Trucking telematics makes an overall difference in fleet management. Telematics offers businesses that operate a fleet of vehicles insight into essential data on their vehicles and drivers. Fleet telematics technology transmits data from commercial trucks to track fuel performance, driving speeds, location, and other vital fleet tracking information. This information is sent to a central server using GPS technology for location tracking and onboard diagnostics, which is essential for fleet management. This article will explain the details of telematics, the benefits of fleet telematics, and how it impacts insurance.
What is Telematics?
Telematics consists of two science disciplines: telecommunications and informatics, and both have different functions that work seamlessly together. Telecommunications is the electronic transmission of information over a long distance, including voice, data, and video communication. And informatics is defined as information processing. In summary, trucking telematics increases performance and improves communications, reliability, efficiency, and customer service through remote data transfer to fully understand the fleet operation. The transmitted data may include location, speed, idling time, harsh acceleration or braking, fuel consumption, and other important elements to track. Commercial fleet data is also helpful for insurance purposes, including claims and determining coverage.
Benefits of Fleet Telematics
Fleet telematics matters in many ways by improving efficiency, productivity, payroll management, and safety. Telematics also reduces costs and fuel usage. Below we provided the many benefits of fleet telematics and how it helps with the flow of fleet management.
Telematics Improves Efficiency and Productivity
Telematics uses GPS tracking to monitor a vehicle’s location in real-time to improve customer service by using dispatching and routing tools. The data can be used to create safer and more efficient driver routes, reducing delivery times and fuel usage. Also, geofencing is used to track and compare driver performance against delivery schedules and minimize driver detention time.
Reduces Fuel and Operational Expenses
Fleet managers can monitor the truck’s location and when it will arrive. This will help plan better routes, which can help reduce fuel consumption.
This way, you will have a good idea of the location and whether the delivery will be made on time and relay the time of delivery to their customers. Also, the software can be used to track and reduce vehicle idling. By comparing the idle time of different drivers and vehicles, you have the data to determine who needs improvement in this area. Reducing idle time can reduce fuel costs, which is one of a fleet’s highest costs.
Automates Payroll Management
Fleet managers can automate employee records and payroll management to decrease errors and required clerical work. They will be able to know how far each driver worked and the period of time and better track fuel usage.
Improves Safety
Safety is one of the top priorities in the fleet business. Telematics can improve driver’s behavior and increase road safety by collecting data on your employees’ driving behaviors. With this information, they will be ranked by safety scores. This information will help with better road management and help improve their driving habits to keep them safe on the road to prevent accidents and other issues.
How Telematics Impacts Insurance
Fleet telematics matters for insurance because it can track harsh acceleration or braking and other driving habits. Overall, fleet telematics will give insight into the driving operation and performance. This information will help reduce insurance premiums, easier claim processing, and improve safety scores, maintenance, and operational efficiency.
Truck Duck Is Here For You!
We specialize in insurance for the transportation industry and are knowledgeable about trucking telematics and how to help you get the most bang for your buck. In addition, we provide expert insurance advice to ensure you and your business are fully covered. Learn more about trucking telematics and the details of commercial truck coverage.
