Big Data is being used everywhere and this time, it has forayed into the trucking industry. In the last 18 years, the latest technologies powered by big data have shifted fleet management to another level, and this is the industry that greatly impacts the infrastructure of our country. This industry is not familiar as others, yet the arrival of big data has entirely changed the trucking industry.
Major changes powered by Big Data
A lot of latest releases such as software solutions, products, and services have been witnessed in the current year which all are aimed at enhancing the following features of fleet management:
- Safety
- Fuel efficiency
- Driver logbooks
The similarity between these three is that they all are powered by none other than Big Data. Let’s delve deeper to find out what other changes are brought out by big data in fleet management.
- Efficient Routing
Sufficient, accurate data is mandatory to have a hassle-free delivery experience in fleet management. In the absence of such data, it is nearly impossible to know the reason for a particular delivery being delayed, specific routes being a constant hindrance, or even an unanticipated obstacle popping up and blocking the movement of the fleet vehicle.
With big data, all this information can be gathered, resulting in enhanced customer service, and fuel efficiency, reducing vehicle depreciation, and even saving the organization’s time.
- Fleet preservation/maintenance
A lot of costs can be saved by maintaining the fleets properly and efficiently. With big data, vehicle issues can be addressed well in advance before they turn into a major issue, thereby maintaining them in good condition, and also providing a good amount of cost savings to the organization.
- Introduction of ELD
The old traditional method required drivers to use a logbook, where they record their driving hours. This was a very tedious process. Enter big data, and exits the logbooks. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) were introduced in fleet vehicles as part of the new technology, which replaced the logbooks of rivers. ELDs were used to keep track of the driver’s duty status data.
These data can be accessed and helps the organization make better-informed decisions regarding the rest period for drivers. They can track the hours the driver has gone on a trip and provide him the well-deserved rest.
- Driver Behavior
The top priority in fleet management is safety. The behavior of the driver with the vehicle both on-road and off-road should be monitored mandatorily to ensure safety. Big data comes to the rescue again. With the use of big data and telematics, driver behaviors can be accurately gathered by identifying the speed, the way the driver brakes, and other risky tactics.
This data can be examined to check whether the driver meets the expectations or is lagging behind and is due for training.
Conclusion
The introduction of big data in fleet management has proved to be effective in various ways. They have saved a lot of costs to the industry and also helped them work in an effective manner. This does not stop here as more and more new applications, software solutions, and technologies are under development, and it’s worth a wait to watch how things unravel in the future.
