Equipment

Eight Benefits of Using GPS and Truck Telematics at Construction Jobsites

One of the best ways to ensure truck drivers arrive at their destination on time is to use mobile GPS, ELD or telematics devices to track trucks. These tools communicate location and driver behavior to fleet management or a transportation management system.
By Ryan Camacho
June 1, 2021
Topics
Equipment

In the construction industry, trucks must arrive at a jobsite, on time and with the right amount of products. If the truck arrives without a particular product, such as the correct type of plywood or the right amount of cement, the job can be delayed. Building projects follow a strict timeline and require coordination of materials arriving at the right place at the right time.

If any materials or equipment are missing, the crew sits around at the jobsite until the items arrive. Missing materials are costly because workers are still getting paid even without the right tools and materials. Plus, many contractor contracts have project management goals and timelines built-in. If these project timelines come in late, contractors will be awarded a fine.

One of the best ways to ensure truck drivers arrive at their destination on time is to use mobile GPS, ELD or telematics devices to track the truck. These tools communicate location and driver behavior to fleet management or a transportation management system (TMS).

Benefits

Using GPS devices, ELD equipment, and telematics with a transportation management system or fleet management solution benefits construction firms. Here’s how.

1. GPS devices track vehicle locations in real-time so crews will know the exact estimated delivery times. Project managers get real-time location information from GPS devices to know exactly where the truck is—and whether the truck will be on time or delayed due to traffic.

2. ELD devices monitor driver behavior, such as hard-braking and speeding, so that dispatchers can alert management to erratic behavior that needs addressing. Without these devices, businesses that run a fleet of vehicles rely on the public reporting the negative behavior. Sophisticated vehicle tracking technology provides fleet managers with valuable information on driver behavior and driving style. By having this proof of poor driving, managers can help drivers be more considerate with their driving. Plus, less aggressive driving lessens fuel usage and wear and tear on vehicles.

3. The Hours of Service (HOS) data collected via electronic log devices ensures that drivers stay within the limitations of the regulation. Electronic Logging Devices monitor stop, rest and break times required by HOS, ensuring compliance. The captured information will prove to law enforcement that the trucker is abiding by the mandates and that the driver is not in jeopardy of exceeding HOS regulations. Depending on vehicle weight and travel distance, HOS regulations may apply to construction industry suppliers, or even to the construction contractor itself.

4. Telematics and ELD devices can monitor equipment health and utilization. Managers collect engine data such as fuel usage, trouble codes and idling times. Getting more detailed insight into the health of contractor trucks can trigger maintenance reminders. It helps with knowing when to bring a truck in for repairs or its scheduled preventive maintenance. Integrating vehicle health and actual miles driven information into a transportation management system helps create a centralized view of our vehicle and asset fleet to avoid downtime.

5. GPS devices validate claimed start and stop times to tracking data to uncover any discrepancies. Drivers can potentially falsify paper tickets upon entering a jobsite, but GPS tracking devices know exact times, so entry and exit times are verified electronically. Customers can be charged for any additional time staff works on-site, and truck drivers will be paid accurately.

6. If delays continuously happen with a specific truck driver, managers can identify the root cause of the delays. Are the delays happening because when the driver goes to pick up the load, the load is not ready, and the driver has to wait? Are the delays happening because the truck driver is not adhering to the planned route? Are delays happening because not enough workers have been scheduled to help load and unload the truck? Once the issue is uncovered, action is taken to correct the problem.

7. At very large jobsites, trucks and trailers can get misplaced. The driver can unload at the wrong location, or he may need to be re-routed to another location. Knowing where assets are on the jobsite lets managers communicate messages when conditions change or a load is not where it’s supposed to be.

8. Getting real-time insight into equipment location and its operation state allows project managers to stay on time and budget. Managers get complete visibility into truck operations by accurately tracking the movement of assets in real-time. Construction equipment and materials are expensive and a big target for theft. With tracking equipment, project managers gain increased security of assets at the jobsite.

The benefits of tying telematics, GPS, and ELD equipment to transportation and fleet management solutions are many. Ranging from driver management to maintenance to asset tracking, the combination of tracking devices to software will ensure projects are delivered on time and in budget.

by Ryan Camacho
Axele provides an intelligent transportation management system for truckload carriers.

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