Beating Driver Fatigue on Long Hauls
In November last year, we asked Lou Boyle, Teletrac Navman’s National Manager of Local Government, to answer a few questions about the key issues facing local governments and how technology is helping to solve them. This November, Lou is back and spared us some of his time to discuss the current state of technology in local government fleets and how telematics is used to improve services.
What is the current state of technology in local government fleets?
As we approach the end of 2022, life has largely returned to normal following COVID-19 restrictions. However, the pandemic created a permanent shift toward the digital and a greater reliance on data. Now, local governments are far more aware of the value of new technology – and that’s created a flood of opportunities for the public sector to make the most out of the information they get.
The maturing sector is moving beyond simply tracking vehicles and assets with GPS – long gone are the days of ‘dot on a map’ tracking. Innovation has led to enthusiasm about the benefits telematics can offer, from field safety and efficiency to financial sustainability.
We’re also seeing greater adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) as local governments respond to the community’s demand for environmentally friendly operations and reduced carbon footprints.
What are the benefits of telematics for local governments?
Government vehicles have used GPS for many years and are no strangers to telematics. However, helping organisations understand telematics and the data they provide is key to its uptake in 2022.
With the Internet of Things (IoT) and getting connected, telematics can collect real-time, second-by-second information and seamlessly integrate this data with fleet management platforms, giving organisations invaluable contextual asset knowledge.
Essentially, the data from vehicles and equipment helps managers understand exactly what’s happening in and around the asset, wherever it is. This improves driver safety, increases efficiency and productivity, and, most importantly – keeps costs down.
Can you expand on that? How do telematics help organisations keep costs down?
We know financial sustainability will always be local government’s number one issue. They operate within strict budgets, so ensuring assets are used efficiently is critical.
Telematics and fleet management solutions provide insights into vehicle idle time, asset maintenance, utilisation and fuel consumption to give an accurate picture of how assets are used. Organisations can use this data to streamline asset use, reduce fuel costs, and avoid costly equipment breakdowns.
To further leash costs, councils are using telematics to manage their Fuel Tax Credit (FTC) claims. With Teletrac Navman technology, the FTC process is completely automated while still adhering to Australian Tax Office (ATO) rules. Off-road travel and auxiliary fuel use are calculated using high-definition GPS location data and telematics installed in vehicles and equipment, allowing councils to record accurate FTC rebates. Telematics eliminates the guesswork, ensuring that rebate funds are funnelled back into council projects and services.
With financial sustainability in mind – how are local governments making the switch to EVs?
While financial sustainability comes first for councils, they also must consider the demands of the local community. People want to see action on climate change and expect the public sector to adopt more environmentally sustainable practices and lower its carbon footprint. Electric fleets and plant offer a perfect chance to create change, but ensuring Return on Investment (ROI) is key.
Teletrac Navman’s telematics-based EV readiness tool effectively removes barriers for councils and government organisations looking to make the switch. It collects data to analyse existing usage patterns, considering where the fleet is going or how the equipment is being used. It looks at the cost of a replacement and recommends what vehicles or equipment should be swapped out as a priority to maximise efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
The tool shows which vehicle swaps will give local governments ROI and ensures they can act in the community's best interests by improving sustainability.
Where are local governments headed in terms of fleet technology in 2023?
The adoption of telematics extends beyond local government into the public sector as a whole, where we’re seeing greater maturity in terms of technology acceptance.
As we move into 2023, I believe we’ll see telematics usage within the public sector continue to expand, helping organisations better manage projects and services under the public eye while operating within tight budgets.
The public sector is moving toward efficient, modern, sustainable, and safe services – and telematics data is key to achieving that.
The full article can be found here at GovTech Review.