3 major trends in fleet management

Nov 23. 2021

Fleet managers around the world are recognizing the growing importance of integrating technology into their day-to-day operations to boost their fleets and achieve better results. If you manage or own a fleet, these trends can help you be more efficient and take your business to the next level.

3 major trends in fleet management

1. Data collection and management

Fleet managers are looking for technology that collects the right data to help them better manage their fleet. Today's telematics systems collect an impressive amount of data about vehicles, drivers and daily operations, such as fuel consumption, average mileage per vehicle, routes, driving behavior, trip data including starts, stops, vehicle speeds, idle times, and more.

Based on this, a big trend that is gaining momentum is the creation of data management roles, with responsibility for analyzing the data objectively and translating it into process improvements for a more efficient and effective fleet.

2. Automation and Machine Learning

There are still a few years to go before self-driving vehicles hit the road, but automakers and telematics providers are investing heavily in advanced, automated safety technologies and machine learning.

In fleet management, this could be a significant advance, because of the tons of information about driving behavior that AI-enabled vehicles can collect and process. In fact, 61 percent of fleet managers surveyed believe autonomous trucks will become commonplace in the next decade.

3. Invest in the workforce

Drivers need to work with the technology your fleet uses, not against it. As a result, fleet managers are looking for ways to invest in training their employees on technology and its important role in making drivers' jobs more efficient and productive.

Fortunately, many of those entering the workforce have adapted to constant connectivity with their smartphones and PDAs, so the use of technology in the vehicle is simply considered standard operating procedure, and they recognize the benefits, such as increased safety and accident forgiveness.

To attract new talent and retain drivers, the trend for fleet managers is also to use incentive-based strategies, offer professional development and create employee committees to turn drivers into safety or technology advocates.