As oil and gas resources play a vital role in the critical day-to-day functions of any locale, securing their transport has always been critical. However, the fleets that transport these economy-driving resources are often at risk of the dangers that accompany the movement of highly flammable solvents and fuels. In addition, the transport vehicles themselves often cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and can take months to replace should they break down or be stolen.
With that in mind, oil and gas fleet managers are turning to advanced fleet technology, such as video safety, GPS fleet tracking, and more to help them better manage, protect, and maintain their fleets. These kinds of tools not only help oil and gas fleets manage the dangers of the road and costly thefts, they also help them monitor the actions of drivers to ensure they are engaging in safe driving practices.
Benefits of video safety and fleet tracking for oil and gas fleets
Driver safety
With the transport of hazardous materials, minimizing risk is absolutely paramount in order to protect both drivers and others on the road. Fortunately, comprehensive video safety solutions make it easier to mitigate some of the risk. With a video safety program, fleet managers can monitor the behaviors of their drivers– including unsafe, drowsy, or distracted driving– and help correct their actions in real-time.
In-cab alerts† notify drivers of risky driving behaviors like distracted driving, rolling stops, and speeding so they can self-correct before an incident occurs. The software can also detect if a driver is smoking, which is forbidden in most oil and gas companies due to fire hazards.
In the event that a driver continues to engage in repetitive risky behaviors, managers can utilize streamlined coaching workflows to motivate and encourage safer driving habits. Lastly, should a collision or near collision happen, they can access video to see exactly what happened to try to prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future.
Reduced claims
Not only does increased driver safety help reduce the number of accidents, but associated claims and legal expenses. Given the highly flammable and potentially toxic nature of hazardous materials, any roadway incident comes with exponentially more risk and liability.
Just one catastrophic or fatal incident can destroy the bottom line of any fleet, no matter the size, and significantly increase insurance premiums. Given the high cost of fuel and other economic challenges facing today’s fleets, incident prevention is absolutely vital to reduce costs and remain profitable.
Vehicle health and theft prevention
When any fleet vehicle leaves the lot on its daily route, it's always important to keep track of it. However, given the safety risk and high dollar value of both the vehicles and materials being transported, preventing oil and gas vehicle theft and breakdown makes fleet tracking increasingly necessary.
WIth GPS fleet tracking, oil and gas fleet managers can keep an eye on the health and location of their vehicles on the road at all times. Access to engine control module (ECM) data can provide insights into vehicle condition, while preventative maintenance features can help ensure vehicles are always road ready and operating at peak performance.
When it comes to theft prevention, managers can also use fleet tracking software to configure geo-fences and receive notifications should a vehicle leave a pre-designated area without permission.
Increased productivity
In addition to safety and security, fleet tracking software can help oil and gas fleets optimize operations. With location tracking, managers can optimize vehicle routes based on changing weather, traffic conditions, road construction, and more. This not only helps mitigate risks by reducing exposure to external threats of the road, but helps increase on-time deliveries by reducing drive time to destination.
By reducing total travel time, fleets can reduce fuel consumption, vehicle engine hours, and many other benefits all while increasing productivity and efficiency. It’s a win-win for everyone involved. The faster hazardous materials make it to their destination the better.
Get best-in-class fleet safety and tracking for your oil and gas fleet
The importance of video safety and video telematics in the oil and gas industry cannot be understated. When hauling some of the most dangerous cargo on the road, the need for accurate tracking, guarding against theft, driver safety and security, and overall fleet education has never been more critical.
At Lytx®, we offer a comprehensive set of fleet management solutions designed to help fleets make smarter and safer decisions on and off the road. From video safety and fleet tracking, to driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) and electronic logging devices (ELDs), we can create a customized solution to meet your unique oil and gas fleet needs.
To learn more about our oil and gas fleet management software, book a demo or get a quote today.
Or, see how an oil and gas company called Southern Maryland Oil reduced identified collisions by 59% with Lytx video safety.