A. Regardless of your fleet's size, telematics can reduce costs, reduce idling, improve driver behavior, and keep your vehicles well-maintained and running smoothly.
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...Read the rest of this storyA. Cost can be an issue to some fleets before they understand the overall return on investment and cost savings that are made possible with a open platform fleet management solution. Another area that can be challenging in trucking is resistance from drivers who may feel like the technology overreaches. It's important to rollout telematics in a way that is inclusive of driver feedback and to make sure they understand how it could also benefit them (such as helping exonerate drivers in the case of false claims).
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...Read the rest of this storyPhoto: Scania Thailand
">Photo: Scania Thailand
">Sweden-based truck maker Scania AB said on Feb. 6 that it has identified Thailand as one of the key markets in Asia and so is expanding its industrial and commercial operations there.
A new assembly plant for trucks and bus chassis as well as a manufacturing facility for truck cabs will be established in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. The total investment is pegged at EUR 21.2 million (almost U.S. $23 million). Operations are scheduled to start in 2018.
In addition, Scania will establish a regional headquarters in Thailand to support its distributors in the Asia and Oceania markets.
"The new establishment will bring all industrial and commercial functions in Scania even closer to our customers in Asia in general and in Thailand in particular," said Ted Göransson, project director. "By increasing our local presence, we will be able to quickly respond to customers' demands and make sure that we provide the best transport solution for each customer."
The expansion complements the already announced increase in Scania's service network in the country from the current 10 facilities to 18 workshops in 2019.
Scania is owned by Germany's Volkswagen AG.
Related: Scania Tests Autonomous Platooning in Singapore
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...Read the rest of this storyA. You can improve routing efficiency and reduce drive time by planning routes based on customer locations, pick-up and drop-off times, and traffic patterns. Telematics can record driver behavior, helping to examine such things as hard stops and speeding, which helps to provide more tailored driver training and coaching improvements as the incidents occur. Fuel consumption and overall MPG can be recorded. You can monitor and subsequently reduce idling, decreasing your fleet's overall CO2 emissions and fuel costs. Devices can monitor engine diagnostic trouble codes and set up reminders for proactive maintenance scheduling. Improve security of driver, vehicle, and cargo by knowing exact locations of all your vehicles at any given time. Help ensure compliance of federal regulations through better transparency over maintenance and the safety of your fleet.
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...Read the rest of this storyA. Yes. While the functionality of electronic logging for HOS is the core of what trucking fleets need to maintain compliance, choosing a provider that offers advanced vehicle diagnostic data and an open platform enables a greater impact to increasing your fleet's safety, productivity and overall profitability. Light-and medium-duty fleets have been capitalizing on the benefits for several years, so now is the time for the trucking industry to enjoy those same benefits.
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...Read the rest of this storyA. ELDs can automate IFTA fuel tax reporting. ELDs in combination with advanced Open Platform telematics capabilities provide remote engine monitoring, fuel usage monitoring, MPG, receipt and invoice scanning at the point of delivery, and the ability to geofence trucks and track arrival and departure dates and times. Fleets can see considerable cost savings. For example, FMCSA cited a large private fleet that saved $18,000 per year after moving to ELDs. Fleets can more closely monitor drivers' hours, enabling better planning and routing decisions to maximize productivity. ELDs can also help prevent driver fatigue and protect drivers from employers violating HOS rules.
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Optronics International has introduced the Fusion Thinline surface-mount LED combination stop, tail, turn, and backup lamp.
The company says it is the first to combine stop, tail, turn and backup functions into a common bar light format, named for its long, thin configuration. Fusion lamps are already available in four-inch round and six-inch oval formats with grommet and flange mount versions.
At 20.5 inches long, one inch wide and three-quarter-of-an-inch thick, Fusion Thinline surface-mount LED combination stop, tail, turn, and backup lamps can be mounted nearly anywhere on a vehicle, including vehicle body panels, frame posts, docking plates, or gussets.
The low-profile surface-mount design hugs the vehicle surface, and lets users avoid cutting large mounting holes that can reduce structural integrity and promote corrosion.
Wiring for the Fusion Thinline requires only one half-inch hole and two small mounting holes for either rivets or screws. Damaged lamps can be rewired and replaced easily, according to Optronics.
The lamps meet all FMVSS 108 photometric requirements for visibility and safety. Lenses and housings are made of a polycarbonate material that is sonically welded. The lamps employ a solid-state, surface-mount device design that protects the electronics against moisture, shock, and vibration.
All Fusion lamps come with one-diode lifetime warranty protection that will replace the lamp if even one diode fails. The new Fusion LED combination stop, tail, turn and backup lamps, part number STL264RB, are expected to begin shipping in early spring 2017.
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