Ever since the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandated that all trucking companies add electronic logging devices (ELD) to their fleets, it’s not uncommon to find high-tech pieces of tracking equipment in the cabin of a semi-truck. However, many companies hoped to cut costs by settling for the most basic tech to fulfill the new regulation. These types of systems often just track drivers’ hours and report driving logs. But by going for a limited option, these companies have overlooked some of the major advantages of a more complete tracking system.
GPS monitoring is about more than just following shipments and complying with government regulations. GPS monitoring should be seen as an investment meant to elevate trucking businesses. Upgrading to a full package will not only keep you in compliance but also cut costs, improve driver safety, improve job security, and make record-keeping far more effortless.
In this article, we will look at just a handful of the ways that adding a full-package position monitoring system to your fleet of trucks can benefit the overall business. With this information, we hope that you’ll feel more inclined to make the most of the new mandate. If you’re ready, let’s begin.
Safety
While the FMCSA mandate doesn’t expressly state that trucking companies have to track their fleet’s exact location, any ELD will include some sort of tracker. Therefore, we must understand why the FMCSA implemented this new regulation. To keep it short, the mandate was intended to keep motorists and the public safe. Logging hours can ensure that motorists aren’t on the road for too long, but GPS tracking goes beyond that.
Today’s monitoring systems can log bad employee driving habits such as sharp turns, harsh braking, or speeding. Keeping detailed logs on how motorists perform will help to hold them accountable. If they continue to make similar mistakes, managers can then address the issue with data to back them up. Drivers will be compelled to drive more carefully and uphold their responsibilities to the company.
Efficiency
Of course, not every driver is looking to drive like a madman. The overwhelming majority of employees stick to the rules and do as they are told. Still, it’s nice to know that your fleet is where it is supposed to be. With GPS monitoring, you’ll be able to keep motorists on their routes and guarantee that shipments arrive on schedule.
Now, it’s not so much a question of tracking which or where motorists are making pitstops. After all, everyone is entitled to pick up some lunch on the long haul. But if motorists are going too far out their way to pick up a hamburger or are adding hours to the journey for a break, these costs slowly add up for the business. In shipping, time is money, especially when you have to pay for the fuel. Keeping motorists to their intended routes and managing their speeds will help reduce excess fuel expenditure, keeping profits in the company’s coffers.
Help Out the Driver
If a driver does seem to be veering too far off their intended route, it may not be because they just want a specialty burger. Drivers are only human and it’s easy to get lost in an unfamiliar area. As the trucking industry continues to lose veteran motorists, younger, less experienced workers are looking to fill the void. Unfortunately, younger drivers lack the same experience and may need help getting to their destinations.
Luckily, tracking helps managers keep their fleet on course and, if a driver does begin to stray from their route, managers can send out an alert to correct them. This feature is also useful for predicting traffic jams and roadwork. Unplanned interruptions can throw the entire fleet off schedule, so having access to a global network of monitoring information can help businesses better estimate their expected dates of delivery.
Better Record Keeping
And, last but certainly not least, having access to a constant stream of monitoring data helps keep business records in order. FMCSA regulations mandate that motorists electronically log their hours but, without monitoring, it’s hard to honestly judge if truckers stopped driving when they logged out.
GPS tracking systems should provide real-time monitoring as well as historic logs of every trip. This way, you can track not only hours that have been driven, but also the distance that employees covered and the date and time they did so. You’ll not only increase drivers’ efficiency but also cut down on any overtime or fines for breaking regulations.
How Does GPS Tracking Help with Route Planning and Optimization?
With GPS tracking for trucking companies, we offer a solution that allows drivers and dispatchers to optimize routes in real-time, improving delivery times and reducing fuel costs. Using our GPS tracking systems, drivers can navigate with confidence, knowing that they’re on the most efficient route possible. Our system analyzes traffic patterns, road conditions, and weather forecasts to provide the best possible route based on real-time data. This is especially useful for long-haul truckers who deal with variable conditions on extended routes. By keeping our drivers informed, we help you minimize delays, increase punctuality, and ultimately build customer satisfaction.
In addition to making it easy for drivers to find the quickest and safest routes, our GPS tracking systems assist dispatchers in managing multiple trucks across various locations. Dispatchers have a full view of all trucks in operation and can make adjustments on the fly, rerouting trucks around road closures, traffic jams, or unexpected delays. This kind of route optimization saves valuable time and fuel, maximizing operational efficiency and boosting profitability.
Is GPS Tracking for Trucking Companies Worth the Investment?
We understand that every investment needs to deliver value, and GPS tracking for trucking companies is no exception. Our GPS tracking systems do more than just tell you where a truck is; they provide actionable insights that can reduce costs, improve driver performance, and enhance customer satisfaction. With fuel prices rising, efficient routing becomes essential, and our GPS technology is designed to save you on both fuel and maintenance costs by optimizing driving habits and minimizing idle time.
Beyond cost savings, the data generated by GPS tracking systems helps you analyze driver behavior and fleet performance. With this data, you can identify areas where drivers might improve, such as reducing harsh braking or excessive idling, which can lead to excessive wear on vehicles. Over time, these small improvements can lead to significant savings in vehicle maintenance and repair. For trucking companies looking to gain an edge, the insights from GPS tracking systems make a measurable difference in their bottom line.
We believe that our GPS tracking systems pay for themselves by improving efficiency, reducing overhead, and helping trucking companies provide reliable, timely service. From our experience, clients who’ve integrated GPS tracking have seen reductions in costs and improvements in service quality that justify the initial investment many times over.
Can GPS Tracking Systems Help Prevent Cargo Theft?
One of the biggest concerns for any trucking company is cargo theft. With GPS tracking for trucking companies, we give you the power to monitor your vehicles and cargo continuously, reducing the risk of theft and improving recovery rates if a theft does occur. Our tracking systems offer geofencing capabilities, which allow you to set virtual boundaries for each vehicle. If a truck crosses these boundaries unexpectedly, our system will instantly notify your team so that appropriate action can be taken.
In addition, our GPS tracking technology offers location alerts and access to real-time data on vehicle movements, so you know exactly where your cargo is at all times. This is crucial for trucking companies hauling valuable or sensitive goods, as even a minor delay can have significant consequences. By keeping you informed about the exact status of every truck and trailer, we provide an added layer of security that prevents unauthorized stops or detours, discouraging theft.
Should a vehicle or its cargo be stolen, GPS tracking systems increase the chances of recovery. With our systems, you can pinpoint a stolen truck’s location in real time, giving law enforcement the information they need to recover it quickly. For any trucking company, this added security feature is invaluable and provides peace of mind, knowing that valuable cargo is being tracked every step of the way.
How Easy Is It to Integrate GPS Tracking with Existing Trucking Operations?
Integrating GPS tracking into your current operations is straightforward and highly beneficial. We’ve designed our system to work seamlessly with existing trucking management software and workflows. Whether you’re a large fleet operation or a smaller trucking business, our GPS tracking technology scales to your needs, making the transition smooth and minimally disruptive.
Our team provides full support during installation and setup, helping ensure that your drivers and dispatchers understand how to get the most out of the GPS tracking system. The intuitive interface means that little to no training is needed, so drivers can easily access information about routes, mileage, and driving habits. Dispatchers can use the platform to track vehicle locations, manage routes, and make real-time adjustments with a few clicks.
In addition to being user-friendly, our system is compatible with a wide range of devices, so your team can access tracking data from desktops, tablets, or smartphones. This flexibility means that drivers, dispatchers, and management can stay connected from virtually anywhere, optimizing coordination and communication across the board. We’re here to support you at every stage of integration, ensuring that GPS tracking quickly becomes a valuable tool in your trucking operations without unnecessary downtime.
Choosing the Right GPS Tracking System
With these benefits in mind, we hope that you’ll agree that upgrading to a full system can do more than just keep in line with government regulations. Don’t just settle on any system, though. The best systems should include the following features:
- Mobility — Look for a service that allows managers to stay in constant contact with their team. Without the option for a mobile app, managers will not be able to send out alerts or messages to help keep drivers on track.
- Simplicity — A monitoring system should be intuitive. An overly complicated platform will take too long to implement effectively and cause more frustration than is needed.
- Detailed Records — To keep accurate better records, you need a system that can record distance traveled, speed, time spent idle, and real-time location. This data should also be compiled into a digital record.
- Cloud Capabilities — For the sake of security, look for a system that will store your data in an encrypted digital cloud.
- Geofencing — If you are worried about drivers veering off their routes, you can add geofencing alerts to warn managers whenever a driver goes too far off their intended course.
Secure Your Fleet
If you’re using monitoring equipment just to meet the recent FMCSA regulation, you are not getting the most out of your investment. Upgrading to a full GPS monitoring system can help boost efficiency and keep your drivers safer on the road. Don’t waste money on the most basic tech. Upgrade today and make the most of your business’s future.