Is on-road GPS fleet tracking a missed construction opportunity?

The construction industry has experienced a surge in material costs in recent months, and with impending tariffs, project costs could be affected much more than anticipated. Unfortunately, some of the biggest cost drivers are things companies cannot control (like labor/material costs). Therefore, it’s important for fleets to control the expenses they can and maximize profits however possible. One – often overlooked – method is through using GPS fleet tracking for CMVs that transport equipment and/or materials on the road, or “on-road vehicles.” 

Analyzing driver behavior, fuel use and route plans

On-road vehicles are crucial to construction fleets, but they can also be costly, primarily through fuel overuse resulting from speeding, inefficient routing or undesirable driver conduct. A GPS fleet management solution allows construction managers to identify patterns in driver behavior, such as harsh braking or idling, which could lead to excess fuel use over time. Managers can then use the data to coach drivers on behaviors that contribute to fuel savings moving forward.
 
GPS fleet tracking also helps managers plan optimal routes, which saves both time and resources. By taking traffic and other road conditions into account, telematics allows managers to direct drivers to navigate from Point A to Point B in the most efficient way. 
 
Improving maintenance and project efficiency

Through fleet tracking technology construction managers have visibility into every vehicle’s location at any given time. Real-time data from telematics systems provides insight into where equipment being transported will be and when, so if, for example, a worker shows up to one site to use an excavator, they can trust it will be there and not waste time searching for it. They no longer have to rely on paper records that would lead them to incorrect locations, impacting both the project schedule and the worker’s time.

The data captured by a GPS fleet tracking system can also help monitor the movement of people through site reporting. This feature ensures people are at the right place at the right time, confirming the project will be completed according to schedule. With telematics for on-road vehicles, managers have real-time insight on whether a worker is on site when he or she should be. 

Also, tracking engine analytics through telematics helps maintain diagnostic reports and alerts managers when a vehicle is due for service, lowering the risk of unplanned downtime. The diagnostics report also provides insight into warning signs of potential equipment failure, allowing managers to plan proactive maintenance accordingly and avoid costly repairs and project delays. If there is an unexpected failure or potential for a breakdown, managers will receive real-time alerts and can notify the closest mechanic, allowing the issue to be taken care of immediately. The maintenance features in GPS tracking software also create detailed reports each vehicle’s status across an entire fleet and real-time alerts notify an operator if something isn’t functioning properly so he or she can address it right away, before it becomes a bigger issue.
 
To learn more about how you can leverage GPS fleet tracking software to increase construction efficiency, please visit: https://www.teletracnavman.com/our-solutions/fleet-management-software.