According to CDL.com, modern truck drivers spend an average of 2-3 weeks on the road at a time, with just a few days back at home in between. With that much time spent out on the open highways, it's not surprising that many drivers now expect more from their in-cab experience, wanting a lot of the same comforts and amenities you might find at home.Meeting driver expectations in-cab
From in-cab connectivity to capable mobile devices, all are invaluable in making day-to-day life on the road more enjoyable. But it isn’t just about entertainment or physical comforts that contribute to overall driver happiness.
Access to resources is another fundamental piece of the puzzle. Resources include industry-leading hardware and software, such as GPS for semi trucks, to make drivers’ jobs easier and more efficient, in addition to things such as top-of-the-line training. Training is important for drivers to be able to advance their careers and opens doors for increased opportunities, including promotions.
With that in mind, any trucking company lacking in commitment to improve in-cab experiences, including semi truck upgrades to improve fleet performance and driver well-being, might struggle to hire and retain drivers, especially in today’s challenging economic climate and truck driver shortage.
Upgrading outdated trucking equipment
Although breaking out that old vintage Walkman might be cool from time to time, taking a seat in an outdated semi truck isn’t exactly as charming. Life on the road is demanding. The better equipped your drivers are, the better off they'll be. This includes best-in-class technology.
Once your enterprise is ready to upgrade, it’s time to make decisions. Fortunately, you can get a comprehensive set of powerful tools for improving fleet performance and efficiency through a best-in-class all-in-one fleet management solution. The right partner can also provide all the installation assistance needed to get your fleet up and running.
With a fleet management solution at your disposal, there are multiple ways you can upgrade your fleet’s in-cab experience for improved processes and fleet performance. Below we will outline just a handful.
5 tips for improving fleet performance
Fleet management software, coupled with powerful fleet dash cams, can help streamline operations for a safer and more productive fleet. Even better, this tech provides for a rich and immersive set of features, such as GPS for semi trucks, that can be harnessed to optimize life on the road for the better. Here are our top five ways:
1. Optimizing routes
With GPS fleet tracking, routes can be optimized based on road conditions, accidents, weather, traffic, and other delays, ensuring on-time deliveries and reducing frustration. After all, there is nothing worse than being stuck in unnecessary traffic.
The best part is that better routes mean faster deliveries, increased productivity, and more money in enterprise and driver pockets. GPS for semi trucks sets a new standard for fleet efficiency.
2. Emphasizing driver safety
With such a huge proportion of time spent on the road, keeping drivers safe behind the wheel is of critical importance. Fleet dash cams used as part of a fleet safety program can help keep drivers protected while providing key exonerating footage should an incident occur out of their control.
Video can help protect a fleet from wrongful claims, provide the truth to what happened, and even help prevent incidents altogether by guiding drivers to course-correct unsafe driving practices.
3. Improving driver skills
A fleet safety solution is also a great way to hone in on and improve driving skills. A lot of people might not understand unsafe habits until they see themselves on video. A driver app connected to a fleet dash cam can help drivers review driving footage and correct any risky driving behavior.
Video provides the opportunity for drivers to not only self-correct but receive constructive feedback from fleet managers through streamlined coaching workflows. Improved skills mean more opportunities for promotion, incentives, and an improved career trajectory. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
4. Maintaining vehicle health
Staying ahead of maintenance and repairs gleaned through diagnostic trouble codes goes a long way to prolong vehicle health and reduce unexpected downtime. No one likes to be stuck on the side of the road because of issues that could have been avoided with preventative maintenance.
With a preventative maintenance program, fleet managers can keep on top of routine maintenance for healthier, more reliable vehicles. Check out our preventative maintenance checklist for ideas on where to start.
5. Fuel management and savings
Preventative maintenance can also help improve fuel performance, saving money in the long haul. In today’s economy, with fuel prices at an all-time high, this has never been quite so paramount. The average trucker is spending upwards of $1,000 every time they fill up at the pump, so any tips and tricks to manage increasing fuel costs can make all the difference.
Contact us or book a demo to learn more about improving fleet performance through an all-in-one fleet management solution.