A fleet generates a lot of data. This information, however, is only valuable if it can be used effectively.
That means bringing it together, analysing it, figuring out what is significant and using those insights to make predictions. According to MicroStrategy research, 94 per cent of businesses say data and analytics are important to their growth and digital transformation, with more than half experiencing more effective decision-making, and better financial performance.
Thanks to the volume of data being collected from sensors, satellite tracking Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) and IoT devices, larger fleets may struggle to find the data that’s most relevant to them.
Luckily, AI and ML-enabled fleet management solutions instantly sort through big data to find those needles in the haystack.
Data such as road and traffic conditions, weather and environmental hazards can be combined with footage of a drivers’ journeys from multi-camera solutions and leveraged to predict incoming risks, allowing office employees to guide drivers through dangerous conditions as they unfold.
Staff can offer drivers turn-by-turn routes based on permits, customer and load requirements to ensure compliance.
Smart fleet management solutions also improve customer service by highlighting instances of unnecessary fuel use and monitoring past routes.
By optimising routes, operators are not just saving money on fuel, they’re able to stay compliant, provide speedy customer service, and in turn, complete more jobs.
An ML-enabled fleet management system is designed to learn from your habits over time – what data you view most, how long it takes to complete jobs on average, work and rest time for fatigue management, and more. Eventually, the system will automatically detect unusual changes to driver and vehicle behaviours based on past data, bringing things like speeding violations to the attention of management as they arise.
These smart systems feature advanced dashboards, offering a visual display of data collected that allows an operator to easily identify anomalies and drill deeper for insights. Search filters can be added to find out more about what is happening, why they’re occurring and view possible solutions.
To keep staff safe, it is imperative to have a well-maintained fleet. Of course staying on top of dozens or hundreds of vehicles can be difficult to manage. Even a small electrical fault can create a serious safety issue.
With an AI-powered system, engine management and vehicle performance data is integrated in real-time and sent straight to the monitoring dashboard, alerting key decision-makers of any potential issues. This will provide plenty of time to diagnose the problem and rectify the fault before it becomes a major headache according to Teletrac Navman.
The collected data creates a comprehensive view of the entire fleet for back office staff.
They can monitor the performance and condition of each vehicle, its performance and current condition without the need to physically inspect the asset.
The future of Australia’s transport industry is a data-driven one. Fleets that are able to turn big data into actionable insights will see increased productivity, reduced downtime and decreased admin costs, all the while keeping ahead of the competition.