Fleet Management
Introduction
Fleet Management has evolved into a complex role over the last 30 years. It is not wholly about drivers and vehicles, it is equally
concerned with the environment, cost, efficiency, training, employment and health and safety within all aspects of the workplace including
the wider road network.
Fleet Managers today shoulder far greater responsibilities than ever before, and it is as a result of their professionalism that not only
transport companies, but equally manufacturers and industry suppliers who have prospered through their skills.
Work Related Road Safety
Managing work related road safety is difficult. Your drivers are away from the sanctuary of their home base and in an environment where they
have no control over what may/may not befall them. However, being pro-active and minimising the potential risk factor by proper
training, supplying your drivers with the correct tools to carry out their work function and ensuring the vehicles they drive are problem
free and safe to take onto the public highway will go a long way to minimising risk.
The government equally has a role to play here. Sensible legislation, good road infrastructure, sufficient parking for commercial
vehicles and assistance through government funded training programs are key elements in ensuring that risk is minimised and the supply
chain continues to move forward as it should.
Dovetailing the priorities of Fleet Managers and Government representatives in an effort to attain the same goal can only be achieved
if both parties listen to each other. It's all very well that the Industry can see the reasons for things such as traffic congestion,
as long as the Government looks to the value that any solution that's posed has. Not doing something because there's a price tag
attached is not an answer, at some point (like it or not) something will invariably have to be done and the new price tag will likely be
considerably higher. Moreover, what occurs in the interim period, is a growth in the risk factor(s) (for all) and the likelihood of
potential death and injury. Closer co-operation is the key.
The Road safety bill was one measure that was introduced at the end of 2006, which, through it's content will do much to remove
some of the risk element on our roads, which includes targeting irresponsible UK through graduated fixed penalties for Foreign drivers and
further action for Operators via the enforcemnt body - VOSA.
For the Fleet Manager of today, managing work related road safety has some potential benefits, such as:
- potential benefits from reduced insurance premiums.
- unecessary absence of the workforce through prevention of work related accidents.
- informed decisions made on purchasing the correct vehicles.
- recognising specific training needs.
- lower repair and maintenance costs.
- overall reduction in running costs through driver training.
- reduction in operational costs through more productive use of management time.
Despite the fact that many of the more enlightened employers and fleet managers have been successfully managing occupational road risk for some time, there are still far to many companies and organisations failing to implement occupational road risk schemes. It's not enough to wholly rely on the Health & Safety personnel to do things for you, this needs to come from the key player - you.
Environmental Impact
The carbon footprints of many transport operators (especially those running empty mileage) is far from acceptable in the 21st century. With
Transport CO2 emissions still increasing and 20% of the total CO2 emissions in the UK coming from road traffic, there is an every greater
need for Fleet Managers to look long and hard at how they manage their domains and to take ownership for what their predecessor will
inherit.
In an age where the cost of a barrel of oil stands at 100$ and the reflective pump prices in the UK are over £1 per litre, it's vitally
important that the boardroom listens to reasoned discussion on reducing its companies carbon footprint and considers a shift to other modes
of transport, even if these are only intended for use in our towns and cities.
The use of new generation fuels such as Biodiesel and Bioethanol, coupled with the Electric/Hybrid vehicles all help in this area. However,
whereas Biodeisel has many benefits, there are equally certain disadvantages such as engine performance and power.
Areas where Fleet Management can play a role utilising existing fleets are as follows:
- vehicles capable of doing the work intended.
- good fleet maintenance policy.
- driver training and education.
- minimise vehicles running empty.
- good tyre policy.
All of these points can contribute to reducing your companies carbon footprint, and can equally have a significant benefit on your bottom line.
Wider Road Network
We've all heard the speculation surrounding Road Pricing. The Government have proposed (following research) that this method would
have an impact upon our roads by reducing congestion by up to 40%. The Governments reasoning is that by looking at our congestion
problems through the introduction of a Road Pricing Scheme, we would likely see:
- that it would give us back control of our road network.
- that it would restore traffic flow throughout the day.
- that it would make journey times reliable once again.
- that it would win the backing of fleets and the private motorist.
We have a great deal of difficulty accepting that point 4 would be as palatable to the Transport sector as the Government seem to believe. The Transport industry has seen nothing more than cost 'dumped' unceremoniously on its bottom line eroding its potential to be profitable through the introduction of the Road Transport Working Time Directive, changes in EC Drivers Hours Rules, Congestion charging, speed limiters, extortionate fuel prices and the power crazed attitude of local authorities regarding parking fines. This industry cannot absorb any more unecessary costs.
The fact that something needs to be done regarding traffic congestion is not in question. The crux of the matter is simply that the current
Road Infrastructure is inadequate for todays volume of traffic and nothing more.
Road building has continued over the last 20 years of that there is no argument. However, there are key areas within the UK that have seen
"first aid" given when it is patently obvious that major surgery is the only solution to remedying the situation. An example of
this is undoubtedly the South Coast road network, or rather the lack of it. The points below are applicable to the South Coast from
Folkestone through to Honiton. It's unbelievable that this same stretch of road network was proposed to be completed as the South
Coast link as far back as the early 60's - all 230 miles of it:
- roads have been downgraded in an effort not to spend money on them.
- multi million pound schemes carried through on specific junctions that have resolved one problem but further created others.
- bypasses around major towns, proposed and shelved.
- upgrading of short sections of dual carraigeway, which has only speeded the bottleneck from one town to the next.
When talking about the 'Wider Road Network', we should also be considering the people that use it. There is a huge argument here for many sensible solutions that would go a long way to minimising congestion through vehicle useage. Until then, Fleet Managers will have to continue negotiating the obstacles placed in front of them in an effort to keep the wheels in motion at minimal cost and risk.
