How Is Fleet Tracking Technology Helping The Environment

The need to take decisive action on environmental issues grows ever more pressing. Not only does the spectre of climate change loom ever larger on the horizon, but air pollution is also becoming an ever more alarming problem in many of the world's major cities - not least London, which breached its annual air pollution limits within just five days of the start of the new year.

It's all the more important, then, to find technological fixes which can help ameliorate our impact on the environment. Fleet tracking systems, in particular, have helped to deliver significant improvements by reducing fuel consumption and, in tandem, carbon emissions.

Enhanced route planning

One of the key ways in which GPS fleet tracking has assisted with these improvements is by allowing for more accurate and responsive real-time route planning through the use of location data. This makes it far easier for fleet managers to determine the optimal route from base to destination. In addition, it also gives them the capability to alter the chosen route as circumstances change, taking account of adverse weather conditions and other disruption. This helps to reduce the amount of time fleet vehicles spend stuck in traffic, with their engine idling.

Improving driver behaviour

Another way in which GPS fleet tracking devices help to reduce fuel consumption and enhance efficiency is by monitoring driver conduct behind the wheel. Fleet tracking data provides fleet managers with an in-depth insight into the way drivers behave on the road, flagging up a range of dangerous actions - including sudden braking, rash cornering, breaches of the speed limit and tailgating. Aggressive driving such as this results in wasted fuel.

By uncovering these behaviours where they exist, fleet managers are better-equipped to devise training and development programmes tailored to address the shortcomings of individual drivers. This not only helps to improve road safety, but also reduces the stresses and strains to which vehicles are subjected by their drivers – and this, in turn, should ensure they perform more efficiently, for longer.

Reduce Engine Idling

One of the biggest wastes of fuel in the UK is engine idling, keeping the vehicle ignition on when stationary. Fleet tracking software provides alerts and reports that enable business leaders to identify and reduce instances of idling, cutting fuel cost and CO2 output. Engine idling is also a performance metric that fleet tracking systems incorporate into driver behaviour reports - ensuring that the topic is always on the agenda.'

CO2 monitoring

Furthermore, fleet tracking technology has delivered major improvements in CO2 monitoring. A fleet tracking system provides fleet managers with useful data relating to both fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, in addition to location tracking and driver performance data which allows for improved vehicle utilisation. Vehicle reports provide easily measurable CO2 emissions metrics, enabling operators to monitor the environmental performance of their fleet with simplicity. This is likely to prove particularly important and useful for firms operating fleets in major cities.