Using a fleet management solution, waste disposal companies can reduce costs, streamline processes and operate at maximum efficiency.
Wyn Partington
Running a waste disposal company is no easy task. Efficient processes are a must in order to keep operations running smoothly. Technology solutions such as GPS fleet tracking are what many consider a crucial business tool for anyone operating a mobile workforce. Businesses can use this cloud-based solution to simplify day-to-day tasks, reduce costs and ensure processes are functioning at maximum efficiency.
Scheduling, Routing and Dispatching
Scheduling, routing and dispatching can be time consuming and lead to errors without the proper solution. Even just one scheduling error can cause a major loss in productivity. To ensure scheduling accuracy, dispatchers can use a GPS fleet tracking solution with an automated job scheduling board. This tool that allows dispatchers to quickly create, view and assign jobs to employees all from one screen. Dispatchers can view employee availability as well as the status of jobs in their queue. This helps to streamline the job scheduling process and improve accuracy, keeping operations running smoothly.
Once jobs are assigned using the job scheduling tool, they are automatically sent to the appropriate employees via an in-vehicle Garmin navigational device or mobile app. This allows employees to add new jobs to their routes quickly and provides voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions to help them get there safely. With the push of a button, drivers can update the status of jobs and send them directly to the office, keeping dispatchers informed of any changes. Although drivers may take the same routes daily, it’s important that they have an efficient routing plan, especially when new stops are added. Efficient routing allows drivers to get more jobs done in a day while reducing miles driven. GPS fleet tracking technology provides an automated routing tool that takes all locations and stops in a driver’s itinerary and orders them to create the shortest, most efficient routes. This helps to improve productivity and reduce fuel consumption.
Budget Planning
Budgeting for fuel can be difficult when prices are constantly fluctuating. With fuel being a top operating cost, waste disposal companies should consider solutions such as GPS fleet tracking to help save on expenses. Many organizations don’t realize vehicle idling is a problem until they begin using a GPS fleet tracking solution. Not only is excessive vehicle idling a major fuel waster, it contributes to the spread of harmful CO2 emissions throughout the environment.
With real-time alerts, fleet managers or business owners can receive instant notification if a vehicle is exceeding a user-defined idle limit. They can also view the amount of money lost during the time a vehicle is left idling. Being able to identify excessive vehicle idling allows fleet managers to address it head on and ultimately save on fuel while reducing pollution.
Monitoring Fuel and Maintenance
Along with identifying high idling drivers, waste disposal companies can use a GPS fleet tracking solution to monitor fuel and maintenance purchases. Fuel card integration allows business owners that use fuel cards to integrate the data into a fleet tracking solution. This provides a greater understanding of fleet fuel purchases and eliminates the need to keep track of and sort through paper receipts.
Automated reports provide a full summary of all fuel related purchases and fuel usage comparisons so waste disposal companies can improve fuel efficiency and eliminate abuses. Fuel efficiency reports help to identify vehicles that are burning more fuel than they should. With the fuel slip audit report, business owners can identify and mitigate fuel slippage and theft. The report points out any instance in which a vehicle was not in close proximity to a gas station when fuel was purchased or when more fuel was purchased than a vehicle’s tank can hold, helping to eliminate fraudulent purchases.
Understanding Driving Habits
When drivers are operating waste collection vehicles, it’s important that they are driving responsibly as to represent the organization in a positive light. Speeding and aggressive driving are not only dangerous behaviors, they can tarnish an organization’s reputation. GPS fleet tracking technology allows business owners to monitor driver behavior and determine if drivers are following the rules of the road and company guidelines.
If drivers are speeding or performing other aggressive driving behaviors such as harsh braking, rapid acceleration or sharp cornering, business owners will receive instant notification via e-mail. Speed alerts can be set up to send instant notification when drivers exceed the posted speed limit of a roadway or a speed limit defined by the organization. This allows business owners to hold drivers accountable and put a stop to unsafe driving habits before they lead to accidents.
In addition to immediate alerts, safety scorecard reports provide detailed information regarding a single vehicle or an entire fleet. The scorecard will show the top five performers and top five candidates in need of coaching; helping business owners to better understand the driving habits of their employees. Waste disposal companies can use reports to drill down for further information, helping to pinpoint specific areas that drivers are excelling in or areas that need additional improvement.
Customer Disputes
GPS fleet tracking technology can also help to resolve customer disputes. If customers call in to complain that recycling or waste was never collected, fleet managers can view a breadcrumb trail which shows a vehicle’s activity for a time period selected. This allows waste disposal companies to determine where drivers were during the time of scheduled pick up so they can resolve any issues. Fleet managers can ensure drivers are following the correct routes and staying on schedule, helping to increase productivity and improve customer satisfaction.
Experiencing Greater Benefits
Using a fleet management solution, waste disposal companies can reduce costs, streamline processes and operate at maximum efficiency. Companies that implement GPS fleet tracking technology typically experience a 10 to 20 percent reduction in fuel costs and savings of up to $35 per day, per vehicle. With technology continuing to advance and grow, businesses will be able to experience even greater benefits.
Wyn Partington is Vice President of Marketing at NexTraq. NexTraq’s applications—Fleet Dispatch, Fleet Metrics and NexTraq Connect—deliver real-time data needed to optimize fleet operations. For more information on the NexTraq Fleet Tracking solution, visit www.nextraq.com.