How Trucking Telematics Can Help Safeguard Your Company

Motor carriers successfully realizing positive return on investment are achieving this through an understanding and implementation of management controls in successfully guiding their operations. Although no two motor carriers are alike, there are basic common truths that facilitate efficient and safe operations in the trucking industry.

For some motor carriers, this could mean going back to the basics and working to ensure their process of driver selection, driver training, operations and dispatch, maintenance, and DOT compliance all facilitate efficient and safe operations. Without these fundamentals in place and working for a motor carrier, the cost of operation will typically be higher. For others, having already done the work ensuring the basics are in place, adding technology—particularly telematic technology now available to the trucking industry—can help control costs and provide a better employee and customer experience.    

Some use of telematics is already widespread, such as complying with the hours-of-service mandate using electronic logging devices (ELDs) and GPS technology. However, this is just the beginning. Innovative fleets have moved beyond compliance and are looking to telematics to obtain a competitive edge in their trucking operation with more comprehensive fleet management tools. Additionally, many ELD, GPS, and other device manufacturers offer additional capabilities, including:

• Driver Safety
  1. Cameras
  2. Harsh driving event monitoring
  3. Aggressive or distracted driving monitoring
  4. Seat belt usage
  5. Driver scorecard and coaching opportunities
• Asset Management
  1. Refrigerated van temperature monitoring
  2. Door and cargo security
  3. Utilization
  4. Wake on motion
• ECM Truck Interface and Wi-Fi
  1. GPS location and asset tracking
  2. Tractor diagnostics
  3. Route and fuel optimization
  4. Tractor maintenance
     • Technician remote diagnostics
     • Preventative maintenance
     • Engine codes
     • Temperatures
     • Fuel data
• Driver Interface
  1. Hours-of-service logs
  2. DVIR pre/post-trip inspections
  3. Documentation sharing
  4. Messaging
  5. Proof of delivery

Motor carriers’ telematic needs vary, given the wide range of industries served by the trucking industry.  However, some common considerations exist when deciding whether to incorporate additional telematics in your operation. Some tips include:

• Perform your own due diligence. What is your competition doing that seems to work? What do vendors offer in terms of systems that are simple to use, reliable, and have the greatest uptime?  This takes a little work, but you can avoid wasting time and money in the long run.
• Request a trial period from a prospective vendor. If they are confident in their product, they may be willing to offer a free trial period. 
• Formulate and create a companywide introduction of new systems, with safeguards built in using your old systems until the new ones prove themselves reliable. Maintain backup plans in the event a system goes down.
• Don’t get caught in the mountains of data that you will have available. Identify your initial main goals and focus on those specific areas for improvement before biting off more. 
• Be wary of integrating multiple systems from competing vendors and expecting them to communicate and work together. Circle back to doing your due diligence and identify what will work for your company before putting your hard-earned money down.

Finally, be aware of other platforms that can enhance your operation’s efficiency, including truck maintenance, dispatch and load board, and trucking accounting software. Many of these tools can save time and money if they fit your operation, and they are often quite affordable.