Fleet GPS - GPS Fleet Tracking System - GPS Fleet

GPS Devices Make Tracking Fleet Vehicles a Breeze

Christian W. — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:13:07 +0000

GPS devices are easy to use, affordable and use real-time vehicle GPS tracking technology. With a web based interface, modern GPS fleet tracking systems can be used anywhere to stay informed about your fleet. Email alerts, SMS alerts and advanced tracking reports keep you updated on your fleet 24/7.

Live vehicle GPS fleet tracking allows you to see where your fleet vehicles are at any time.
Web based interface ensures you will see your vehicles anywhere and everywhere.
Email and SMS alerts can notify you automatically anytime that an exception is triggered.
Consistent updates ensure you are kept up-to-date with your most valuable assets, your fleet.
Quick, professional installation of GPS devices so your vehicle is not out of use for more than a few hours

Garmin Messaging, Dispatching, Navigation, &Turn-by-turn directions:

Improve safety and send job details to Garmin dispatch unit
Send daily route itineraries to Garmin GPS devices
Stay current on each job status as pending, complete, assigned
Stop writing and driving and communication errors
Fraction of the cost of cell phones
Improve efficiency and customer service with less drive time
Reduce wages paid for “searching” for an address
Send short two-way messages

Businesses across the USA are using GPS tracking devices and experience:

Lower fuel costs
Elimination of unnecessary overtime
More accurate billing for jobs
Elimination of unauthorized vehicle use
More efficient routing
Improved response time
Safer driving techniques
Lower insurance costs
Reduced vehicle emissions
A Leaner, Greener fleet
Improved Customer Service

San Diego Fleet Services Director Wins Fleet Manager of the Year

Mike C. — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:33:50 +0000

Over 80 fleet management professionals and fleet solution providers were in attendance at the 100 Best Fleets Seminar held in Santa Ana, CA, August 26 to discuss best fleet management practices and to solutions to current issues in government fleet management. The seminar was presented by Government Fleet magazine. Tom Johnson, founder of the 100 Best Fleets, was the opening speaker at the fleet management event.

John Alley, CAFM, deputy director, fleet services for the City of San Diego, was previously named Government Fleet’s 2010 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year. Congratulations Mr. Alley! Among his notable accomplishments in 2009, Mr. Alley helped save the City of San Diego nearly $12 million through a fleet reduction program that reduced underutilized and obsolete fleet vehicles by more than 300 units. More on Alley’s award-winning fleet practices will be featured in an upcoming issue of Government Fleet Magazine.

At the Best Fleets seminar, Alley discussed applying business process re-engineering to fleet management in order to streamline operations efficiencies. He also spoke about the internal service fund and avoiding “fleet creep.” In his award acceptance speech, Mr. Alley said he was was grateful to all the individuals who helped him achieve the prestigious recognition. He thanked his wife of over 45 years, Betty, and also his staff, colleagues, and upper management at the City of San Diego.

At the Best Fleets Seminar, attendees separated into groups to discuss the challenges they face in the public fleet sector. Concerns shared include purchasing alt-fuel vehicles that perform as well as diesel units, budget restrictions and ensuring adequate training for staff, motivating staff and keeping staff levels at the ideal size, and purchasing concerns, which included a criticism of the method of going to bid for purchases.

GPS Tracking System FieldLogix Helps Drivers Go Green

Mike C. — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:56:21 +0000

GPS tracking system, FieldLogix, can quickly slash vehicle fuel consumption and fuel expenses plus reduce greenhouse gas pollution and CO2 vehicle emissions. FiedlLogix GPS fleet tracking system will give your fleet managers a GREEN Fleet Management Report that is easy to understand and utilize to develop a green fleet strategy. These automated Green Fleet Score Reports work around the clock, so you can quickly see increases in profitability, performance and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. With this type of GPS system, even a small fleet can save thousands of dollars per vehicle per year.

Vehicle GPS systems enable drivers to easily set attainable goals to reduce vehicle emissions and show tangible results. Reports that used to take days or months to compile now take just seconds thanks to recent improvements in fleet telematics technology. Modern GPS tracking systems can do things today that they were unable to do even just a few years ago. As the demand for Green features increases, the wireless telematics GPS technology is evolving.

Whether you have a fleet of one van or one thousand, all fleet managers should consider installing a GREEN GPS system into their fleet vehicles to monitor engine diagnostics, fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. With “Green” fleet GPS systems, it’s easy for fleet managers to identify areas for improvement and take decisive action on key issues such as:

•Speed Limits: Reduce fuel usage and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, plus improve driver safety and reduce liability by monitoring for excessive speeding. According to recent studies, a truck traveling at 75mph consumes 27% more fuel than it does at 65mph and a van at 70mph consumes 12% more fuel than at 60mph.

•Route Optimization: Since you pay for every mile, even a small reduction in vehicle mileage can reduce expenses and greenhouse gas pollution. GPS systems enable you to minimize distances using automatic route optimization based on time, distance, or avoided roadways. Depending on the fleet vehicle type, a decrease of 250 miles per month can translate to carbon reductions of roughly 160kg per month or 2 tons per year, plus a yearly cost savings of $1,000 per vehicle.

•Proactive Vehicle Maintenance and Smog Checks: Good GPS tracking systems enable you to remotely monitor motor oil life, engine fault codes, and emissions control system status. Depending on the size of your fleet, this proactive effort can lead to thousands of dollars saved (per vehicle) in vehicle maintenance, repairs and replacement costs. In the Unites States alone, better oil-life monitoring could save over 100 million gallons of oil over 5 years. For every 1lb psi of tire under-inflation, around 4 million gallons of fuel are wasted each day. A poorly tuned engine can use up to 50% more fuel and produces up to 50% more emissions than one that is running properly.

•Idling Controls: Lower idling times by up to 90%. Long-haul trucks can save up to $8,000 per truck per year (averaging 1,800 hours idling per year).

•Improve Fleet Utilization: Fleet management can realize huge savings in labor and fuel expenses because drivers aren’t sent out in search of lost trailers. Large fleet operators have recovered millions of dollars this way. Plus, you can avoid additional trailer purchases by lowering tractor-trailer ratios by 10% to 15%.

•Paperwork Reduction: With GPS fleet systems you can automatically share electronic driver logs, fuel tax reports, employee time cards, and schedule analysis of dispatch and accounting systems. Because paper trails are no longer necessary, overtime and administrative costs can be cut by 10% to 35%.

•Driving Analysis and Training: Stop aggressive driving. Reduce sharp acceleration aka jack-rabbit starts, hard braking, and unnecessary idling events. Jack-rabbit starts and hard braking can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40%. Tests show that “jackrabbit” starts and hard braking reduces travel time by only four percent, while toxic emissions were more than five times higher.

A GPS fleet tracking system helps you to find each of your fleet vehicle’s “sweet spots” such as the specific speeds, gear shifts, and acceleration where the best fuel efficiency can be achieved. In city driving, nearly 50% of the energy needed to power your car goes to acceleration.

•Customer Service: Diminish unnecessary customer service issues by as much as 95% through on-time delivery, accountability, and immediate responsiveness. With a GPS system you can identify and send out the nearest vehicle, improve route optimization, and reduce cargo spoilage. Also you can increase customer retention by offering proof of the company’s green achievements.

•Compliance with Upcoming Regulations for Government Contracts: Recently the EPA handed down a ruling that requested suppliers in the U.S. to report their GHG emissions. For some US fleets this will prove to be a major headache, for others, like those using FieldLogix fleet management software, it won’t be a problem. Government departments are under pressure from environmental agencies to control and limit GHG emissions, and that has a rippling effect for all American fleets, especially those the government does business with.

The FieldLogix vehicle GPS tracking system can correlate all this data with routing options, schedules, maintenance, and driving behavior to establish current baselines. Once baselines have been established, realistic goals can be set and the results can easily be measured by the fleet vehicle tracking GPS system. Fleet managers can immediately send the news to customers, investors, or other important company stakeholders.

Not only is the FieldLogix GPS system a Green product, but the company itself is committed to being Green. FieldLogix uses very fuel efficient vehicles for installation services such as the Toyota Echo which gets 36mpg; all computers go into power save after 20 minutes of inactivity; they properly recycle all electronics; to reduce vehicle emissions they allow some employees to telecommute.

City of New Orleans Cuts Fleet Size in Half

Justin K. — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:10:17 +0000

The Fleet Management Department in the city of New Orleans, LA, is revising its city employee take-home vehicle policy. The Fleet Management Department is significantly reducing the number of take-home vehicles for city employees, according to a statement from Mayor Mitch Landrieu. As the city faces a huge budget shortfall, take-home cars have been a recurring topic under scrutiny. The new policy, according to Landrieu, reduces the total number of fleet vehicles from 937 to 473, effective Sept 1, 2010. Starting right away, the extra 464 vehicles will now only be used during regular business hours or auctioned off, according to the mayor’s office.

The new policy also eliminates take-home fleet vehicles for those living 40 miles or more outside of New Orleans, “as it is impractical for them to respond to on a 24 hour basis in a timely manner,” said the statement from the mayor’s office.“We are changing the way business is done at City Hall,” said Landrieu. “The revised policy will save hundreds of thousands of dollars annually and is just another way we are streamlining government, eliminating waste and more effectively managing city assets.”

“We’re spending a lot of money paying for fuel, paying for costs associated with driving people to and from work everyday in city owned vehicles,” said Andy Kopplin, deputy mayor. “That’s an expense we can’t afford.” Landrieu, however, said in the statement that New Orleans police officers who live in Orleans Parish will still be allowed to take their vehicles home since they provide a crime deterrent for their neighborhoods.

“A take-home vehicle is a tool for folks to use in effectively carrying out their jobs,” said Andy Kopplin, Deputy Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer. “A take-home vehicle is not a perk for upper management; it’s not for people who don’t need one. The city is in a financial position that we just can’t afford to do those sorts of things anymore.”

As many cities struggle to cut costs without jeopardizing the safety and well being of citizens, the number of city owned fleet vehicles and equipment is being questioned. A GPS fleet tracking system can help any city to determine the optimal size of its fleet. A GPS fleet system tracks critical vehicle data enabling fleet managers to quickly and easily gain valuable insight into fleet activities.

There are several ways for government’s to achieve cost savings by reducing the size of its fleet. Money can be derived from:

sales of current fleet vehicles
the avoidance of replacing unnecessary fleet vehicles
the avoidance of maintaining unnecessary fleet vehicles
the avoidance of fueling and operating unnecessary fleet vehicles

Taking cars off the road is a good idea for any fleet. Not only does it cut costs, but it can also reduce harmful vehicle emissions. In light of the recent environmental disasters in the Gulf of Mexico near New Orleans, it is more important than ever for the city to reduce its negative environmental impact. A GPS fleet tracking system can significantly help fleets of any size reduce costs, increase productivity and go green at the same time.

10 Ways GPS Tracking Increase Small Business Profitability and Productivity

Justin K. — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:28:04 +0000

GPS fleet tracking systems can increase the profitability and productivity of any company, especially those with mobile employees or vehicles. How would you like to increase your small business’ bottom line by over 7 percent while improving service and tightening your performance? Whether you have a fleet of one or one thousand, GPS fleet tracking devices are a rock solid investment. GPS fleet tracking requires only a small initial outlay that will increase the productivity of your business in a huge way. Real-time GPS systems using industry leading telematics technology can save businesses thousands of dollars per yer per vehicle. GPS fleet tracking lets you become the master controller, with dynamic updates on where your investment is going at any time.

GPS fleet tracking systems can increase profitability by:

Reducing Operating Costs – By monitoring activities like speeding or excessive idling you can not only save fuel, but reduce damage done to the engine, brakes and tires. An added bonus is you can also reduce vehicle green house gas emissions.
Reducing Fuel and Maintenance Costs – The average operating cost per vehicle is about $1.50 per mile. A company can reduce at least 25 miles per week for each vehicle with a GPS fleet tracking system.
Increasing Efficiency – On average, each vehicle could complete at least one extra stop, job, or delivery per day by using a web based GPS fleet management system.
Reducing Delays and Time Spent at Unauthorized Locations – Wouldn’t it be nice to not have for your employees to waste time and money sitting in traffic? With fleet tracking software you can not only track but easily establish a custom notification system for events like a driver going outside of a designated area. speeding or staying idle for too long.
Reducing Insurance Rates by up to 35% – Many insurance companies offer discounted premiums for vehicles that have real-time GPS systems.

GPS fleet tracking systems can increase profitability by:

Monitoring Routes and Stops – Idle time and stops at unauthorized locations can become costly for your business. With modern GPS systems you can ensure that this does not become a problem. This will keep fuel costs low and drivers safe.
Eliminating Paper Logs – The digital record is not subject to human error and makes the process of record keeping more in depth without any additional hassle. Electronic driver logs can also help with vehicle and fuel tax calculations, audits, and optimizing resources.
Detecting Side Jobs – By tracking both real time and historic data you can notice and eliminate suspicious uses of your vehicles by employees. Don’t risk being liable for unauthorized vehicle usage.
Improving Response Time & Customer Service – By knowing where your vehicles at all times on a real time map, dispatchers can easily send the nearest vehicle when a new job arises. This saves both money and time and makes customers happy.
Monitoring Maintenance & Engine Alerts- Extending the life of your vehicles is important because replacing them is expensive. No more guessing or having to dig up information! GPS tracking systems report all vehicle activity and immediately alert fleet managers of thing they should be aware of such as faulty engine alerts or the need for smog checks or oil-changes. Maintaining vehicles is made made easy with a GPS tracking system because it automatically keeps you aware of this critical information.

Modern GPS Systems Give More than Just Directions

Justin K. — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:19:32 +0000

GPS Navigation Systems were created in the early 1970’s by the U.S. Department of Defense for military purposes. Since then, GPS Systems have come a long way. In the past, GPS systems were expensive and difficult to use. Many people often preferred to use a paper map and hand written driving directions. But now times have changes. Modern vehicle GPS systems are easy to use, very affordable and give accurate turn-by-turn directions to drivers through computerized speech. All consumers have to do is make sure the GPS devices are charged and ready to go.

How does a GPS System work?

GPS technology uses 24 orbiting satellites with very accurate clocks. The timing between your GPS receiver and at least three different satellites allows a distance to be measure. Then by using triangulation and distance mathematics, your location can be determined.

A GPS System can do more than just give directions: As with most technologies, the hardware has gotten smaller and better. Today GPS systems can be installed in a multitude of places. Most cell phones now have a GPS receiver built in, and even there are even GPS watches too. GPS can be used to track wildlife, pets, stolen vehicles, fleet delivery trucks and even your children! Modern GPS systems not only give you turn-by-turn directions, it can also include features such as hands-free calling, MP-3 music, Blue-tooth, 3-D street level mapping, real time traffic reports, touch screens, FM transmitters, fuel pricing and weather reports.

Optimizing your driving route with a vehicle GPS system will not only prevent you from getting lost but it will also reduce your gas expense and reduce your carbon footprint. It may not seem like a lot day to day, but over the course of a year it really adds up. The average U.S. driver using a GPS system with real-time traffic updates is able to cut nearly 4 days off of their annual commute as well as decrease their carbon footprint (vehicle CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions) by over 21%.

Garmin GPS Systems are the best and they are known for their bright screens and simple menus. One of the best Garmin consumer GPS tracking system features is the “find closest gas station” option. It definitely comes in handy when you are in the middle of nowhere and are running dangerously low on gas. If you are hiker, you can take a portable some GPS devices with you, because when you are ready to turn around and head back to the car there is a function called “bread crumb trail”. This feature shows you exactly the route you just walked and will lead you right back on the same exact trail.

GPS Systems for Businesses:

Managing mobile employees is never easy. How do you know where they are or if they are taking long lunch breaks or are going to be late for their next appointment? With a good GPS System such as FieldLogix, tracking mobile employees has never been easier. Not only can you make sure they are working but you can help them save time by avoiding accidents or traffic. Or you can help them see more customers in a day by optimizing their driving routes which is usually a win-win for everyone – customers, managers and employees alike.

Fleet management is certainly a challenging task, regardless of how many vehicles you have in your fleet. Fleet management GPS systems such as FieldLogix can help fleet managers to cut costs, increase productivity and also go green.

Vehicle GPS Systems Prevent Texting While Driving

Mike C. — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:22:46 +0000

Vehicle GPS Tracking System Solutions:

Regardless of which state you are in, texting while driving is irresponsible and dangerous, especially for those driving large commercial fleet vehicles such as heavy duty trucks. Essentially anyone whose job requires them to drive around town can benefit from the increased safety, efficiency and legal compliance that a Garmin integrated GPS tracking device can provide. Less than two weeks ago a very famous and successful plastic surgeon drove off a cliff in Mailbu because he was texting while driving. The accident demonstrates the very real danger of texting while driving, an activity that has reportedly spiked in recent years.

“I hear, almost daily, accounts of people who are injured while texting,” said Dr. Angela Gardner, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Gardner said “It has stopped being an oddity when we hear that someone was texting and has a wreck. Now it’s more of a fairly common occurrence…While sending out a status update during a leisurely drive may seem innocuous, it only takes a moment for distracted drivers to become vulnerable.”

Text messaging has been the primary source of communication between truck drivers, dispatchers and fleet managers for many years. Fleet managers have relied on text messaging to stay in touch with their drivers at all times. When rerouting drivers or changing job priorities or text messaging has been the quickest and cheapest method of communication. In order to comply with recent text messaging laws, and to encourage safer driving habits, many companies have integrated GPS fleet tracking systems. Fleet tracking GPS systems with Garmin integration enable dispatchers to send and receive information through a driver’s GPS system, eliminating the need for text messaging. This helps to keep truck drivers safe and comply with State text messaging laws.

Many companies and government fleets are employing this improved fleet telematics technology to communicate with mobile employees while out in the field. With the integration of a Garmin integrated GPS tracking solution, fleet operators can quickly and easily communicate, reroute or dispatch employees through their GPS navigation systems, without the need to call or text message. For many companies to be successful, fleet managers, dispatchers and vehicle drivers must have the ability to respond quickly to emergency calls or schedule changes.

By integrating a Garmin integrated GPS fleet tracking solution, businesses such as building services, construction or delivery companies, can significantly reduce instances of distracted driving. Directions are delivered through the fleet GPS navigation device, installed on the dashboard, both audibly and visually. This eliminates the need to use a cell phone while driving and significantly increases driver safety.

FieldLogix was one of the first fleet management systems to offer the integration between GPS fleet tracking and Garmin turn-by-turn driver navigation systems. FieldLogix GPS fleet tracking systems are installed in thousands of fleet vehicles across the U.S. FieldLogix provides cutting edge GPS telematics technology to hundreds of companies and municipalities, helping them to improve efficiency as well as increase driver safety and legal compliance.

Better Fuel Management Can Save Your Fleet Thousands Per Vehicle

Justin K. — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:16:14 +0000

Fuel costs are one of a fleet manager’s largest expenses. Applying the best fleet fuel practices such as idling reduction efficient routing are highly effective approaches to reducing fuel costs. Using a web-based fleet GPS management system, purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles, and relocating a key fueling station are also ways to reduce fuel consumption and employee hours.

Fleet Managers should apply the following basic principles of good fuel management because these are proven to be the most effective approach trimming fuel costs and consumption. Once these “best of” fleet management practices are implemented and consistently executed, innovative solutions can further promote control of one of fleet’s most expensive operational costs. The Best Fleet Fuel Management Principles include:

Right-sizing fleet vehicles.
Idling reduction.
Fuel-efficient vehicles.
Consistent scheduled maintenance.
Eco-Smart driver education.
Tracking fuel expenses.
Efficient route planning.

For example, the State of Colorado Department of Fleet Management created a culture that recognizes petroleum-use reductions as a top priority. In 2009, the State achieved a petroleum reduction of 11.6-percent toward a goal of 25-percent overall reduction. With the current petroleum reduction of 300,000 gallons, the State cut its greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 6 million lbs., according to Art Hale, state fleet manager.

Progress toward the goal was made through replacing fleet vehicles with hybrid vehicles, increasing use of alternative fuels, using fleet GPS tracking system together with their in-house Web-based data management system, MyCARS (Colorado Automotive Reporting System), to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Colorado’s State Fleet is using a telematics GPS fleet tracking system to measure real-time fuel-consuming driver behaviors, including idle time, speeding, and erratic driving. According to Hale, each state vehicle reported in a state analysis driven 10 fewer miles per week would cut nearly 2 million annual VMT, saving 115,000 gallons of fuel each year.

In the first two quarters of 2010, the State of Colorado received $379,716 in fuel reduction rebates. Most state agencies plan to invest these funds toward green fleet activities to further enhance petroleum reduction even further in 2010. The State of Colorado currently operates over 1,200 flexible-fuel vehicles and 500 hybrid-electric vehicles in their Fleet Services Department.

FieldLogix Fleet GPS Makes San Diego’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies List

Armand G. — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:41:50 +0000

Industry leading fleet GPS tracking and GPS fleet management company, FieldLogix, has been named by the San Diego Business Journal as one of the Fastest Growing Companies in San Diego – again! The San Diego Business Journal will announce the final ranking of each of the top 100 Fastest Growing Companies during an awards ceremony on on Sept 16^th, 2010. FieldLogix is a pioneer in providing a green GPS fleet tracking service for fleets throughout the U.S.

The San Diego Business Journal compiles a list of rapidly growing companies annually and ranks them according to revenue growth over a two year period. In 2009, FieldLogix made the 100 Fastest Growing list due to a 60% increase in revenues from 2007 to 2008. Now in 2010, FieldLogix is being recognized again for its strong revenue growth.

FieldLogix was one of the first to offer the FMI integration between GPS fleet tracking and Garmin driver navigation systems. According to a FieldLogix press release in April, FieldLogix’s Fleet Management Interface (FMI) decision to integrate telematics fleet tracking with Garmin International’s (Nasdaq:GRMN) turn-by-turn in-vehicle navigation has yielded an 830% increase in FieldLogix +NAV YTD Sales from 2009 to 2010. FieldLogix provides GPS fleet tracking systems to companies across the U.S.

FieldLogix has continued to grow dramatically and has real-time GPS devices installed in thousands of vehicles nationwide. Despite increased competition and a challenging economy, FieldLogix has successfully differentiated itself by its industry leading product offerings and customer support. Not only has the Company increased its revenues, but it has also successfully continued to improve its GPS fleet management system. The fleet GPS vehicle tracking device is a Green product that can help fleet managers to reduce both costs and vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.

Today, approximately 3.6 million GPS/wireless devices are used to monitor fleet vehicles, trailers, construction equipment and mobile workers in the United States. According to a study by C.J. Driscoll & Associates. by 2012, the fleet GPS and wireless telematics device market is predicted to expand to over 6.5 million units, and Mobile Resource Management (MRM) hardware and service revenues will grow to over $2.5 billion. Continuing market growth will be fueled by a number of factors including declining hardware costs, reliable wireless data communication networks with broad coverage, and increasing awareness of the strong return on investment provided by MRM solutions.

Best Practices in Reducing Government Fleet Fuel Expenses

Fleet GPS Expert — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:22:19 +0000

The following article discusses how government fleets around the US are successfully managing and reducing fleet fuel expenses. This Part One of a Series of Articles. Next to to depreciation, fuel is the second greatest public sector fleet expense. Municipal, county, and state fleets reveal their best practices in reducing fleet fuel expenses.

Identify underutilized vehicles and equipment with high maintenance costs

The City of San Antonio’s Fleet Management Department reviews fuel requirements and usage, vehicle mileage, and fleet maintenance costs to identify underutilized vehicles and unnecessary equipment with high maintenance costs with fleet tracking telematics equipment. San Antonio’s fleet is comprised of approximately 5,050 vehicles and equipment, mostly sedans (1,500) and specialized equipment (3,000-plus), including refuse trucks, trailers, and off-road equipment. The city has been successful in reducing the size of its fleet and when necessary purchase more fuel efficient fleet vehicles.

“In an effort to further reduce fuel costs and emissions, the City is currently evaluating the introduction of both E-10 (10-percent ethanol) and B-5 (5-percent biodiesel) fuels,” said Florencio Peña, fleet manager, City of San Antonio. “Compressed natural gas (CNG) is used to power 30 of the City’s side-loader refuse trucks, and propane has been used for several years to power both vehicles and equipment.”

Replaced outdated fuel card reader systems with an automated fuel fleet management system

The City of San Antonio’s Fleet Maintenance Dept. replaced a decade-old fuel card reader system with an automated fuel management system (AFMS) and fleet GPS management system. The automated fuel management system incorporates both hardware and software to track, monitor, and manage fuel inventory, fuel dispensing, and accounting and billing processes. The city’s fleet no longer needs fuel cards, and has decreased the amount of time spent dispensing fuel, and implemented the transmission of vehicle driving data via radio frequency with a fleet management system.

AFMS hardware and dispensing equipment has also been installed on mobile fuel trucks. Improvements achieved through the implementation of the new system helps to reduce human error, duplicity, and technological inefficiencies by accurately reporting mileage, fuel inventory, and automatically links to the City’s fleet GPS management system.

The AFMS system increases auditing capabilities. The fleet fuel management system also has integrated security features as well as hardware that supports customer hands-free authorization for dispensing fuel and accurate data exchange between the vehicle’s onboard computer and the island kiosk through a local wireless transmission.

Often times, due to warranty and other reasons, many fleets utilize an early routine maintenance cycle rather than exceed the established interval. The AFMS eliminates early maintenance cycles and their associated unnecessary cost expenditures. Data is imported from the island computer, which contains AFMS data for each vehicle. The data is imported into a fleet GPS management program, resulting is an estimated savings of about 35 hours in monthly labor and overhead costs.

Fixed-Price Fuel Contracts for Fleets; Replaced obsolete Petro Vend system

The City of Chesapeake, VA routinely monitors fixed-price fuel contracts. The city fleet managers are poised to commit as soon as pricing is favorable for its 2,800-vehicle fleet (cars, light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks). George Hrichak, fleet manager, said to better manage fleet fuel expenses, fleet managers have negotiated an attractive daily Oil Price Information Service (OPIS)-plus contract to meet fuel requirements. Also, the city is replacing an obsolete Petro Vend system.

To be continued in Best Practices in Reducing Government Fleet Fuel Expenses – Part Two….