Last time, we discussed smart approaches to “greening” the fleet – specifically changing fleet management and driver behaviors to reduce fuel consumption and reduce carbon footprint.
While we’d all love to completely replace our current fleets with eco-friendly vehicles, that’s not necessarily a feasible action. However, taking a look at the way we do things – starting with the ways we schedule – can have an immediate impact not only on fuel consumption, but on costs and customer service.
To make smart decisions you need information. This will enable you to send the right person to the right job and to assess the urgency or priority over other jobs. You then need further information, such as current location and traffic en route. All these factors play a role in your decisions, which should be focused on reducing mileage and idle time and ultimately the mileage and carbon footprint of your vehicles.
That’s where technology can help. Connected navigation solutions enable you to make the best business decisions. The nearest available vehicles can be selected for a new job and communications sent straight to field staff. Historical trip data can be analyzed to avoid wasted mileage.
And while satellite navigation helps your drivers travel between places by the shortest route, the latest models can now make intelligent use of live information such as real-time traffic and recommend efficient, alternative routes around traffic jams. More predictable travel times not only save time and money, but create more accurate ETAs for customers.
When it comes to greening the fleet, focusing on improving performance through more information and smarter scheduling pays dividends not only for the environment, but also for your business.
Next time: Green driving policies – saving the environment, money and potentially, lives.