Impact of Fleet Management system on Sustainable Transport

The main aim of Sustainable Transportation is to efficiently transport goods and services in bulk. It is related to systems, policies, and technologies that are involved in transportation. One such latest Technology used in transportation is Fleet Management. Fleet Management is a combination of powerful technologies like GPS (Global Positioning System), two-way wireless communications (via Low Earth Orbit Satellite Technology), an on-board processing, communications unit, and a hosted web application that demonstrates mapping and vehicle telematics data to the final user. This system is helpful for customers to locate vehicles and monitor speed and direction of vehicles especially for organizations, which involve more transportation operations like courier services etc.

Reduces environment pollution: Today it has became mandatory for all businesses to observe the carbon foot print it produces through its transport operations and prepare proper plan of action to reduce and control it. More fuel consumption leads to more environmental pollution. The vehicles used in fleet must be eco-friendly. They are also known as greener vehicles, which emit less carbon gases, save fuel, and create less pollution. Usage of electric vehicles contributes to zero emission of gases. Government encourages greener fleets by providing incentives. Driving behavior in fleet is green, that is, there is less fuel consumption and less carbon oxides emission. Firms need to follow and adhere to green driving policy. Tracking devices with built-in accelerometer will always monitor driving events and ensure that drivers fulfill the set safety standards.

Reduces social costs of transportation: As fuel is saved by the use of green vehicles in the fleet, the cost involved in purchasing fuel is also reduced. With the help of GPS tracking system, managers can track every vehicle in their fleet in real time with data on fuel consumption, route efficiency, vehicle diagnostics, and even driver's performance is available to them on a daily basis. Though complete fleet management system is not cheap, it is very effective for long-term savings. Many organizations experience reduction of fuel bills by 40% per annum even in the situation where prices of oil are hiking up. The concern of fleet managers for environmental issues like pollution can achieve both objectives of cost benefit by saving fuel bill and environmental friendliness. Replacement of petrol running vehicles with LPG fuel system is good idea, as it reduces cost of fuel and is eco-friendly.

Reduces economic costs: The economic cost is reduced with the help of FMS as the shortest and less congestion route to the destination can be traced with it. Therefore, it saves time in traffic and ensures fast delivery of goods. The organization can improve its efficiency by delivering more goods in less time.

Improves the vehicles' efficiency: With the help of Fleet Management System, the manager of an organization can prioritize the routes. Shortest route can be selected for the vehicle with GPS trackers. So, the delivery time to the customers is minimized and efficiency is increased. Many courier and delivery services used vehicle tracking systems for several years and are satisfied with these benefits. Good quality fleet management system provides the information regarding speed of a vehicle, which helps to limit the speed of a driver when he exceeds the limit, as more speed consumes more fuel. This helps to increase the mileage, prevent the wear and tear of vehicles at early stages, and increase vehicles efficiency. These systems are also helpful in knowing whether driver is using vehicle for personal use or business use and can review performance in order to improve efficiency. This system can easily track the stolen vehicles and cars by thieves and can be retrieved without replacing them with new vehicles.

Other benefits of FMS include, advanced customer service, increased productivity, enhanced driver safety, and resource protection. Establishing fleet tracking systems for freight transportation vehicles can effectively reduce unnecessary expenses and helps to properly manage the fleet more efficiently. FMS also helps to keep track of unexpected repairs, problems, and accurately determine the cost effectiveness.