Airfreight specialist Cranleigh Freight Services (CFS) says it is seeing fuel savings and improved management controls since stepping up use of its Daimler FleetBoard telematics.
Tim Munro, transport manager at CFS, says that key to this success has been the firm's ability to measure driver performance against a range of criteria – such as over revving, harsh braking, idling, speeding and green-band driving – which has highlighted areas for improvement.
"It's difficult to make precise comparisons because loads and routes are changing all the time," comments Munro. "But we have drivers who were previously averaging 7mpg and are now consistently returning 8—10mpg.
"FleetBoard has played a crucial part in helping us to achieve these improvements. It revealed, for example, that some old school drivers were not turning on their cruise controls or using their engine brakes properly.
"We've now been able to address these shortcomings, and our fuel efficiency has increased as a result."
Interestingly, most of the firm's vehicles are DAFs, instead of the usual Mercedes-Benz Daimler FleetBoard affiliation. Indeed, the Surrey-based operator is now preparing to remove some of its earliest FleetBoard hardware from seven DAF tractor units and reinstall them in seven replacement units.
Munro explains that CFS gained its first experience of FleetBoard three years ago, when it took delivery of five Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor units with factory-fitted telematics.
"Our main interest initially was in vehicle tracking," he recalls. "But we were ecstatic when we realised how much more Daimler FleetBoard offered, and set about fitting its systems to more of our trucks."
Today, all but four of CFS' 52 tractor units are equipped with telematics and the number continues to grow.
As for the more conventional transport planning aspects, Becky Young, sales and marketing manager, CFS confirms that the system provides constant visibility of the fleet.
"Daimler FleetBoard allows us to plan journeys and re-route vehicles at short notice in the event of an accident on the road ahead or a ferry cancellation, for example,2 she explains.
"And if, for any reason, a driver's not where he should be, the system will highlight this too, so we can get him back on course immediately," she continues.
And she adds: "[Our customers] appreciate the security and peace of mind it offers. A couple of our biggest customers have direct access to the system, so they can see precisely where their loads are at any time."