Category: Blog

Fleets in the “Run On Less” program are showing off their fleet fuel savings by participating in a national roadshow. These fleets invested in technologies that reduced fuel consumption. 

The Run On Less participants are measuring their fuel consumption with Geotab. They set an ambitious target of 9.0 MPG and receive a live report on their performance. How are they doing?

Since our last update, the fleets are still exceeding their targets. As of the start of Day 15, the cumulative average MPG is 10.1. Overall fleet savings have already exceeded $6,000. Let’s explore a few technologies featured in the roadshow.

Downspeeding

 

Downspeeding is a system where engine speed is reduced. Mark Kuhn of Ricardo Strategic Consulting explains that “you get significant benefit when reducing a traditional 1800 rpm”. Reducing engine speed directly leads to fuel saving.

 

In fact, most fleets save around 2-3% on fuel when implementing downspeeding by itself. Downspeeding is most effective, however, when combined with other initiatives. Mike Roeth, Trucking Efficiency Lead at NACFE explains, “when you do a downspeeding strategy, you need to think about other technologies”.

 

When combined with other technologies, downspeeding effectiveness almost doubles. Combined with tools such as electronically controlled transmission or 6 x 2 axles, fleet fuel reduction is now 3-6%.

 

Lightweighting

 

Trucks are carrying more and more loads. Trucks are also adding driver amenities and other truck features. All of this adds thousands of pounds of weight to the truck. Fleets are balancing added weight with a process called lightweighting.

 

Lightweighting takes weight out of trucks. This involves using cheaper materials or integrating parts to get rid of excessive equipment. Andrew Halon, project manager of lightweighting at NACFE, listed a few examples. “Air suspension systems would save you 275 lbs, a 6×2 [axle] saves 400 lbs, and aluminum frames can save you 1000 lbs.”, said Halon.

 

Reducing unnecessary weight directly leads to fleet fuel savings. Lightweighting increases fuel savings by 0.5 – 0.6% for every 1000 lbs of weight reduction.

 

Platooning

 

Platooning is a way of driving where one truck drives directly behind another truck. This formation improves airflow and reduces fuel by 4% for the lead truck and 10% for the trailing truck.

 

Although platooning is a valuable fleet fuel saving tip, it also presents some challenges. How can trucks drive at a safe distance to one another? How will public drivers react?

 

Recent safety advances made platooning feasible. Some trucks are equipped with distance sensors. These sensors allow trucks to maintain a safe distance and alerts drivers to impending collisions.

 

Solar Power

 

Solar power GPS tracking is becoming more popular in the trucking industry. Solar panels are being mounted on top of tractors and trailers. These panels power in-cab amenities such as HVAC units or power outlets.

 

Solar power is much more efficient than using batteries. “Dead batteries are a real problem,” said Roeth. “Going out to charging batteries and powering the trucks can be a huge expense”.

 

Measuring Fleet Fuel Savings

 

After adding technologies, a key question is, “how can I measure the results?”. In order to see if fuel saving initiatives are effective, many fleets rely on telematics.

 

Vehicle trackers create fuel reports. These reports provide data on how much fuel was saved. A great example are the reports from the Run on Less program. In those reports, managers can see their fleet’s MPG and how much fuel was saved each period.

 

 

References

http://www.truckingefficiency.org/powertrain/downspeeding

http://www.truckingefficiency.org/tractor-aerodynamics/weight-reduction-tractors

http://www.truckingefficiency.org/operational-practices/two-truck-platooning

Geotab recently sponsored the “Run on Less” roadshow to show how trucking is improving on fleet fuel efficiency. 7 fleets are participating in this roadshow. Check out this introduction video:

How it works:

Each of the 7 fleets invested in forms of fleet fuel management. These trucks are equipped with new technology, are designed with aerodynamics, and are driven with efficiency. The fleets are being monitored as part of a cross-country roadshow.

In order to measure fleet fuel efficiency, each of the trucks are equipped with Geotab GO7 tracking devices. Geotab collects real-time fuel consumption data. At the end of each day, this data is summarized into a fleet fuel economy report.

As of Day 9, the cumulative results show that the 7 fleets have an MPG rating of 10.2. This exceeds the fleet fuel efficiency target of 9.0.

Run On Less

Let’s meet some of the drivers & how they are increasing fleet fuel efficiency.

 

Henry Albert @ Albert Transport

 

Run On LessHenry Albert is the business owner and one of the drivers at Albert Transport. Albert drove since 1983 and noticed huge advancements in fleet fuel management. He commented that “smoothness of the ride, the amount of torque that today’s engines have, and automated manual transmission” have all helped him save fuel.

Example of initiatives at Albert Transport

Trailer license plate. Albert noticed that the placement of license plates makes a difference to fuel consumption. Albert and his team of engineers calculated that mounting the license plate below the tail light helps with windflow and reducing fuel consumption.

Thin soled shoes. What are the best shoes for driving? Thin soled shoes are ideal for driving because it allows the driver to feel the pedal and to apply the right amount of pressure. This improves fuel efficiency by reducing harsh stops and harsh acceleration.

 

Brad Long @ Hirschbach

 

Run On LessBrad Long has been driving for over 10 years. This caused him to appreciate fuel efficiency. Long says, “Fuel efficiency is important for me because that’s more miles I can drive before I need to fuel again.” He adds, “Also, I receive a fuel bonus for saving that fuel!”.

Example of initiatives at Hirschbach

Asset Management. Hirschbach closely manages the age of its equipment. All of their trucks are 3 to 4 years old while all of their trailers are 5 years old. This reduces the fleet’s maintenance cost and reduces fuel expense.

Adaptive Cruise Control. ACC is a system that keeps a safe distance between the truck and the vehicle ahead by adjusting the truck’s speed.

Tire systems. Another part of Hirschbach’s fuel strategy is to use a tire pressure system. Its current system does two things. Firstly, it measures what the current tire pressure is. Secondly, it auto inflates or auto deflates tires based on the tire pressure. This improves tire life and decreases fuel expense.

 

Tommy Revell @ Frito-Lay

 

Run On LessTommy has been driving for over 30 years. He noticed that fuel mileage has changed dramatically to when he started Frito-Lay. The company increased their performance from 4-5 MPG to over 9 MPG over Revell’s employment.

Examples of initiatives at Frito-Lay

Idle Shutdown System. Idling management is an important part of fleet fuel reduction. Idle shutdown systems save fuel by shutting down the engine after the truck idles over a specified amount of time.

Aerodynamic Fleets. Another initiative is choosing aerodynamic fleet models. Some of these add-ons may include bumpers with lower dams, side skirts, and wheel covers. These add-ons redirect wind around the truck and increase the easiness of driving.

Source: Run on Less

 

Fleet Managers: Top Challenges They Face

Fleet managers face many challenges when managing a commercial fleet. The top challenges in 2017 are cost-reduction initiatives, increasing productivity, and safety, fuel price volatility.

Cost Reduction Initiatives

The number one challenge for all fleet managers is managing costs. Every year, the pressure is on for fleet managers to save as much money as possible. The weak economy is currently driving most of the extreme pressure to reduce costs associated with fleet operations; however, even when the economy is great fleet managers still feel the pressure. Many fleet managers are tasked with a specific cost reduction percentage goal and it is up them to determine how that will achieve that goal.

Increasing Productivity

It can be very difficult to implement a productivity strategy in a business especially one with large operations. There are so many programs that must be reported and managed. Using GPS fleet management systems, fleet managers have access to valuable tools to increase both operational and route efficiency.

Increasing Fleet Safety

Fleet managers are always looking for new ways to prevent accidents and reduce downtime, associated repair and liability. Some fleets are focusing on improved training for the drivers while others are focused on using a GPS tracking system to improve drivers’ poor behavior. Fleet managers are looking to implement the best fleet management practices to increase safety.

Fuel Price Volatility

The pressure is on for fuel managers to reduce fuel costs; however, most businesses do not provide any capital to get this done. That is why many businesses are turning to Vehicle GPS tracking systems to help address driver behavior and routing. In addition, they are choosing high-mileage vehicles and using fuel cards to examine the fuel purchases. The largest issue, however, is that fleet managers do not know what the future prices are going to be.

Recent hurricanes have spotlighted the importance of utility asset management because utility companies are often the ones who help rebuild regions that are affected.

Hurricanes are ranked from a scale of 1 to 5 in terms of their severity. One of the most recent hurricanes, Hurricane Irma, was ranked as a Category 5 storm – it even set history records! Irma entered the record books for being the longest lasting hurricane in recorded history.

In its aftermath, Irma destroyed 95% of structures in Barbuda, left millions in Florida without power, and killed residents across multiple countries.

Who are some of the people leading the recovery process?

Utility fleet services. These hardworking responders travel to sites to help residents rebuild and recover. Their jobs may range anywhere from restoring power to clearing trees. Here are some ways where utility tracking systems are helping with the recovery process.

Communication

After a major hurricane, there are tons of jobs utility businesses need to track. It is unmanageable for field technicians to call their operation center and report all finished jobs; a better option is to work smart by communicating with an effective dispatch system.

Dispatch systems allow utility businesses to keep track of jobs – here’s how the process would work: When a driver finishes an assigned job, they can use the system to confirm completion. The manager can then assign the next job by tracking the nearest job site.

This creates a lean utility asset management process. It shortens communication time and allows technicians to finish more jobs. Ultimately, this quickens recovery for the areas most affected by hurricanes.

Smart Routes

Utility workers need to know what is the quickest route to take to a job site. This is particularly challenging after a hurricane. Roads are often flooded, blocked, or otherwise inaccessible.

How can drivers avoid these roads and finish jobs quicker?

With dynamic routing. Dynamic routes are created using utility fleet management solutions. Dynamic routes are routes that are updated based on live conditions. For example, if there is a reported road closure, the system re-routes the driver away from the closed road. This prevents drivers from getting stuck or lost.

Man Down Systems

After a hurricane, cell service may be unavailable. This brings up the question – if the helpers need help, how would they call for it? Utility work could be risky as many roads are still flooded and are surrounded by unstable trees.

Utility workers can use man down systems to call for help in case there is no cell signal. These systems use satellite to ensure the device is online at all times. If technicians need help, they can press a button to directly call the operation center.

Satellite Tracking

Utility asset management is usually serviced through cellular networks.

What if cell signals are lost? How can utility managers keep up with vehicle location and keep track of jobs?

When cell-based vehicle tracking is not possible, a reliable alternative is using Iridium satellite tracking. Satellite tracking uses what is known as a “failover system”. Failover systems continue to give updates on vehicle location when cell signals are lost by switching over to satellite tracking. Utility companies can then get updates on vehicle location and job progress at all times.

For more information on utility asset management, check this out!

Sources:
Fleet Owner: Technology in Disasters: 3 Ways Today’s Telematics, GPS Capabilities Shine
DC Velocity: Florida Truck Fleets Triple Activity as Hurricane Irma Approaches
Palm Beach Post: Hurricane Irma: Don’t Have Internet, Cable or Cell Service? Here’s Why

Heavy equipment tracking is not a new concept. 61% of businesses in the construction industry use heavy equipment management software in their operations.

A recent study from SGC Horizon Research Services summarizes the key uses of heavy equipment GPS tracking systems. Here is a list of some of the must-have applications.

Maintenance Scheduling

77% of heavy equipment tracking users say that scheduling maintenance is a must have application. Heavy equipment is constantly used and must be properly maintained. Breakdowns are not only costly to fix but also interrupts valuable business time and becomes a safety hazard.

Traditional maintenance planning involves checklists and inspections. Unfortunately, employees may neglect or may forget to follow processes. This is where a preventative maintenance tool comes in handy.

Preventative maintenance tools schedule and remind employees of service jobs. Administrators often assign service jobs by scheduling daily inspections or by scheduling services based on engine hours. Preventative maintenance, as a result, extend equipment life and prevents breakdowns.

Tracking Equipment Location

Another 77% of businesses say that tracking their equipment location is a must have application. Equipment theft is costing the construction industry millions and millions of dollars. Thieves target heavy equipment because of their high value and because they are often left unattended after hours.

Businesses are fighting back by protecting their equipment with asset trackers. Asset trackers provide real-time tracking. Some trackers even send alerts if an asset is taken out of a marked zone. As a result, businesses can quickly locate and recover assets.

Managing Hours

Time theft is costly for construction companies. Some employees take advantage of payroll systems. They might leave early, take long breaks, or even skip work. Of course, this is all done while being counted on the payroll clock.

A few years ago, the Toronto District School Board experienced similar problems. An audit of their workers revealed that some employees cheated time. Managers found incidents where some employees did not show up for jobs. There were even times where employees used equipment for their own business, all while claiming work hours. How did the TDSB cut down on time fraud?

Like many businesses, heavy equipment GPS tracking systems were used to cut down on time fraud. GPS systems help verify the payroll process by matching up work hours with equipment use. Managers can quickly catch unauthorized breaks and absences by viewing equipment reports.

Mobile Heavy Equipment Tracking

Heavy equipment tracking is also available as a mobile app. Mobile apps are especially useful when workers are working remotely and need a way to communicate with managers.

Some of the common applications of mobile apps include sending pictures of work orders and tracking work orders. A good example is maintenance apps. Managers can send employees reminders to check equipment on their phones. In turn, employees can comment and send pictures of inspections. This creates a well-documented process of fulfilling work orders.

 

Sources:
Construction Equipment: Survey of State-of-the-Art Technology in the Construction Industry
The Star: TDSB Cracking Down on Fraud and Waste in Maintenance

What does successful construction fleet management look like? According to the “Fleet Master” award, successful fleet management means excelling in multiple areas. Areas include cost effectiveness, safety, maintenance, and innovation.

The following three companies used construction fleet management systems to improve their performance.

C & C Group

Fleet Management Objective

C & C Group is a leading facility service provider. One of the fleet’s main objectives was to protect drivers from accidents and from false claims. This was inspired by an incident where one of their drivers was involved in an accident. In other incidents, drivers were accused of bad driving habits. These claims, however, were unsupported by evidence.

Successful Fleet Management @ C & C Group Looks Like…

C & C Group used the Geotab tracking system to protect its drivers. The system notified the business if a driver was not wearing their seatbelt. Drivers were also protected from false claims. Instead of relying on stories, concrete evidence was provided by location history reports. This prevented fraudsters from stealing insurance money from safe drivers.

In addition to protecting drivers, the construction fleet management system protected the business’s bottom line. Construction GPS systems can create fuel reports to measure and reduce cost. C & C used this system to create an idling program. The program automatically emailed drivers when they are stopped to remind them to stop idling. This idea saved the business $350 a month and decreased idling by 46%.

Mineral Technologies

Fleet Management Objective

Mineral Technologies is a mining company that uses a mixed fleet of over the road trucks and heavy equipment. One of its main fleet management objectives was to measure productivity. The company needs a real time measurement system to motivate employees and calculate worker compensation.

Successful Fleet Management @ Mineral Technologies Looks Like…

The business implemented Geotab as its new construction fleet management system. The system went hand-in-hand with productivity targets. It created realtime reports for loading times, drop off times, and dumping times then compared it to company standards.

This was beneficial for both managers and employees at Mineral Technologies. The manager saved time by using real time reports instead of manually creating reports. Employees were able able to check their performance on the company TV after their shift.

Red Hawk Fire & Security

Fleet Management Objective

Red Hawk Fire & Security provides safety technology to businesses. The company is divided into several regions. The Northwest region had a very high accident ratio compared to other regions. The region wanted to improve their safety record and researched for a construction fleet management system.

Successful Fleet Management @ Red Hawk Fire & Security Looks Like…

Red Hawk Fire & Security went with the Geotab system. This system significantly improved safety. Geotab reduced accident rates by 80% by measuring risky driving behaviour and helping correct bad driving habits. It also improved seat belt use. The region reduced seatbelt incidents from 250 incidents on the first day to complete elimination after a week.

The system also provided accountability. Red Hawk Fire & Security was unpleasantly surprised after the Geotab system discovered time fraud. Some drivers stole time by leaving the job site early and claiming a full day’s of work. After implementation, management was able to promote honesty at work and reduced time fraud expenses.

Learn more about GPS tracking devices for construction equipment.

 

Sources:

Construction Equipment: AEMP, Construction Equipment Recognize 2016 Fleet Masters

Geotab: Case Study: C&C Group

Geotab: Case Study: Minerals Technologies

GoFleet: Customer Success Story

Many construction businesses are tackling industry challenges with GPS tracking devices for construction equipment.

Slowdown in productivity, an aging workforce, and complex projects are all examples of industry challenges. The construction industry, after enjoying several decades of expansion, has declined in growth because of these challenges.

Let’s take a look at how these challenges can be tackled with construction GPS tracking.

Low Productivity

Construction companies are experiencing lower margins. From 2016 to 2017, construction gross margins decreased from 23% to 16%. Why are construction companies losing money?

One reason is stagnant labour productivity. Construction workers, compared to other industrial workers, had limited productivity growth over the last 50 years. A big reason is because 63% of labour time is spent on unprofitable tasks such as driving to work sites, taking early breaks, and waiting for work materials.

Solution

Businesses that installed GPS tracking devices for construction equipment are improving their productivity. Project managers are smoothening their day-to-day operations by setting up a tool called “geofencing”.

Geofencing is a powerful construction GPS tracking tool because it allows managers to draw a zone onto a location. Managers can get reports on when vehicles arrive, when vehicles leave, and how long vehicles spend on site.

As a result, projects are more likely to be delivered on time and on budget. Geofences help managers ensure workers are on site during scheduled hours, holds material deliverers accountable, and reduces time sheet fraud.

Labour Skill Drain

The construction industry is facing a decline in workforce skill. 74% of surveyed members in the Associated General Contractors of America feel that there is a crunch in trade skills. What’s causing this shortage?

A big reason is an aging workforce. Traditionalists are mostly gone from the workforce and baby boomers are quickly retiring. By 2020, half of the workforce in the construction industry will be represented by lesser experienced millennials. With a young workforce, there is greater concern for productivity and safety.

Solution

Beyond GPS tracking for construction equipment, employees can also be tracked and protected. Many businesses are protecting lone workers with man down systems.

Man down systems provide a safety net for lone workers. These systems track employees at all times. If an employee gets in an accident, the man down system would detect that an accident occurred. The system then alerts an office supervisor, who can then call for help. This process offsets safety risks from inexperienced workers.

Complex Projects

A lot of construction companies are struggling to keep up with complex projects. Accenture reports that only 30% of construction businesses deliver projects on budget and that only 15% of construction businesses deliver projects on time.

This means that any unplanned events such as equipment breakdown can threaten the success of the project. How can businesses prevent costly breakdowns?

Solution

Improving maintenance is one of the biggest reasons why GPS tracking for construction equipment is used. With maintenance planning, fleets can schedule service based on usage patterns and can receive alerts for engine issues. This lets mechanics fix smaller issues before equipment breaks down and threatens the success of a project.

Sources:
Build Force Canada: Construction & Maintenance Looking Forward
CSI Market: Construction Services Industry Profitability
Digitalist Magazine: Top 4 Challenges Facing the Construction Industry
eSUB Construction Software: Top 5 Issues Facing the Construction Industry in 2017