Transportation

Anyone familiar with paper-based driver dispatch knows how time consuming and prone to tampering it can be. As a fleet manager, your ability to monitor mobile assets and drivers provides the data you need to know where to reduce inefficient driving practices, and also improve driver safety and customer service.

Case Study

With a need to control escalating costs, a full service wholesale provider of propane—with approximately 60 employees, 40 vehicles and 3 dispatch centers—needed to find new ways to improve the efficiency of its trucking fleet. Based in central California, it was looking for a complete and reliable fleet management solution to provide visibility into its fleet operations.

Challenge

Its biggest challenges were that it needed to reduce fuel consumption, comply with government regulations, and increase security and safety of mobile workers and assets. There was also a concern with paper logs (due to their inherent inefficiency), and errors threatened to undermine the company’s credibility in the eyes of highway DOT regulatory authorities. While the company’s driving record was relatively good, there was an increasing concern that—with increasing regulation in the industry—luck would run out.

Solution

They chose Webtech Wireless, because as an end-to-end solution, it provided a comprehensive way to solve several problems all at once:

• Automated HOS reporting (including Driver ID)
• IFTA fuel-tax reporting
• In-cab two-way communications
• Vehicle diagnostics
• Vehicle tracking and telemetry
• Asset management (trailer tracking)

Proof

By replacing their old paper-based forms, the company optimized how it tracked both vehicles and the materials it transported. The company worked with Webtech Wireless’ Professional Services Group to create custom pickup and delivery forms for billing purposes. Webtech Wireless’ extensive reporting features allowed them to go further by providing exception-based reporting to show only occurrences that were outside the norms (for example, only where drivers exceeded the speed limit).

Drivers can now enter departure, arrival, and delivery information using the MDT in-cab devices. The MDT devices use this information and AVL information gathered from the vehicle odometer readings to send precise information about the distance traveled, the time spent on site, and the material delivered.

Back at the office, fleet managers view this information in real time and, because it’s integrated with their back-end billing software, the information is available to send invoices to customers.

Key Benefits of a Webtech Wireless Transportation Solution

In the transportation sector, fleet intelligence means that you have the intelligence to manage your business regardless of where your fleet is.

• Regulatory compliance
• Two-way communication for safety
• Trailer tracking

Regulatory Compliance

It’s easy to adhere to regulatory compliance using a Webtech Wireless MDT, because tracking is automated, accurate, and tamper proof. Drivers simply enter their status according to four categories (Off Duty, Sleeping, Driving, and On Duty), and the MDT tracks hours of service in real time—no paper work to complete at end of shift. Transportation authorities know that automated HOS tracking is tamper proof, so drivers using it tend to have a higher degree of compliance, leading to fewer roadside checks for your entire fleet.

 “The biggest immediate impact of HOS will likely be the cost and the increasing calls to end the 70-year-old outdated practice of paper log books, often called “comic books” by drivers and industry officials.”
-- John D. Schulz, Contributing Editor, Logistics Management Magazine

Driver ID ensures the right driver is being monitored. For long-haul driving, co-driver capabilities allow multiple drivers to enter their hours within the need to log in and out of the MDT, thereby making it easier for them to maintain HOS compliance.

Two-Way Communication for Safety

Two-way communication—a core feature of the MDT—enables drivers to exchange text messages with the dispatch office as well as with other drivers. Back at the dispatch office, fleet managers can use a web interface to view and respond to messages and driver logs in real-time.

When sending text messages, drivers can also choose from predefined canned messages—standard message buttons that drivers can simply press to send a message without needing to type text. This allows drivers to focus on driving, instead of texting. For additional safety, the optional auto-lock feature disables the MDT while the vehicle is in motion.

Trailer Tracking

The Webtech Wireless trailer tracking solution is designed to manage mobile assets that are moved infrequently or only moved with authorization. Knowing where expensive mobile equipment is and controlling authorization tightens your security and eliminates unauthorized use. Any time an asset is moved or any time an asset moves during off hours, you receive trigger notifications.