Van monitoring system helps slash costs

Sanctuary Group fleet manager Cliff Lewis. The business saw its fuel bill reduced by a third across a fleet of 80 vehicles – a massive saving

 

Driving standards improved immediately. In particular, incidents of speeding ceased almost overnight

SANCTUARY Maintenance, part of Sanctuary Group, has reduced its fuel bills by a third across 80 vehicles after using TomTom van management technology to encourage a safer, more fuel-efficient driving style among staff.

Sanctuary’s vans were equipped with LINK in-vehicle tracking devices, which enable the monitoring of vital aspects of driver performance, such as over-acceleration, idling and harsh steering or braking.

To explain the business rationale behind introduction of the technology and also limit resistance among drivers, Sanctuary Maintenance set up a UK-wide roadshow for its fleet operatives.

“Driving standards improved immediately. In particular, incidents of speeding ceased almost overnight,” Sanctuary Group fleet manager Cliff Lewis told Business Vans.

The system has also allowed the company to improve customer service delivery. Staff at Sanctuary’s Customer Service Centre can identify the best-placed driver for each job and provide the customer with an accurate arrival time, taking into account the live traffic situation using TomTom HD Traffic data.

“In terms of customer service, CSC staff have been able to pinpoint the exact location of an operative at any given time,” Lewis said.

“It has also eliminated the difficulty in substantiating exactly when an operative arrived at a resident’s premises, giving us a more accurate picture of response times to repairs and improvements.”

Van monitoring system helps slash costs

The technology is being rolled out across Sanctuary’s entire 500-strong fleet

The system includes the monitoring tool OptiDrive which business van management can use to develop performance scores for staff based on fuel efficiency, idling, steering and braking.  Active Driver Feedback provides drivers with real-time guidance via their in-cab navigation device, giving audible alerts when of harsh driving practices are detected.

The 80-vehicle pilot scheme has been so successful that the technology is being rolled out across the organisation’s entire 500-strong fleet. The LINK will be supplemented by PRO 7100 navigation devices and ecoPLUS fuel management units.

For more on how van managers need to address running costs click here.

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