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Tips for truckers

Canada’s Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate

Canada's Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate: Improving Road Safety for Commercial Drivers

The Canadian government has recently implemented a mandate requiring most commercial drivers to use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to track their hours of service (HOS). This new regulation aims to improve road safety by helping to prevent driver fatigue and ensure compliance with HOS regulations. ELDs are a vital tool in maintaining the safety of commercial drivers and the general public on Canada’s roads. 

ELDs are connected to a commercial vehicle’s engine and automatically record the HOS data, including the amount of time a driver spends driving, as well as the amount of time the driver spends on other activities such as sleeping or eating. The data is then used to create reports and monitor compliance with the regulations.

The ELD mandate applies to most commercial drivers in Canada, including those who operate trucks, buses, and other vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of over 4,500 kilograms. Exceptions may apply to drivers who are exempt from HOS regulations or who operate vehicles that are not equipped with an ELD.

Overall, the ELD mandate is expected to improve road safety by helping to reduce fatigue-related accidents and ensuring that commercial drivers are following the HOS regulations. By implementing this important measure, the Canadian government is taking steps to ensure the safety of commercial drivers and the general public on the roads.

by Hayley Polidoro

How to Build A Fleet Budget

How to Build A Fleet Budget

Other than managing maintenance and drivers as a fleet manager, managing budgets are also a part of a fleet manager’s job. As with every successful business, keeping track of expenses and lowering costs is the key to running a sustainable and profitable business. A fleet budget oversees every expense related to a fleet, from fuel costs to maintenance costs, nothing is overlooked in a budget.

What constitutes the costs of the fleet?

Fleet costs can also be called costs of ownership. It’s all costs that come with owning a fleet. And this is important for fleet managers to keep in mind as overlooking may lead to overspending and cut into profits. When calculating these costs, it’s important to keep interest rates and taxes in mind as these can pile up on large purchases. Marking and keeping track of return value of your trucks are important if you decide to sell your assets as well as all the maintenance costs associated with the fleet. These miscellaneous costs may add up and will become deadly if overlooked.

How to reduce costs with fleet management?

Using telematics such as ELDs can help with organizing data and looking at what constitutes higher costs. This makes it easier for fleet managers to pinpoint the root of the problem. Fleet managers can optimize fleet operations and create an impact on finances.

For example, some common things that fleet managers can look at to lower costs are:

» Idling and fuel economy
» Reduce risky driver behavior for lower insurance costs
» Creating maintenance schedules
» Keeping track of vehicle value from purchase to disposal

Fleethunt’s fleet management software tracks important information and shows trends in different parameters that will help fleet managers adjust strategies to reduce unnecessary costs. For example, high fuel consumption can be reduced from better fleet utilization. Learn more about saving money with telematics in this article here.

Setting up a fleet budget

Fleet managers can set up a fleet budget with just a few simple steps and some help with fleet management software.

 

  1. Set up some goals for the financial year
    It’s important to have a goal before setting up a budget. Whether it be reducing costs, maximizing profits or even both, having a solid goal makes it easier to strategize and focus on what needs to be done. This goal should also keep changes in mind as well. Whether it be implementing electric trucks into the fleet or expanding operations, having a solid goal helps tailor your strategies towards it.

  2. Reviewing past years
    Learning trends and information from past years can help create strategies that tailor to what the fleet needs. For example, a history of high idling times can be tackled by putting more emphasis on reducing idling times in driver training programs. Using fleet management softwares help with showing you all kinds of data so you can review and evaluate on what needs to be done. For example, overspending or underspending, utilization or whether past strategies were successful.

  3. Future year predictions
    Along with goals, predictions are a good way to create strategies that will help with meeting long term objectives while keeping the flexibility to change. There are many cases where fleet managers set one-size-fits-all goals to their fleets. However when predicting future year spendings, fleet managers can optimize and manage costs accordingly.

  4. Comparing results to budgets
    When the financial year ends, it’s important to compare the actual spending to budgets. It gives fleet managers a chance to reflect and review on unexpected costs and tailor the budget for next year. Furthermore, the information gives an evaluation on whether the budget was too modest or too ambitious to begin with. Fleet managers can then use this information to create budgets that are easier to achieve.

Telematics and budgeting

Telematics are crucial when budgeting for a fleet. For a budget to be successful and accurate, it’s important to have as much information as possible to make informed decisions. Fleet management software takes data in and analyzes it to form graphs and trends that fleet managers can use as a reference. For example, Fleethunt fleet management software provides information on idling times, fuel economy, driver behavior and more to help fleet managers create programs targeting different problems. It’s important to budget out the costs of the fleet if you don’t want your account books in red.

by Glogin

The Beginner’s Guide to Fleet Management

The Beginner’s Guide to Fleet Management

Fleet management is the key to many businesses in the transportation industry. Fleet managers oversee the whole fleet in order to manage, organize as well as assess goals in their fleets. These may include fuel economy, fleet efficiency as well as monitoring driver behaviors and vehicle well-being. In order to effectively take care of all these tasks, many companies choose to invest in telematics as a one-stop solution to all their problems.

Why is fleet management important?

Whether you own a small or large fleet, there is no denying that it is hard to keep track of your vehicles as they move across town, let alone the country. Relying on individual reports from your drivers may also be affected by factors such as delays in information relay or inaccurate reports. In fact, relying on drivers alone to report their status while they drive your trucks is just unnecessary work on top of what they need to handle. By using a fleet manager to manage your fleet, you benefit from all of the following.

 

  1. Driver Satisfaction

It is no surprise that one of the main problems fleets are facing is driver retention. Fleet management not only keeps the information necessary to understand why drivers are leaving your fleet, you will also be able to find the best solutions and incentives to keep your drivers happy on the road. Fleet managers can help with building a stronger relationship between management and drivers as well as look into improving workplace conditions and programs to incentivise drivers.

 

  1. Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Compliance

By June 12th 2022, ELDs will be a mandatory installation in all commercial vehicles in Canada. This mandate comes in to replace the paper logging system and aims to help with reducing driver fatigue among commercial vehicle drivers. ELDs log everything from fueling to hours of service of commercial vehicles electronically and are managed by fleet management to ensure the information is accurate. Click here to look at FleetHunt’s ELD solutions here.

 

  1. Fleet Tracking

Fleet managers use trackers to track the location of where their trucks or vehicles are in real time. By using advanced GPS systems, fleet managers are able to monitor and check the location of anything ranging from a few trucks to thousands of trucks across the country. Not only will managers be able to redirect trucks to safer or faster routes, retrieval of hijacked or rogue trucks won’t be a problem as well. Learn more about truck tracking in this blog article here.

 

  1. Lowering Costs

With fleet management, telematics are able to provide information that highlights what is making a hole in your wallet. Whether it is the low fuel efficiency or the increased idling time among your drivers, or even if it is a maintenance problem among some of your vehicles, fleet management can help with identifying these problems for your managers to implement change. You can then put your money into what’s important and not worry about losing it to unnecessary charges while managing your business. Learn more about ways you can save money with fleet management here.

Telematics in Fleet management

With the implementation of ELD mandates and the advancements of technology, many fleet managers turn towards using telematics for managing their fleets. Rather than using traditional pen-and-paper reports, telematics allow for instant, efficient and reliable information relay between the managers and the fleets. Report analysis and driver profiles make it easier for fleet managers to compile the huge sets of data into easily accessible form and implement programs that are specific to the problem at hand. Other than improving efficiency among the fleet, evolving telematics only require software updates and a one-time installation rather than replacing expensive hardware.

Future of fleet management

Fleet sustainability should be the goal of all fleet managers right now. With the goal of protecting the environment and creating a positive impact on society, fleet managers should know that fleets are not just teams of trucks anymore. With the help of new technology such as blockchain data or electric vehicles, managers are given more and more options to choose the better choice in reducing their impact on the environment and promote a sustainable culture among their fleets. With everyone working a step closer to our future, there is much to benefit from fleet management in the years to come. Learn more about fleet sustainability in this blog here.

 

Regardless of the industry you’re in, Fleethunt aims to help you in ways tailored for your business. Whether it is towing, passenger transit, construction or the moving industry, our ELD solutions are available to aid in your operations. Click in the respective industries to learn more.

by Glogin

Off Road Equipment Maintenance

Off Road Equipment Maintenance

Other than trucks, off road equipment face a lot of wear and tear in their daily usage. These equipment also require delicate care when operating as well as careful maintenance due to the risk it poses to operators safety. As such it is important to keep a strict maintenance schedule and make sure everything is working properly before something catastrophic happens. Keeping off road equipment at peak performance and extending their life spans should be on the top priorities for a fleet manager.

Planning a maintenance schedule

Having a maintenance schedule is part of taking preventive measures that aims to stop problems from happening. It helps with checking minor faults that could snowball into bigger problems down the road. It’s common to see fleet managers set 500-hour, 1000-hour intervals for regular services or even by other parameters such as mileage etc. Using software such as Fleethunt Technologies fleet management software, fleet managers can set up reminders at certain intervals so operators can take the equipment in for maintenance.

How to smoothen the maintenance process

Using telematics is a great way to help expedite the process. It also helps with making it easier to schedule maintenance and keeping everything on track. Using Fleethunt fleet management software, fleet managers can customize maintenance schedules as well as checklists so different assets can have their own personalized plan. For example, an older model may require more frequent checks and a dangerous heavy equipment may require checks every other week.

 

Missed maintenance checks can also be viewed in Fleethunt’s fleet management software and maintenance status can be viewed by more than one person. This means nothing will be overlooked and maintenance schedules can be kept. Alerts on missed checks also help fleet managers prioritize certain assets first in order to meet the requirement.

Asset utilization

Imagine having two shovels and you are trying to dig holes. If you use one shovel for 12 hours a day while using the other shovel for only 2 hours a day, the shovel being used more will break down sooner than the other. However, if you even it out to 7 hours each, you will be able to dig for longer and dig more holes. That is called asset utilization. Having a piece of equipment working most of the time while another machine is being underutilized will increase the chances of breakdown of the overworked machine. Spacing out and utilizing both evenly can make sure your machines take on the least amount of work while still producing the same or better efficiency. This helps with maintaining and prolonging the lifespan of your assets. Fleethunt fleet management software allows fleet managers to track utilization among assets and coordinate for maximum efficiency. Click here to learn more about telematics in the construction industry.


Using telematics

Telematics help with streamlining the whole process from creating customized maintenance schedules to alerting fleet managers of missed maintenance and tracking asset utilization. Fleet managers are able to keep their assets healthy and extend their life span to save money on repairs and replacements. Not only does this benefit your company, but it also helps promote a sustainable business. Click here to learn more about fleet sustainability.

by Glogin

Importance of Data Cleaning

Importance of Data Cleaning

Now that we are living in the world of data, everything can be represented by a set of numbers or clusters of information in the cloud. However, there are many cases where data may be muddled up, duplicated or corrupted that turns into junk data that prevents us from seeing what we want to see. With so many data clusters around the cloud, clean up is important to make sure data is clean and represents high quality information that helps with our work.

 

 

Data cleaning is an important part of a fleet manager’s job. When looking at huge sets of data everyday and making timely decisions based on the data, they have to make sure that the data is accurate. And by doing so, they need to correct inconsistencies either manually or through fleet management softwares.

Benefits of data cleaning

There are multiple benefits to data cleaning. All of which makes the tedious task worth doing.

1) Removing inconsistencies and errors

Inconsistencies and errors may arise when different datasets are pulled into a cloud system. For example, individual data sets from ELDs in your fleet pulled into the fleet management software may show inconsistent numbers or incorrect data inputs.

 

2) Higher efficiency
Clear data means you can read the data without any need to double check or guess for consistency. Accurate information allows for accurate decisions with less time spent.

 

3) Higher satisfaction
Less errors mean customers are happy and everyone else on the team happy.

 

4) Better understanding of data

Clean data makes it easier to manipulate and learn how to interpret it.

How to clean data?

Cleaning data can be done in a few simple steps.

1) Monitoring errors and inconsistencies.

Data errors usually occur with a trend as they usually come from the same source. This will help in identifying the root cause and help fix the problem of data errors. Tracing it back to the cause helps unclog data processing and streamline work in other departments.

 

2) Monitoring points of entry

Data coming in from one point of entry helps reduce the risk of duplicating the data. Multiple points of entry may lead to overlapping data that needs to be deleted after.

 

3) Validating data accuracy

Checking data for validity makes sure the data is accurate and is representing what it should represent. There are many data tools that use AI or machine learning that test for accuracy.

 

4) Deleting duplicate data

Using data cleaning tools help analyze raw data in bulk and delete duplicate data automatically.

 

 

Having a clean set of data is more than just having better organization and easier access. It also means the data can be used for deeper analysis and processing. With the help of Fleethunt Technologies ELD solutions and fleet management software, this data can be further used to develop business strategies or programs to increase driver retention and customer satisfaction. Learn more about fleet management in this article here.

by Glogin

Using Telematics to Help With Truck Maintenance

Using Telematics to Help With Truck Maintenance

No matter how good a truck may be, there will come a day where something goes wrong. A blown tire, an issue with the engine or maybe the truck is in need of an oil change. However, it’s possible for fleet managers to devise maintenance plans that are preventive in nature to stop accidents or prevent asset downtime. With a solid and effective plan, trucks of all kinds can be kept at their best condition as possible and keep trucks on the roads rather in garages waiting to be fixed.

Creating A Maintenance Plan

In order to keep all assets checked up and updated, fleet managers use technologies such as telematics to obtain information about the assets no matter where they are. The information is sent into a cloud- based storage system which is then accessed and analyzed using another software by the fleet managers. For example fleet managers can set up alerts and reminders for inspection and even be notified for issues that come up in their assets, preventing a major breakdown from happening. These telematics also allow instant communication between fleet managers and their fleets to keep them notified of anything important that comes up with their trucks. Learn more about what telematics can do in this article here.

 

However, different trucks require different plans. And with most fleets composed of larger rigs and smaller pick up trucks, it may get a bit confusing with maintenance and inspections without the help of telematics. Fleethunt Technologies fleet management software allows for the creation of individual maintenance plans, which suits fleets that have a variety of assets. The ability to customize plans based on needs will allow for more personalized lists that pinpoint the important parts of each type of asset and better inspect the parts prone to failure. Read more about how telematics can help with fleet management here.

Regular Vehicle Inspections

Taking regular inspections forces all small issues into the light before they snowball into something major. Drivers are also forced to take care of their trucks and maintain it in good condition as well. With the use of telematics, drivers simply have to follow the instructions on a mobile inspection app and send in the relevant information no matter where they are. Fleet managers are then notified of any issues and decide the best course of action. For example, using a mobile checklist ensures drivers take a look at everything that needs to be checked before they go on the road. Missing out on important inspections such as signal lights may lead to catastrophic accidents.

Preventive Maintenance

Other than regular inspections, preventive maintenance makes sure that any issues are solved before they become bigger problems. Taking a proactive measure rather than reactive measures ensures your trucks stay on the road as long as possible and safeguard the lifespan of your trucks. For example, changing oil filters and replacing the engine oil regularly helps with taking care of the engine. It’s not wise to wait till the engine breaks down before you take the truck in for inspection. Not only is the truck spending a lot of downtime in the garage, it puts the drivers at risk as well. Preventive maintenance can be scheduled using the ELD installed in the vehicle and notify truck drivers wherever they are that the truck needs its regular service.

Using ELD solutions

ELD solutions provide a customizable schedule for check ups and maintenance and can create checklists based on the vehicle. For example, having a semi and a normal pick up truck require attention to different things. With that in mind, fleet managers can create checklists that are tailored for different types of vehicles and assets. Tailored checkups will also mean a more accurate gauge on whether vehicles are in good shape or not.

 

ELD solutions also make sure that you are alerted with everything that comes up in your trucks and help you schedule maintenance schedules to prevent downtimes. Other than that, taking care of fleets using ELD solutions can make sure all vehicles get the maintenance they need with the shortest amount of time possible. Fleet managers will be able to expedite the process of maintenance, take on preventive measures and keep track of their fleet’s assets at all times with the help of telematics such as Fleethunt Technologies ELD solutions.

by Glogin

Truck Insurance – How Telematics Can Help With Lowering Insurance Costs

Truck Insurance - How Telematics Can Help With Lowering Insurance Costs

For an owner operator, choosing the right insurance for your truck and operations is one of the most daunting tasks before you can hit the road. However, choosing the right insurance can make the difference between shelling out everything you earned in the past year for an accident or walking away without the need for taking out your wallet.

 

What does it cover?

 

If you own a personal vehicle, then you probably know what the regular auto insurance covers. Truck insurance covers the same things with a few additionals on top of it.

 

 

1) Uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage

This ensures that your vehicle is covered even if you are hit by a vehicle that has either no insurance or decided to hit-and-run from the accident. This pays for any damages to your vehicle on top of covering medical bills and other expenses due to the accident.

 

2) Physical Damage Coverage

This ensures that your vehicle is insured when in a collision or a crash or even stolen. Your repairs are paid for and you may even get a check for a new vehicle if the repair costs exceed the price of your truck

 

3) Primary Liability Damage

This covers the damage your truck causes to others

 

4) Truckers General Liability Coverage

This covers the actions of a trucker who is working on someone’s premises such as a loading dock or a truck stop and covers the mistakes in the delivery of the truck load.

 

5) Non-trucking Liability Coverage

This covers damages and injuries for when the truck is not in dispatch and off the hours.

 

6) Motor Truck Cargo Coverage

An essential coverage that covers you for damages to the goods you are transporting. For example, stolen goods, wet load or any other damages.

Challenges Truck Drivers face when choosing the right insurance

1) Insurance costs and deductibles

The first thing most people look for is the cost of the insurance. Which is a great place to start but the price tag that comes with it rarely reflects the quality of the insurance plan. A cheap plan may appear cheap but have high deductibles while an expensive plan may have a larger price tag but covers you in most cases and has the most extensive coverage for your needs. Deductibles are things you should pay attention to when choosing a plan based on price. The deductible is the amount you have to pay first in order for the insurance to kick in. For example, a larger deductible would mean you have to pay more out of your pocket before the insurance company takes over the charges. Anything over the deductible amount will be covered by the company. Taking care in looking at deductibles and the price can give you a good idea of whether you will face unexpected charges when the time comes.

 

2) Insurance Coverage

Another thing to keep in mind is the coverages an insurance plan offers. While some plans may be abnormally cheaper than others, the reduced cost is usually due to the reduced coverage it provides. This doesn’t mean the policy is bad. For some operators, they may opt for a lower cost and lower coverage for the flexibility while others may need better coverage for the protection and risk they take. For example, you may save some money opting out for a cargo coverage, but these costs may pile up the moment you have to pay off the costs out of your own pocket. Owner operators and fleet managers may require different coverages based on their needs. It may also help for you to analyze your business to choose the coverage you need and opt out in those that are not necessary.

 

3) Choosing an insurer

You should also make sure the insurer you go with has experience with truckers. Having a good reputation in the industry makes an insurer more reliable and you can relax knowing that they know what to do in the case of an accident. Other than sending the best professional help for your needs, these insurers will also be well versed in the trucking field to help manage the situation at a lower cost than usual. You will also be receiving better service from someone who understands your field on top of providing you the resources to handle risks and manage losses effectively.

 

4) Insurance parameters

Insurers view many things on a driver’s profile and a fleet’s profile when issuing their prices for their clients. For example, the rating of a fleet or truck at inspections play a major role in determining the prices. Other than that, driver profiles of owner operators become the reference point which insurers use to assess the pricing of insurance plans. Keeping a good rating for your trucks as well as good driver profiles can help keep the premium down on your plans.

How does ELD and telematics help when choosing an insurance?

You may have heard of auto insurers asking if you’d like to opt in for a device installed in your personal vehicle to reduce insurance prices. These devices are called telematic devices or ELDs. Whether you are in the moving industry, passenger transport industry, construction or even the towing industry, these ELDs can collect accurate information based on your vehicle. This information is then sent to insurance companies to create a driver profile and make sure risky drivers are charged more while safe drivers enjoy a lower cost. The same can be said for trucking insurance. Installing an ELD can help lower costs incurred by the insurer. The additional information can help insurers evaluate the cost of the insurance and provide a better quote for you. Fleethunt Technologies ELD solutions has the ability to track in depth driver behavior such as harsh braking and acceleration, providing the information needed for insurers to identify you as a safe driver. Devices such as dash cameras can also qualify you for a discount due to its valuable use as evidence for accidents. With a simple installation, you end up saving hundreds of dollars a year that could be used towards your deductible or even other maintenance costs. As an owner operator, every penny you can save can be used for something more important. More and more incentives are coming on the way to promote the upcoming deadline for the ELD mandate.


Keeping ELDs updated and having the information for yourself can also help fleet managers devise programs to train drivers to keep their behavior in check. When managing a fleet of dozens of trucks, one or two bad apples may be the reason your insurance plan rises by the year. Installing ELDs ensure your trucks are compliant of mandates and help encourage better ratings for your fleet as well as better driver behavior. All of which directly lowers the cost for your insurance plan.


Choosing the right insurance for your truck may be a daunting task, but with the right amount of research, you will find the best insurance that works best for your operations at the best price possible.

by Glogin

Supply Chain Challenges in the Trucking World

Supply Chain Challenges in the Trucking World

If you were looking for trucks or assets to expand your fleet during the COVID-19 pandemic, you might’ve noticed the increasing prices in dealerships and the shortages of newer models. In 2020, the pandemic has caused plants from all over the world to shut down unexpectedly due to health concerns and created a huge shortage and backlog for the automotive industry – the sister industry to the transportation industry.

 

The COVID-19 shortage

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about two things to the supply chain – an increase in demand for consumer electronics and a reduced supply in computer chips. Other than computer chips, productions in other parts such as plastic and glass are seeing shortages as well. These resources are typically sourced around the world. In normal cases, a shortage in a certain area can be alleviated by relying on other plants or productions. However, a global pandemic such as COVID-19 has prompted governments to impose shutdowns and lockdowns, forcing all sorts of plants and productions to a halt until further notice.

 

 

What does this mean for the transportation industry?

The transportation industry highly relies on the automotive industry. At the end of the day, everything has to be moved by a truck. For example, trucks that need replacement parts will take longer to repair due to shortages and new trucks can’t be ordered and come on time due to the same shortages. Your business may be affected by the piling need for spare parts and eventually cost you the operation. On the other hand, shortages in the supply chain also mean a reduction in products for transport. Until the supply chain is stabilized, you may see a lot of your trucks empty with nothing to carry, further burdening your costs as a fleet manager or an owner operator.

Using ELD and telematics for supply chain shortages

FleetHunt Technologies ELD solutions has the ability to keep assets and supplies on an inventory list, making it easier to keep inventory updated and keep operations running longer than usual. Fleet managers can keep track of stock and order parts accordingly while keeping the current supply chain shortage in mind. By doing so, critical parts can be focused on first as soon as they are available while stocking on other parts for emergencies. For owner operators, ELD solutions also provide preventive alerts about your truck to notify you of issues that need to be addressed. Not only will you be prepared for certain part shortages, you will also have ample time to order and wait for the required parts while keeping the condition of your truck in check. To inquire more about Fleethunt Technologies ELD solutions or ask for a quote, click here.

 

Fleethunt Technologies aim to keep your business and operations running as long as possible even within these unprecedented pandemic times. It is our goal to make sure the transportation industry continues thriving. Read more about fleet sustainability in this blog post here.

by Glogin

Technology Trends in Telematics

Technology Trends in Telematics

The booming IT industry has brought advancements into other industries including the transportation industry. This convenience can be shown in the form of the current ELD mandates and the use of fleet management tools such as dash cameras. The use of this sort of technology has made filing documents, running service checks, managing driver profiles, communication between dispatchers and drivers and many aspects of a fleet manager’s life better and more efficient. And with current advancements and trends in the market, the average life of the fleet manager right now will look different in just a few years.

 

The Daily Life of a Fleet Manager

The average fleet manager has one of the most important responsibilities of a mobile assets company – optimizing mobile assets and making sure expectations are met for customers, the company and the drivers. The fleet manager constantly works under a tight schedule and relies heavily on accurate data to make good decisions that benefit the fleet and the company.

 

A fleet manager spends a good amount of their day building and maintaining relationships with drivers. Other than making sure drivers stay satisfied with their fleet (read more about driver satisfaction in this blog article here), it ensures the working environment for drivers is as safe as possible through training, prevention and monitoring driver behavior and road conditions with the help of ELD solutions.

 

Fleet managers also deal with the legal aspects of a fleet. They spend time making sure the fleet meets all the mandates and regulations as well as making sure compliance is reached to prevent legal issues wherever they go. Once again ELD solutions help with most of these mandates, with softwares updated along with the increasing mandates, ELD solutions provide a one-stop solution to all the legalities for a fleet.

 

Fleet managers are crucial to having assets arrive and depart on schedule and making sure that the whole process is as smooth as possible. From monitoring driver schedules to calculating fuel consumption to monitoring traffic conditions, fleet managers choose the best solution based on the situation to provide the most efficient service with the least disruptions. All of this is made possible with the use of GPS tracking systems and integrating information using a hub like ELD software.

 

Challenges in the Industry

With growing data comes growing concerns about data security. ELD solutions ensure that the information relayed from vehicles are not tampered with and transfers information in real-time to a protected cloud service. Many of these softwares also focus on developing better security year by year which updates itself regularly to prevent security breaches.

 

The industry is ever changing and as long as technology continues to advance, telematics will continue to improve and help the transportation industry grow. Advancements such as 5G cellular networks make it easier to address the challenges faced right now while bringing in even better benefits to fleet managers and their work life. Read about the future of transportation in this article here.

by Glogin

Driver Fatigue and How to Deal with It with Telematic

Driver Fatigue and How to Deal with It with Telematic

We all know that feeling right after work driving on the highway back home. Or that feeling when you drive across town to see your friends and family in a different area. The drowsiness sets in, the highway traffic just rushes past us and there’s just something so hypnotic about those passing street lights and we doze off …

 

We try our best to keep ourselves awake. Talking to the person next to you, blasting music, or even just pinching yourself and somehow you make it to your destination. But truck drivers aren’t as lucky. Driving a large vehicle such as a truck requires special attention and that mentally drains truck drivers when they stay on the road for most of the time. Combined with lack of rest, inconsistent schedules and long drives on the highways, driver fatigue is something most truck drivers are familiar with. While driving these 40 ton trucks around with driver fatigue, it’s dangerous to everyone on the highway, including to the driver himself.

Driving fatigue symptoms

Fleet managers can be alerted of driver fatigue by observing a few telltale signs among their drivers. Educating drivers of these fatigue symptoms also help increase awareness of the problem, encouraging drivers to stop, rest and reassess before going on with their journey.

 

 

» Excessive yawning

» Over blinking

» Burning or heavy eyelids

» Slow reaction time

» Loss of concentration

» Erratic lane changes

» Missing exits on the highway

» Memory Lapses or forgetfulness

Dangers of Driver Fatigue

According to the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police report, 20% of fatal collisions are caused by drowsy drivers. Other than that, being awake for more than 10 hours can impair driving as much as a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%. Being awake for 24 hours is equivalent to a BAC of 0.10%. With the legal limit in Canada being 0.08%, fatigued driving is clearly a dangerous situation for drivers to be in.

 

How to combat driving fatigue?

The obvious answer to this question is to get adequate and enough rest whenever you get the chance to. But life doesn’t always run smoothly for us. By using dash cameras, fleet managers can spot driving fatigue symptoms and alert drivers of their behavior and their status.

 

1. Taking regular breaks.

Driving for long periods of time is mentally draining and contributes to driver’s fatigue. Drivers are recommended to take breaks every 2 hours which helps with staying alert on the road.

 

2. Eating small healthy meals and drinking water

Do you ever feel drowsy after a big dinner or right after lunch? That’s because our body needs energy to digest meals. Sugary snacks and high fat meals also contribute to long term energy level problems. Drinking enough water helps the body get rid of waste buildup in your body that makes you feel sleepy as well.

 

3. Limit caffeine intake

As counterproductive as it may sound, uncontrolled caffeine intake actually makes it easier for you to feel tired when you drive. Many experience a caffeine crash when they take in too much caffeine so it’s wise to drink coffee or caffeinated products unless you really have to.

Combating Fatigue with Telematics

Other than things a driver can do to combat driver fatigue, fleet managers can also use telematics to help combat fatigue. Dash cameras provide a live view of the road and the cabin, allowing fleet managers to notice signs of fatigue as well as signs of dangers on the road such as harsh braking and eccentric driving behaviors. Other than that, monitoring driver behavior through telematics may help fleet managers assess whether more drivers are needed for the fleet as well as rescheduling to ensure drivers in the fleet get ample rest for the road. Fleet managers can also set up reminders for the drivers to take a rest and monitor resting times to ensure that drivers are taking their time to refuel and re-energize themselves.

 

 

With the help of telematics such as dash cameras and ELD solutions, fleet managers can identify driver fatigue before it develops into an irreversible accident. Keeping information using telematics will also help managers devise plans and actions to preemptively stop drivers fatigue and combat them as it presents itself, keeping drivers well rested and safe on the roads at all times.

by Glogin

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