Fleet management is the crux of any logistics company. It is a skill that is powering much of America’s economy today, with more than 3.6 million truck drivers on the roads of the US. Combining a wide range of operational tasks that include compliance, safety, and logistics, fleet management needs the coordination of large data amounts.

Recent reports from Global Market Insights show that the fleet management market size will surpass $55 billion by 2026. The rise of autonomous vehicles and advanced location intelligence software has led to an increase in the demand for fleet management technologies. This guide goes through everything you need to know about fleet management to maximize your company’s profits.

What Is Fleet Management?

Fleet management is the operation of multiple vehicles in service of a business. A fleet can range from a few trucks in the case of a small business or hundreds of trucks for heavy-duty commercial transport. It takes excellent operational and logistical skills to coordinate a fleet regardless of size. In most cases, the undertaking is done by one or several fleet managers.

Fleet tracker such as RAM Tracking Canada oversee the everyday operations of moving goods and people from one point to another. They establish safety practices and routines, schedule or perform routine upkeep and maintenance, track vehicle locations, coordinate driver schedules, and ensure compliance with government regulations.

Fleet drivers, on the other hand, are responsible for operating the vehicles in your fleet. They possess a valid driver’s license, undergo thorough training to use vehicles in various scenarios and carry out basic vehicle maintenance like changing oils and tires.

Common Fleet Types

Fleets can range from large to small. Yet, they have similar requirements for maintaining the safety of vehicles to ensure they arrive on time to their destinations. Fleet managers could control commercial fleets’ delivery, trucking, and transport, based on the types of vehicles being driven and the cargo. Below are some of the common fleet types.

• Trucking fleets- These fleets are used for transporting high-volume loads. They mostly have trailer-drawing tractors and could consist of a few or dozens of trucks. Due to their massive sizes and driving patterns, these trucks must adhere to strict compliance and safety requirements.
• Delivery fleets- They transport deliveries for enterprises or parcel shipping businesses. In most cases, products delivered to a distribution center by trucking fleets will transfer to a delivery vehicle to arrive at their destination. Delivery fleets can be internal or external.
• Commercial fleets- They consist of various vehicle types, usually in large numbers. The fleets serve multiple purposes for a company, such as local delivery and cross-country shipping. These fleets typically need multiple people to manage and maintain their operations.
• Transport fleets- They encompass vehicles such as taxis, rental cars, or rented trucks. In some scenarios, customers will drive the vehicles instead of employees. Transport fleet managers must take extra caution to ensure the safety of vehicles that customers drive.

What Does a Fleet Manager Do?

Having someone manage your fleet promotes beneficial changes to your business and relieves you of several responsibilities. Fleet managers will improve operational costs while enhancing the overall revenue. Below are some of the duties of a fleet manager:

• Vehicle Acquisition

Your company might have a small fleet that you would like to grow. The only way will be by increasing the number of vehicles within the fleet. A fleet manager will assist you in making purchases while considering the vehicle type most suited for the fleet and the necessary quantity.

• Vehicle and Cargo Tracking

Fleet managers need to know the location of vehicles at all times. They should see ETAs for vehicle destinations when vehicles have departed, and when they have arrived. The information is vital because it allows the manager to adjust delivery schedules and coordinate drivers in real time for optimal fleet efficiency. It also provides feedback on the driver’s behavior, especially speed and fuel consumption.

• Vehicle Maintenance

It will be in a company’s best interest if the vehicles in a fleet are well maintained. It includes carrying out preventive maintenance and repairs when they are needed. Maintenance involves brake and tire checks, regular servicing, and oil changes.

• Record Keeping

Keeping accurate records about the fleet is an essential part of the administration. The records can be the mileage of each vehicle, maintenance history, damage sustained, and routes are taken. This data is required for insurance and tax purposes. It will help inform certain actions to be taken.

• Fleet Analysis and Optimization

The key to having an efficient fleet is route optimization. The ability to see the fuel usage of specific routes compared to others will allow the fleet manager to plan for the most suitable routes.

Wrapping Up

Fleet management is vital for any business that depends on vehicles to conduct operations. Effective strategies ensure that a company improves the efficiency and safety of its fleet while lowering costs. By taking a comprehensive approach to fleet management and staying abreast of the developments in the industry, companies can ensure that their vehicles are running at optimal performance and that their drivers are safe and productive.