around […] More

In the eyes of his company’s executive team, Blair Schober is a fleet management genius. The US fleet manager for Red Hawk Fire & Security, which offers a full range of fire and security services […] More

There’s no doubt that the number one challenge most fleet manager’s face is the constant, never-ending struggle to reduce cost. Fleet managers are having to get creative to find ways to cut costs, without having […] More

In mid-January, diesel prices stood 47 cents higher per gallon than a year ago, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Regular unleaded increased almost as much. That puts pressure on fleet budgets, but for […] More

Black & Veatch is a global engineering and construction company, specializing in critical utilities, including energy, water, and telecommunications, with more than 11,000 employees in more than 100 countries. Many people rely on the company’s […] More

When a leading global automotive parts manufacturer was faced with a failing internet protocol (IP) video surveillance system, the company reached out to Oklahoma-based Digi Security Systems to supply a new one. Beginning with high-quality […] More

Most companies invest in SkyBitz Local Fleets tracking technology because a real-time view of their most basic assets helps them maximize routing efficiency, track employee vehicle usage, stay on top of maintenance schedules, and even […] More

Across the nation, in both commercial and government fleets, accountability is the primary concern of managers and directors. And, it is more than, “Where is my vehicle?” Today’s telematics is far more than a dot […] More

The work truck business will inevitably evolve as new devices and systems exert their impact on it. It’s equally certain that the pace of this change will accelerate—technological progress works that way—and we’ll be witnessing […] More

In the news, autonomous and “self-driving” vehicles continue to receive our attention—with commercial truck fleets joining passenger cars in speculation on how transportation will change in the near future. But, the vehicles themselves are only […] More

SkyBitz Local Fleets tracking solution helps Sam Wexler Plumbing move from outdated paper maps to state-of-the-art GPS technology. SITUATION Ross Wexler, IT manager for Sam Wexler Plumbing, can remember a time when his drivers would […] More

Fleet managers dedicated to minimizing accidents among their drivers have several options for assessing and managing risk. Until now, that has primarily involved tracking and responding to recent driver history. An ongoing study of a […] More

Mobile data traffic has increased exponentially over the last nine years—150,000 percent, according to AT&T. Along with making calls or sending text messages, the rise of the smartphone has increased mobile data usage because of […] More

Many fleets start out with a truck or two and high hopes, but rarely anticipate the need for a system designed specifically to manage their business as it grows, adding assets and personnel as they […] More

In recent years, the rising number of daily obstacles facing commercial vehicle operators has also resulted in the demand for commercial vehicle cameras to skyrocket. Commercial vehicle drivers are facing increased pressure regarding safety and […] More

Based in central New Jersey, Meadow Services offers a wide array of services, including lawn maintenance and landscape design. They serve commercial clients, as well as residential properties. “We are a small landscaping company and […] More

In tough economic environments, the natural inclination of most companies is to cut costs, including strategic long-term investments. The bottom line is that profitability must be preserved at all costs and tactical considerations become more […] More

Why are we doing fewer jobs and why is each job taking longer?   Years ago, I owned multiple carpet and upholstery cleaning franchises and oversaw 50 employees and a fleet of 15 trucks. In […] More

There is an old saying that rings true for all types of fleets, every day: “Time is money.” As fleet executives also know, when a vehicle is out of service there are significant costs beyond […] More

It can be a challenge to uncover the actual fuel efficiency value of a new technology, a change in operating practices, or even the impact of driver training. To make informed decisions, fleets need accurate […] More

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published the final rule mandating fleets to install an electronic logging device (ELD) in all vehicles that are currently required to keep record of duty status (RODS). THE […] More

PIT Group director, Yves Provencher, says, “With the continual need to improve competitiveness and the increase in environmental compliance restrictions, the demand for green technologies has never been stronger. Large and small operations that field […] More

How much more productive would your drivers be if you were sitting with them in the front seat of the vehicle? Do you know how much employee downtime costs you annually? These are questions quickly […] More

Since its inception in 1991, Canadian Utility Construction (CUC) has provided a complete range of underground construction services, specializing in construction and maintenance services for utility companies throughout Western Canada, including natural gas, electricity, and […] More

Fleet managers have multiple priorities: make sure the job gets done, keep drivers safe, and reduce cost. Top on that priority list isn’t exactly “save the planet.” Integrating electric vehicles (EVs) into an established fleet […] More

Today’s fleet managers know that to be successful on any project, they need to have access to tools that will help them work safer, smarter, and more profitably. The secret to being successful is to […] More

Imagine that you are driving a company vehicle and start to exit the highway on a crowded New York City off-ramp when suddenly the passenger car next to you swerves into your lane and collides […] More