How does a vehicle tracking system work to reduce mileage? As fuel costs continue to rise, business owners are looking for better ways to gain the upper hand.
One of the ways to reduce overheads is to make effective use of time on the road. We can do this with GPS vehicle tracking technology. This can be one of the most cost-effective means of reducing costs. Competition in service delivery and distribution makes it urgent for every company. The need for an effective live vehicle tracking system that can control costs is urgent.
The use of live trackers and GPS is a crucial factor. This is because it affects the way managers look at vehicle fuel consumption. This is an issue that companies have to deal with as buying fuel for vehicles is an essential part of their business. A smart move is to take advantage of this. The question is how a live tracker GPS can improve the fuel consumption of a fleet of vehicles. The easiest way to reduce your fuel costs is to ensure that a detailed record of your fleet's mileage is available. This proves essential because you can now make informed decisions. This includes maintenance schedules, better routes, time spent and much more.
There are still many companies that use outdated paper mileage logs. If you are serious about reducing your fuel costs, it is time to invest in a telematics tracker. This will allow you to track your car's mileage, among other things. Car tracking software can help you reduce your annual mileage. It helps you make effective decisions without giving you extra work. This becomes one of your business benefits. I will list how vehicle trackers can help you reduce the mileage of your vehicle:
- Reduce the engine's idle time
- Choose the best possible route
- Keep accurate records
- Proactive vehicle maintenance
Reduce the engine's idle time
Idling an engine means running the engine without doing useful work. Moving forward, backward, or halting the vehicle is useful to work in this case. With this in mind, one begins to wonder how much fuel can be saved from idling. The most competent answer is all. The reduction of unnecessary time spent on idling saves a lot on the vehicle. It helps the fleet operators save on fuel costs and extend the life of their vehicles. This happens by reducing wear and tear on the vehicle. An added benefit is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. We realise that drivers prefer to keep their cabins comfortable during the day. Drivers want their vehicles to be warm in the winter and cool in the summer months. This is when they leave the engine running when they make their deliveries or stops. For a day, the engine will idle for hours, burning fuel. One extra hour a day of idling is equal to 64,000 miles of engine wear. This ages the vehicle, which further impacts its fuel economy and efficiency. Fleet owners can watch and receive reports. with a GPS vehicle tracking system. Customised alerts can notify dispatch about a driver's habits. Habits such as engine on or off times and when the vehicle is moving. This provides accurate idle times.
Companies are becoming more aware of the harmful effects of unnecessary vehicle idling. Voluntary, employee-driven efforts to reduce engine idling have helped reduce fuel consumption costs. Small fleets of 25 vehicles can save about 600 gallons of fuel a year by reducing their idling time by 15 minutes a day. They are now doing their part to reduce their engine idle time. There are mandatory idle-reduction measures put in place. These are to address the issue due to the health hazards related to greenhouse gases. For example, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has recommended a state law to address fleet vehicle engine idle time. Observing these types of measures makes it easy for fleet operators. Businesses now have a reliable means to check, measure, and correct drivers.
Choose the best possible route
Delivery and transport fleets make many stops every day. They can save time and reduce fuel consumption by having their drivers follow a route. If the number of stops is not planned according to the schedule, this poses a problem. It becomes even more important to determine the order of stops and the most efficient route. With the help of the GPS vehicle tracking system, the driver learns the last stop for each vehicle. This is where optimisation comes into play. Based on the information gathered, the sequence of movements is precisely determined. Routing and work scheduling help companies save fuel and plan their work. However, there is a difference between planning routes and optimising routes. Optimising a route helps drivers navigate the roadway and avoid traffic problems. This reduces idling time and other delays and saves valuable fuel. Fleet dispatchers can communicate with drivers and prescribe the best sequence for many stops. This is true even if driving conditions or work tasks change throughout the day.
A recent Motorola study found that 48% of drivers change their routes daily. When drivers are well informed, they can make the best route changes. GPS-driven vehicle management software solutions can increase productivity by 25% or more. The GPS tracking software can track and contact many drivers. This is better than contacting different drivers by phone or radio to find vehicles near a specific location. A Motorola survey found that employing GPS fleet tracking technology reduces the number of kilometres travelled per vehicle each week. This reduces engine wear and consumption. The longer the vehicle's life, the fewer litres of gasoline it consumes. As a result, delivery fleets put more resources into customer service than fleet vehicles.
Keep accurate records
Keeping accurate records has never been more important. The benefits extend to a variety of areas. With good and accurate records, the administration can work out patterns. This allows you to develop ways to gain an advantage over the competition. We know that fuel is one of the most important operating expenses for vehicles. Keeping records of fuel purchases is an effective way to manage fuel costs. This can help you avoid unplanned trips and low fuel stocks. Many fleet operators have introduced fuel programmes to help them control fuel costs. Fuel suppliers can offer discounted prices to their customers to build brand loyalty. Once these measures are in place, the work of effective fuel management just begins. To maximise the impact of the fuel management programme, companies can install a GPS fleet tracking solution. This will capture data on sales and mileage. Fuel purchase rates and prices are monitored to find savings opportunities. GPS vehicle tracking applications can provide owners with important information. This includes the location of the following:
- preferred fuel suppliers
- individual vehicle mileage by state
- daily route summaries show each stop during the day and more
Filling up at the right time and place can save up to 5% and 4%, respectively, which in turn translates into higher mileage. Tracking and monitoring fleet costs make it easier for you to manage your business. Unauthorised use of vehicles by drivers costs thousands of dollars every year. Fuel consumed by unauthorised secondary activities must be identified and eliminated. GPS fleet tracking systems send alerts to notify fleet operators when a vehicle is started or used outside of approved schedules. This results in additional fuel costs and engine wear. When this is detected, action is taken, which in turn increases productivity. GPS fleet tracking solutions capture a variety of data that can be used as powerful tools to reduce fuel consumption and costs.
Proactive vehicle maintenance
It is a well-known fact that vehicle maintenance cannot be avoided. We know from experience that the trick is to avoid unnecessary and avoidable time in the workshop. We see that well-maintained engines are more efficient than neglected engines. This can save fleet operators money and fuel. The higher mileage of your vehicles could be a flaw. The flaw is that your vehicles are probably not driving the most optimal routes. Vehicle management software provides vehicle summary reports, maintenance logs, and appointment notifications. This ensures that every vehicle in your fleet is operating as efficiently as possible. Vehicles achieve their best fuel economy when they are operating under optimal conditions. Routine maintenance services include steps such as properly inflating tyres, changing oil, philtres, and spark plugs. These steps are critical to improving your fleet's fuel economy. These small savings add up quickly for fleets of 25 or more vehicles. GPS can let you know when a vehicle is due for maintenance. They also provide helpful logs of past maintenance. Well-maintained vehicles stay in service longer, operate efficiently and emit fewer greenhouse gases. This shows the importance of implementing end-to-end GPS vehicle tracking technology. Why you may ask? Companies want their vehicles to stay on the road, not in the garage.
FAQ’s
What are the advantages of using the car tracking software in terms of the number of kilometres driven?
Whether you want to save money or have a greener fleet, reducing fuel consumption is a win-win. You can achieve this with mileage tracking software. By using a fleet tracking system, you not only save on fuel costs but also reduce your CO2 emissions. Other benefits include optimising routes and reducing downtime.
How does vehicle management software help reduce mileage and save fuel?
This software contains many functions, including the documentation of routes for one or all vehicles. Another important feature is live vehicle tracking with the map function. This allows you to assign the closest vehicle to the site of operation. This way, you do not have to change the vehicle's route to complete the job. This is very useful in a variety of situations, like medical emergencies or security threats. It's like killing two birds with one stone.
How do you start the GPS installation process?
Installation is an important component of a successful deployment, especially for large fleets. This is a step that is often glossed over during the sales process. A good partner will discuss the GPS install plan in detail and show you.
Will drivers quit when we put GPS tracking in place?
If you have a driver that quits, you just saved a lot of money. It seldom happens, but anyone that is afraid of being tracked is hiding something. If they quit, they can drag your competitor who isn’t using GPS tracking down. Think of how much will be wasted in that company. Your data will help in growing the company. All drivers are nervous at first, but good leadership overcomes this fear. In the long run, it builds a stronger bond and discipline among company employees.
What is the difference between live and passive GPS tracking systems?
The data collected is generally the same for both types of systems. Live vehicle tracking transmits the GPS data collected to cellular networks. This is then routed to a website where you can view the data. It’s considered "live tracking" because it is visible shortly after being logged. On the other hand, we have passive GPS trackers. These trackers store the GPS information on the tracker until the truck returns to a central location or office. When the truck is within range of a wireless base station, usually under 500 yards, the GPS tracker will transfer the GPS tracking data. The GPS data is then put into a database that is connected to fleet management software where you can view it online. Passive technology is no longer available.
What system is most widely used for vehicle tracking?
GPS (Global Positioning System) is the most widely used technology for vehicle tracking. The aim of a tracking system is to manage and control transport using a GPS transceiver. This gives information about the current location of the vehicle.
