| "body"> | | | | the right route to the right place and, if there are |
| Fleet management isn't simply a question of | | | | any potential road-problems on the route ahead, |
| ensuring that drivers are given their destinations | | | | the fleet manager can redirect the driver, saving |
| before leaving the depot. A fleet manager now | | | | valuable time. In addition, the manager can ensure |
| holds many responsibilities, such as keeping a tally | | | | that drivers are driving at the optimum rate for |
| of the number of vehicles a company has, | | | | the efficient use of fuel. With the whole fleet |
| managing the drivers, keeping track of routine | | | | observing speed restrictions and covering more |
| maintenance and routine diagnostics and keeping a | | | | direct routes, vast fuel-savings can be made. |
| record of the fuel consumption of individual | | | | GPS tracking also allows the fleet manager to |
| vehicles, as well as the company as a whole. | | | | make use of vehicles that may have suddenly |
| Driver safety is also a priority for the fleet | | | | become available. In the event that a driver |
| manager and he will need to ensure that each | | | | reaches a drop-off or pick-up ahead of schedule, |
| driver takes the legally required breaks to keep | | | | the fleet manager can put the vehicle to good |
| them safe on the roads. Ultimately, the fleet | | | | use within the locality, perhaps covering an |
| manager is responsible for the efficiency, safety | | | | unexpected or emergency job that has suddenly |
| and productivity of a fleet of vehicles. | | | | come up. Using GPS devices, there is little reason |
| In the days before Vehicle Tracking Systems, | | | | to have drivers waiting for the next job. |
| fleet managers had to rely on a certain amount | | | | For drivers, vehicle tracking systems can be of |
| of trust; trusting that their drivers were where | | | | great benefit in the event of disputes, such as an |
| they were supposed to be at certain times. In | | | | accident; the accuracy of GPS systems is such |
| addition, drivers had to trust that fleet managers | | | | that the data they save can be used to |
| had their best interests at heart; sending them to | | | | reconstruct accidents, rather like the 'Black Box' |
| the right place at the right time and that any | | | | on an aeroplane. Security also benefits from GPS |
| emergency calls would be answered as swiftly as | | | | devices; vehicles fitted with these units are far |
| possible. While trust is still an important part of | | | | easier to recover than those without. In turn, this |
| any workforce, GPS Tracking removes the | | | | can benefit the fleet manager, as the added |
| burden of proof from both parties; GPS devices | | | | security of GPS can bring insurance premiums |
| are like carrying impartial observers who collate | | | | down; another great saving. |
| information for both the company and the driver. | | | | Ultimately, these devices can also increase a |
| For fleet managers, vehicle tracking devices allow | | | | company's profitability; if used to their full |
| them to know exactly where a vehicle is at any | | | | potential, GPS systems can help increase the |
| given time - with an accuracy of between 5 - 20 | | | | efficiency of a fleet of vehicles. Increased |
| feet. GPS tracking can also show the speed and | | | | efficiency often means repeat business and |
| direction of a vehicle in 'real time'. This is | | | | recommendations which, in turn, mean a growing |
| immediately useful in ensuring that a vehicle is on | | | | client list. |