According to Derbyshire operations manager Peter McEvoy, the local authority aims to improve fleet performance and driver safety, as well as enhancing visibility into potential liability claims.
“Accurate, up to the minute data is key to any effective fleet management operation, but to me it is essential,” states McEvoy.
“We are the most visible operator in the area, which inevitably encourages complaints and allegations, the vast majority of which are just wrong,” he continues.
“This necessitates me to undertake thorough investigations, which used to take a long time.”
McEvoy says that, with the GreenRoad system, he is now able to conduct investigations quickily and effectively.
“[I can] search back and establish where my vehicles and drivers were, and what speed they were travelling at a given time and date,” he explains.
“This reporting facility was very appealing as, previously, any investigation was very laborious and impractical in terms of time.”
Additionally, he says that, while driver behaviour wasn’t one of his original system selection criteria, once he saw the potential, he was keen to adopt that too.
“If we can improve driver safety and save on fuel while at the same time obtaining comprehensive fleet management information, it will be a huge bonus,” comments McEvoy.
The GreenRoad system continuously monitors and analyses 150 vehicle movements, detecting events such as sudden acceleration, harsh braking and sharp cornering.
Drivers are alerted to risky behaviour in near-real time via a dashboard display, designed to engage them in taking charge of their own improvement.
Exception-based alerts also keep managers aware of emerging issues in real time, with a web-based dashboard allowing them to monitor the whereabouts and safety status of all vehicles.