Verizon Connect: how tacho data can drive improvement
Fleet management solutions provider Verizon Connect has outlined a range of efficiency and safety gains fleets can achieve through the use of modern tachograph technology.
“Last year, we asked over 200 fleet managers in the UK and found that they lose an average of 14 hours per week – the equivalent of nearly two working days – downloading, sorting and correcting tachograph data,” said Derek Bryan, VP EMEA at Verizon Connect.
“Nonetheless, getting an accurate picture of what happens on the road is still an absolutely essential responsibility, given the same research found that one in five drivers regularly exceed the legal limit for hours driven without a break.”
He added: “While traditional tacho systems were known to be cumbersome and at times inconvenient, a modern ‘live’ digital system allows you to simplify compliance while staying productive.”
As digital tachographs can collect and stream data back to the central base of operations, says Derek, routing, scheduling and task assignments can be planned much more precisely, without driver disruption or vehicle downtime.
“Integrating your tachograph data with your fleet management systems also allows you to view your drivers and their tacho status in a live map…
“With this information readily to hand, you can encourage drivers to take breaks and assess who is nearing limits before assigning new jobs. For a more proactive approach, set up driving hours alerts and receive a direct warning whenever a driver is at risk of an hours violation.”
Integration of all fleet data such as location, speed, job arrival or departure time, fuel consumption, and idle time, along with tachograph information, provides further visibility.
“This data, analysed and presented by your fleet management system, can help you to spot trends and discrepancies in your fleet … In addition, driver ID functionality also makes it easy to determine who was driving when, allowing you to coach, incentivise and, if necessary, reprimand drivers based on individual performance and compliance requirements.”
“Most importantly, proactive alerts that inform fleet managers and drivers on upcoming and late breaks, making fleets not only more efficient, but safer too.”
Derek cites research from the European Road Safety Observatory showing that fatigue contributes to 10-20 per cent of road crashes globally.
He added: “A digital tachograph not only helps fleet managers to take proactive measures to prevent tiredness from becoming a hazard, but does so in a way that is low-touch, fast and immediately actionable.”
