Truck GPS tracking provides business and safety benefits for trucking companies

Trucking companies that use GPS tracking can save money through being able to see, track and manage their fleet in real time. The Navman Wireless fleet monitoring system takes the guesswork out of vehicle location, job dispatching, and job scheduling to help trucking companies improve revenues by ensuring trucks are on the road, loaded and driving optimised routes.

Reduction of costs is another benefit as the system monitors and provides real time feedback on factors such as engine idling. This allows fleet managers to make changes that improve fuel economy, and reduce engine wear and tear. They can also achieve significant cost and time saving benefits through better management of vehicle maintenance. Using the fleet monitoring system, fleet managers can set up flags and automatic alerts for when trucks are due for maintenance, based on pre-defined dates, mileage or engine hours. They can set these alerts up in advance to ensure that they have time to call in the truck for punctual maintenance. They can also digitally record what servicing has taken place, noting dates and costs against each vehicle, to automatically create maintenance records.

Fleet managers have a responsibility to keep an eye on their drivers to ensure they're taking care of themselves and the vehicle. Tracking allows them to monitor employee behaviour in real time and be proactive about remedying any risks or hazards. They can then provide supervision or training to employees to comply with safety policies. This sends a clear safety message by demonstrating that the company is actively monitoring fleet conditions to provide and maintain a safe working environment. Tracking solutions enable businesses to locate employees in their vehicles to within four metres, and there are solutions available which use satellite technology to provide continuous coverage, even in remote areas, to ensure the safety of drivers on or off the road. In instances of reduced network coverage, managers can still track an employee's last recorded vehicle location, something that mobile phone tracking cannot provide.

Because truck drivers often transport goods over long distances, travelling through remote areas at night, driver fatigue can be an issue. Responsibility is shifting to business owners to ensure that drivers take sufficient breaks to prevent this. Fleet tracking enables businesses to monitor the components of an individual driver's work day, including the time spent driving, loading and stationary. Monitoring takes place via a personal identification number which must be entered when the ignition is turned on or off. These unique identifiers are vital when a driver uses multiple vehicles as they allow fleet managers to undertake a high level of supervision to protect drivers from risks to their health and safety.

With an increasing focus on health and safety practices in the workplace, now is the time for trucking companies to take a look at how they manage health and safety – and the Navman Wireless fleet monitoring system provides a valuable tool to improve this.