If you manage a fleet, you already know that even the smallest technological advances can make a huge difference to how you do your job. As technology gets smarter and more user-friendly, fleet managers don’t have to spend as much time tracking down drivers, checking for ways to save on fuel, and keeping ahead of maintenance and repairs. When it comes to managing a fleet, the future promises a ton of new advances to keep the job of fleet manager ever-relevant and hands-on, with a “work smarter, not harder” ethos. From better cell and wifi reception in hard to reach areas to safer on-road protocol, the future promises a ton of advances in fleet management tools and tracking. If you’re trying to bring your business up to speed, here are the 5 most cutting-edge trends that fleet managers are using to up their game on the road and in the office.
1. AI Systems
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a new technology when it comes to fleet management. However, as the years roll by, it’s becoming far more sophisticated than most of us could ever have dreamed of. Thanks to advanced AI, drivers on the road don’t have to deal with guesswork when it comes to performance. New technology allows AI to guide drivers every step of the way, providing up to the minute GPS info, notes on driver performance and behavior, safety reminders, and even ways to limit fuel usage and cut down on idling. AI continues to shape the way transport drivers behave on the road, creating faster, more efficient, and safer jobs. Where before AI technology was able to monitor only in-car behavior, certain systems are now able to scan the immediate area for safety, identifying potential roadblocks or hazards before a driver can see them. By using this kind of preventative technology, fleet managers are able to predict and avoid more accidents on-road and keep jobs running smoothly.
2. Driverless Vehicles
Ever since the idea of driverless cars came into the public imagination, fleet managers have been able to predict a time when driver behavior can be completely programmed and automated on the road. As more driverless vehicles become available to the public, more fleet managers are experimenting with integrating self-driving cars into their fleet. Not only does the promise of driverless cars create a huge amount of potential savings for fleets across the country, it makes driving behavior and patterns completely predictable, allowing fleets to save tons of money per year on gas and insurance costs.
3. Real-Time Safety Updates
Fleet managers depend on getting analytics after each job to create a better, safer plan for company-wide safety procedures. However, when managers have to wait for each job to be completed in order to get safety analytics, the job of compiling and studying them becomes tedious. Today, many fleet management systems offer real-time analytics reports to keep fleet managers abreast of on-road activity. By giving managers a glimpse into what actually happens on the road as its happening, these systems can help prevent larger issues and create fewer traffic jams and idling, as well as help managers stay on top of compliance and safety precautions.
4. Better On-Road Internet Accessibility
Even if you’re using the best GPS software, you’re bound to run into certain blind spots on the road. With newer cars and mobile-friendly systems coming pre-configured for 5G and LTE, there will be fewer gaps between service and communication, fewer blind spots, and better software-defined wide area networks overall to keep drivers and fleet managers alike tuned into traffic reports, safety alerts, and other time-sensitive information. In today’s world, there’s simply no time for internet cut outs or faulty GPS. When a job needs to be completed in a professional, timely fashion, each driver needs to be sure of a complete, uninterrupted signal on the road.
5. G-Sensors
A G-Sensor is a piece of technology that has been around for awhile but has only recently reached a level of advanced maturity to help fleet managers keep tabs on drivers, potential accidents, and insurance claims. Just as many fleets use predictive technology to keep on top of maintenance and repairs, managers are also starting to use G-Sensors to track driver patterns, keep on top of driver fatigue, and provide accurate information as to the cause of accidents to make insurance claims simple and straightforward. With G-Sensors working hard to keep drivers alert and at their best, predictive technology can end up preventing accidents by using a simple dashboard alert or warning signal.