麻豆传媒

Delivery and operational Fleet Managers know the critical role drivers play in their operations. Without the people who spend long hours behind the wheel, your fleet drivers, businesses would grind to a halt. In fact, it鈥檚 a scenario that many are currently experiencing first hand.

According to the World Transport Organisation, there鈥檚 a major global shortage of professional drivers. Businesses across the road transport sector have 2.6 million fewer drivers than they need 鈥� a huge challenge that can affect fleets of all sizes and types. And it鈥檚 not getting any easier to overcome with the number of driver vacancies growing in recent years.¹

Against this backdrop, the global last-mile delivery market is expected to grow by over $140 billion between 2022 and 2026.² This puts greater pressure on the drivers who are out on the road. It also puts their safety at greater risk when they are speeding due to time pressure which is a leading contributor to road traffic accidents.³

Even when working to tight deadlines and margins, fleet managers have a duty of care to their drivers. And this means making sure drivers have all the tools they need to complete their job safely and efficiently 鈥� without compromising their mental and physical health or wellbeing.

While implementing initiatives such as driver training or fit for work checks can be helpful, having full visibility of your fleet is crucial, to gain valuable insights into day-to-day activity and ensure your drivers are fully supported. That鈥檚 where data can help you and your drivers to analyse all aspects of your operations, to make them as safe and efficient as possible.

Why trust is key to unlocking the potential of fleet data

Data has huge potential to shape the safety of your fleet operations. Offering insights on everything from vehicle performance and utilisation to driving behaviours and route optimisation, it highlights areas where you can work closely with drivers to make improvements.

For example, telematics can be a critical tool that builds awareness around safety and performance by giving you the opportunity to dive into your vehicle data. However, this does require a certain level of trust between you and your drivers. There needs to be an understanding on both sides that tools like this aren鈥檛 used to intrusively track drivers鈥� activities.

That鈥檚 why onboarding is an important way to make sure that your drivers have full transparency around how this data can be used to support fleet operations 鈥� helping them to buy into a positive change.

How data-driven insights can help your drivers to thrive

With your drivers on board, there鈥檚 so much you can achieve by harnessing the power of your vehicle data. Providing you with actionable insights, telematics can help you to:

As highlighted above, telematics offers you an effective way to improve driver safety and wellbeing through vehicle data. But your vehicles are far from the only source of useful fleet data 鈥� integrated payment solutions can also help you to make your drivers鈥� lives easier.

For example, giving them easy access to stations where they can refuel or recharge their vehicles and themselves is a handy way to remove some of the stress of the job. With a payment solution that鈥檚 widely accepted across different networks, drivers know they don鈥檛 have to go far (and certainly not out of their way) to fill up, helping them to focus more clearly on the road ahead.

You can also make it quicker and easier for them to stop off and refuel or recharge with a single card for fuel and charging transactions 鈥� meaning they don鈥檛 have to use multiple cards depending on the vehicle they are driving. Plus, as a fleet manager your data is all in one place, reducing the admin for you as well.

There鈥檚 a way to take this even further with a payment solution that drivers can use across their fuel and non-fuel purchases. Managing expenses is then just another thing your drivers don鈥檛 have to worry about 鈥� and loyalty programmes give them rewards when they take a well-deserved break.

All this integration makes it easier for you to manage your overall fleet operations. Less admin means you can focus on the tasks that add real value to your business.

Arguably, the most valuable thing about having access to your fleet鈥檚 data is that your operations become much more transparent.

As part of your duty of care, you can use this data to inform conversations with your drivers 鈥� making sure they feel well supported. Also, greater visibility of everything that鈥檚 going on out on the road helps you to work with drivers to manage any challenges they have while improving their safety and wellbeing.

Data-driven fleet management can make a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of your drivers. At Shell Fleet Solutions, we鈥檙e here to help you achieve that. Working closely with fleets to overcome their challenges, we offer a range of digital solutions and consultancy support.

The hybrid Shell Card provides a single payment solution for fuel, EV charging and other purchases 鈥� all while giving your drivers access to a large fuel and EV network. To help you gain visibility and build transparency, telematics combines your Shell Card and vehicle data to give you the actionable insights that help you work with drivers to improve safety and efficiency.

We can help you to simplify your fleet management, freeing up your time to focus on those who truly drive your business forward.

Disclaimer:
¹ _{World Transport Organisation, Global driver shortages: 2022 year in review, December 2022}
² _{Storm 5, 5 Last-Mile Delivery Challenges In 2022, July 2022}
³ _{Research Gate, The effects of time pressure on driver performance and physiological activity: A driving simulator study, 2016}