Emerging Fleet Management Industry Trends You Should Keep an Eye On

Effective fleet management impacts dump truck owners, contractors, brokers, and material suppliers. There are a few common issues that all fleet owners must perfect including, keeping tabs on truck location, getting trucking volume right, managing compliance, and staying on top of all the paperwork. Managing fleets is a complex web that requires skill. However, recently emerging trends in fleet management are making it easier than ever to effectively manage all your dump trucks. Saving you time, money, and ensuring your dump trucks are being fully utilized. 

In this article, we’ll go over some of the emerging fleet management industry trends that are creating big positive impacts. Everything from advancements in GPS tracking, to E-ticketing, bulk communication tools, and advancements in analytics are changing the way fleets are managed across the USA. 

Flipping the Script on GPS Tracking

A recent Verizon survey found that GPS tracking for fleets has risen 8.5% year-over-year. That growth can likely be attributed to the fact that tracking vehicles with GPS can produce great financial results: early adopters report positive ROIs in under a year's time. However, not all GPS tracking is equal. There is a multitude of options available for fleet owners looking to capitalize on this emerging technology. 

Most early entrants to the GPS tracking trend have been required to purchase and install hardware in all their vehicles or juggle tracking devices between trucks, creating a nightmare for logistics teams. If you own a small fleet and don’t use hired haulers, this option could be great. Your start-up costs won’t be huge and once you install the equipment in each vehicle, you don’t have to think about it again. However, this is often not a scalable option for large fleets or companies that require the use of hired haulers. 

Companies that utilize more than a few trucks are better served by the latest GPS tracking trend that doesn’t require any installed equipment. Cloud-based transport logistics software with GPS tracking allows fleet owners to monitor driver locations and routes in real-time or historically. Companies like Trux are even taking this one step further, by eliminating the need to install hardware. Through the use of smartphones and mobile apps, the need to install a piece of equipment becomes obsolete. Hardware free GPS tracking is one emerging trend that is making it much easier to manage a larger fleet and keep track of hired haulers. This is one trend to keep your eyes on.

Ticketing is Going Digital

Traditional paper ticketing has been a major headache for decades. Tickets are frequently lost or misplaced, the process to submit paperwork is slow and oftentimes cumbersome, and historical ticket information is stored in hard-to-access garages or sheds. The process isn’t easy to manage and there is not one uniform set of information or metrics reported on all tickets - which can make it even more challenging to manage. All of these reasons have led emerging technology leaders to create solutions that alleviate the pain points of traditional ticketing models by going digital.

Contactless ticketing or e-ticketing is helping alleviate the pains of traditional paper ticketing and at the same time making for safer working conditions in the era of COVID-19. While only a handful of state DOTs have issued contactless ticketing requirements, it is a trend that is likely to continue to grow. If your fleet works on DOT jobs, we recommend looking for a contactless ticketing partner to help your business stay ahead of the curve. Companies like Trux offer contactless ticketing along with fleet management tools. This is one trend that is likely to keep gaining traction as DOTs require more from contractors, haulers, and suppliers in the future. 

Bulk Communication Tools Help Partners Align

Half the hassle of managing a fleet of trucks is all the last minute changes that come up. When rain causes a delay or cancellation there is a flurry of phone calls and text messages that need to go out to anyone scheduled to work that job. It’s time-consuming to get all the appropriate messages out and there are bound to be people that fall through the cracks and show up to the job anyway - which causes further issues. Wouldn’t it be great to click a button and know that everyone scheduled on the job knew of changes? It’s possible with new technology! 

Bulk communication is a trend we don’t see going anywhere fast. The ability to quickly message everyone on the job about changes saves time, money, and frustration for everyone involved. As a fleet owner, job cancellations can mean a loss of revenue for the day - wouldn’t it be nice to know ahead of time and have the opportunity to schedule your trucks for another job? Similarly, driving empty is one of the quickest ways to cost your business money. If a job site location changed and your driver wasn’t alerted, they could spend their whole morning driving empty looking for the correct location. With tools like Trux, they would have been notified of the new location and have a map with the start location clearly marked. Many contractors that manage their own trucks, alongside hired haulers find these tools especially helpful in managing schedules. Contractors and haulers that have begun utilizing bulk communication tools are less and less likely to revert back to phone calls and text messages, which is why we think this emerging trend has staying power.

Continuous Advancements in Analytics Drive Change in Fleet Management

Trux is leading the industry as one of the most progressive fleet management solutions available. With features including live GPS tracking, e-ticketing, and automated invoicing, it is dramatically simplifying the workday of contractors handling fleets small and large. It also arms fleet owners with the information they need to be able to manage their fleet more effectively. All documentation is stored digitally and easily accessible, owners can find work for their drivers and manage schedules, and keep track of all their trucks. 

For those fleet owners looking to get ahead of their competitors, finding a solution that aligns with emerging trends in technology and fleet management best practices will help set them apart. If you are interested in taking advantage of any of the trends outlined in this article, the best way to get started is to schedule a call with a local logistics expert ready to help you!