Challenge:
ERH Refrigerated Transport is a transport provider based out of Melbourne, delivering refrigerated goods to the FMCG industry, mainly along the Eastern seaboard. ERH actively embraces new technology and equipment as part of its stated goal of continual improvement. In modernising its fleet to meet emerging business challenges, ERH wanted to ensure that drivers and vehicles were adhering to legislative requirements throughout the delivery supply chain, manage an increased administrative burden on the business, and discover new ways to streamline processes.
To control increasingly complicated reporting processes and paperwork and improve driver efficiency, safety, and fatigue management, ERH approached Teletrac Navman to add more capabilities to its existing GPS tracking solution. The business was on a digital transformation journey and wanted to automate and digitise existing processes for more efficient outcomes.
Teletrac Navman solutions are helping us to improve our processes, increase efficiency, and cut down on the time that we spend on admin. Not to mention keeping our drivers safe and helping them manage fatigue out on the road.
Solution:
ERH adopted Teletrac Navman’s in-cabin driver technologies and Electronic Work Diaries (EWD) to help employees get on with the job with ease and empower them to stay compliant. When drivers begin their day, they simply log on to the device and tap to start work or log rest to keep track of their fatigue hours. The device alerts them when it is time to take a break based on rulesets and regulatory requirements. This assists them in accurately managing fatigue instead of counting hours, ensuring compliance and making sure they are always up to date with their mandatory paperwork diary.
Two-way communication enabled by the in-cabin technology ensures driver health and safety is constantly monitored and empowers drivers to stay in contact with the back-office staff at ERH. The availability of communication gives the business peace of mind, ensuring that staff can get in touch with drivers who are never far from help if there is a breakdown or other mechanical failure.
In a bid to turn its trucks into a paperless work environment, ERH also turned to Teletrac Navman’s electronic document solution, all delivered from the same device. Drivers can access electronic versions of their permits, instructions and any other paperwork associated with their daily actions through the devices. Documents are uploaded once and distributed to some or all vehicles. The devices ensure version control and act as a unified source of information, eliminating potential confusion that may arise because of discrepancies between paper and electronic documents.
Rupert emphasises that the implementation of Teletrac Navman’s technology ensures that drivers are always equipped with the correct documents for roadside checks, enhancing compliance. He highlights that the speed management solution helps keep drivers safe by providing timely warnings before they breach speed limits, which also reduces engine stress and improves fuel efficiency. Additionally, he notes that the transport management solution offers a comprehensive view of operations, enabling the team to monitor performance and address issues proactively, ultimately leading to smoother operations and increased efficiency.
Equipped with Teletrac Navman’s transport management solution, Rupert and his team have a big picture of the entire operation while it’s out on the road. A real-time flow of data to the back-office provides the information the business needs to run smoothly, analyse bad habits before they become trends, organise preventative vehicle maintenance and discover new efficiencies - a key goal for ERH as it tries to continually improve operations.
To take further advantage of the GPS-enabled telematics and vehicle tracking, ERH implemented geofencing. By drawing virtual boundaries around the locations that drivers deliver to, the exact time of arrival is automatically recorded. When ERH’s customers request delivery reports, the team can run a detailed timesheet showing delivery and departure times with little input from drivers and minimal administration time.
With Transport Certification Australia type-approved in-vehicle units installed, ERH now complies with the Intelligent Access Program (IAP) requirements and permits, giving it access to the road network at higher mass limits. These approved telematics devices provide the assurance needed by road managers that ERH is compliant with its permits and limits to provide productivity gains. Participation in the IAP has offered significant benefits to ERH, allowing trucks to carry more weight without risk of compliance issues. The increased weight allowance decreases the number of deliveries drivers are required to make, cutting down on emissions and truck wear and tear.
Results:
Since implementing Teletrac Navman’s suite of electronic solutions, ERH has achieved:
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Enhanced Compliance and Reporting: The company can ensure compliance at all times and has simplified audit and compliance reporting processes.
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Improved Management of Operations: ERH benefits from better fatigue management through Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) and real-time maintenance schedules, along with automated delivery reports using geo-fencing technology.
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Increased Safety and Access: The company has increased safety across the business with a focus on culture, while also gaining access to higher mass limits and additional roads through IAP certification.
About ERH Refrigerated Transport:
ERH Refrigerated Transport is an established transport provider based in Melbourne. ERH delivers locally and interstate daily, mainly covering the eastern seaboard of Australia delivering time and temperature sensitive freight, on time every time. The fleet consists of late model Euro 6 prime movers, coupled to the latest in steerable, quad axle fridge pans, carrying up to 56 pallet spaces and the versatility to carry ambient, chiller or frozen goods.