To carry out vital services, councils manage an enormous number of vehicles. But without fully understanding how these vehicles are performing, councils are missing out on optimisation opportunities.
In a world driven by the energy transition and continued technological advancement, councils have the opportunity to reap great benefits by taking advantage of emerging systems and technologies.
Advances in automation, Internet of Things (IoT) and predictive analytics have created new telematics systems that councils can use to manage their fleets, ensuring they stay productive, efficient and safe.
Fleet tracking is a management system that combines the use of GPS location tracking with data analytics software to monitor the activity of a fleet of vehicles and other assets.
Fleet management software gathers data on vehicle location and driver behaviour, which councils can use to cut costs by maximising efficiency and reducing accidents, whilst also minimising environmental impacts.
Driving greater efficiency on the road
Councils operate on tight budgets, so it’s important to squeeze value out of every expense. Fleet management systems can help local governments proactively improve the value of fleet operations by reducing fuel costs with more efficient routes, or reallocating unused vehicles to new roles.
Fleet management systems can also help councils undergo preventative maintenance on their fleets, reducing vehicle downtime and the cost of repairs. The system can track service history and alert both fleet managers and operators when a vehicle is due for maintenance. It can also provide vehicle diagnostic data like the odometer mileage and engine miles to prevent any larger issues down the line.
Supporting sustainable fleets
Fleet management software can also help councils looking to reduce their emissions.
Many of the practices that councils can use to increase the cost-effectiveness of their fleet operations will also serve to reduce CO2 emissions, such as reducing idling times, and planning more fuel-efficient routes.
Management systems can also help councils determine the most effective parts of their fleet to transition to electric vehicles (EV).
By understanding a vehicle’s daily route, operation costs and inactive time, councils can evaluate where they could best utilise EVs. The fleet management system can even provide vehicle recommendations, based on the models available in a given region, performance requirements, as well as the projected cost savings and avoided CO2 emissions.
Fleet Complete is one of Australia’s leading fleet management solutions providers, with over 20 years of industry experience.
Fleet Complete is the leading Australian provider of the best-in-class GO9 fleet tracking device. This small device can track vehicle location, speed, trip distances and time, allowing councils to make informed fleet management decisions.
The device can even track engine data, by plugging directly into the vehicle’s standard diagnostic port. No antenna, wiring or special tools are required for a standard connection, which can provide managers with the internal data of each vehicle in a fleet.
The GO9 can not only report on speedometer and odometer information, it can also detect engine faults and even severe turning, accelerating, speeding and braking, thanks to a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope. The system can put together this forensic data to help drivers and managers determine how best to respond to collision or near-collision incidents.
For more information, visit fleetcomplete.com.au
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