A Q&A with Santa, and Fleet Manager Mrs Claus, of North Pole Inc
Recently in the news there have been many stories being reported of traffic accidents being caused by truck drivers using a personal navigation device. In these cases, the devices did not route them based on the size, weight or restrictions of the vehicle and have caused hefty fines used to repairs roads, tunnels and underpasses. These recent occurrences make it critical that drivers are equipped with the right technology to properly and safely complete their daily tasks. In addtion, arming your fleet with the very best in trucking navigation will improve productivity, reduce fuel costs, ensure DOT compliance, and keep your drivers happy.
Trucking Navigation Differences
A trucking navigation system is specially designed with all of the needs of a commercial driver in mind. Trucking navigation systems may include:
Access to more roads – Trucking navigation gives you access to as many as 700,000 miles of truck-restricted roads that are not available on regular navigation systems. Manufacturers are constantly updating the maps to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Ability to input personalized restrictions – Some trucks cannot travel on just any road due to their size, weight, or other characteristics, and trucking navigation makes it possible to enter this information for each vehicle. The driver can then rely on the routing to take into account commercial truck restrictions, such as bridge heights and clearances, load limits, one-way road designations, left-hand and dangerous turn restrictions, and allowances.
Multi-stop routing – Allows the driver to organize many different stops and preview the entire route at a highway level.
Dashboard display – A visual display of key performance metrics, including current speed, speed limit, odometer, time left until destination, total hours driven, elevation, average uphill and downhill speed, and percentage of the trip completed.
Geo-Fences – With geo-fencing technology, trucking companies can track fleet vehicles along user-generated boundaries that help monitor a driver’s adherence to safety standards and specific route parameters. By enabling geo-fences, fleets receive automated status updates which provide validated, time-stamped records of vehicle activity.
Landmarks – Landmarks allow dispatchers to create personalized points of reference such as a filling station, that help increase route productivity and efficiency.
Enhanced truck features – Enjoy extras such as timers, real-time traffic, the ability to track fuel use and record expenses, and loads of POI listings including truck stops, weigh stations, and repair shops.
Benefits of Trucking Navigation
Industry-leading GPS navigation and tracking systems, like Fleet Director® from Teletrac, can help your drivers be as safe and efficient as possible. Features include a 5" or 7" tablet color touchscreen with on-board GPS navigation, lane guidance, electronic driver logs for hours of service, driver vehicle inspection reports, and two-way messaging. With top-of-the-line telematics systems and GPS connection, your fleet manager and drivers will always be connected. Fleet Director® can also help you:
- Reduce fuel costs
- Save time wasted when drivers get lost
- Improve driver accountability
- Reduce or eliminate DOT violations