Let’s face it, downtime in the trucking industry is unavoidable. However, maximizing uptime is a challenge that faces all fleet owners.
One advantage that fleet owners have in our modern world is technology. A lot of new trucking technology makes it easier to keep truck downtime at a minimum.
Now you might be wondering—how do fleet owners utilize modern technology to keep their fleets on the road? Continue reading below to find out all that and more.
The Future Is Data-Driven
Fleets are starting to reduce downtime by leveraging data. Nowadays, there are systems that use real-time data to keep track of everything from part maintenance to driver performance.
You may have noticed that truck cabs are being transformed with telematics, sensors, and new software. All this together means that different types of data can be collected and used by AI and machine learning software to reduce truck downtime.
Telematics Provides Crucial Data
Telematics combines GPS tracking technology, sensors, and diagnostics codes. Usually, this technology is packaged together with software and called fleet-management technology.
One of the ways that many fleets use this new technology to reduce downtime is by using routing software. If a truck is covering more miles than it should, that adds a lot of wear and tear.
However, routing software from telematics keeps unnecessary miles to a minimum and increases fleet efficiency. That can be crucial to fleets that are operating dozens of trucks.
It would be challenging to keep each truck routed efficiently without the technology.
Taking Preventative Maintenance to a New Level
One way that AI and software can help by using this data is through maintenance. Every fleet owner knows that preventative maintenance helps keep trucks up and running.
The problem is, maintenance is usually scheduled and then conducted based on miles or time. Of course, a maintenance issue can occur at any time in the real world.
Now, data and AI is being used to make predictive maintenance. By using oil sampling data, telematics, and real-time engine diagnostics—AI can make powerful predictions about what type of maintenance a truck needs.
That’s saving fleets downtime from unplanned maintenance and saving fuel costs since each truck is running at peak performance.
Mobile Services
Although not necessarily a new technology—mobile services are a tech-forward solution. Basically, fleets are using mobile services to repair, fuel, and maintain trucks on-site.
These mobile services are proving to reduce downtime by streamlining scheduling, communication, and logistics. After all, transporting a truck to a repair shop often takes days.
On average, it’s thought that a truck will sit in a repair shop for two days before being serviced. On top of that, fleets are using mobile fueling so that their trucks don’t spend idle time at the gas station.
Is Fleet Technology Worth It?
One thing we have to keep in mind is that these fleet tracking and maintenance technologies are often pricey. However, the return on investment can be well worth the dollars spent to install and use them.
At the end of the day, you’ll need to assess your fleet and see if these technologies will be suitable for your company.
