Days are getting shorter and temperatures are dropping, but the number of construction jobs doesn’t falter. Even with the construction industry’s typical winter slowdown—due mostly to frozen ground and additional fuel costs—contractor work continues, and that means teams and vehicles are on the road, sometimes in extreme weather. Because of this, it is increasingly important for managers to prepare for winter early, so when rain and snow hits, jobs can continue and crews remain safe.
This is where advanced fleet management software can help. Fleet managers can use GPS location data to monitor vehicles and assets in near real time, keep up-to-date on traffic and weather conditions, and deploy alerts as needed to keep their drivers safe.
Help protect drivers and vehicles before winter arrives
Winter brings beautiful snowscapes, but also dangerous road conditions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 17% of all vehicle crashes occur during the winter. This should serve as an important reminder that even the best drivers face conditions that put their safety at risk. With fleet management software, managers can get an early start on remediating risky driving behavior by leveraging the platform’s data on driver performance, such as harsh braking, harsh acceleration, excessive speeding, speeding versus the posted speed limit and seat belt use in vehicles to coach drivers.
Another way managers can prepare for winter weather is by monitoring and getting ahead of the maintenance of each vehicle. Fleet management technology can monitor fuel usage and mileage, going beyond manual checks to brakes, batteries and tires. This data can indicate how long a vehicle has been in service and if maintenance is coming up. For a fleet manager, this historical data can provide an action plan to prepare the fleet and team in the lead up to more extreme weather.
Help keep the team safer during winter weather
Fleet management technology provides empirical data that empowers managers to proactively prepare drivers and the business for the winter, and it can also be a manager’s first line of defense when winter weather is imminent. A fleet management platform not only leverages GPS tracking for the near real-time location of a company’s vehicles and assets, but it also has road and weather overlays on the same map showing the location of the fleet.
When a storm hits a community, a fleet manager can use the platform to identify which teams and vehicles will be impacted and then use this information to reroute and dispatch appropriately. In extreme circumstances, a fleet manager can help drivers navigate the roads when dangerous weather hits, so they can focus on the road and getting to safety.
Help communities recover after a winter storm hits
One of the unique responsibilities construction companies can have is participating in the recovery and restoration efforts of our communities after a storm or bad weather. Interestingly, the location data provided through fleet management technology is extremely useful when a construction company is working with FEMA and other public safety organizations to provide aid and assistance. With a central map that encompasses the location of every deployed vehicle and asset, fleet managers can save coordination time and even confirm that help and/or assistance is in progress. Moreover, some fleet management platforms have open source APIs so that location data can be shared directly with first responders when coordinated efforts are needed.
It can be a stressful process preparing the business, fleet and crews for the winter. With data on driving behavior and vehicle history to prepare before winter strikes, advanced tracking technology to help keep teams and vehicles safe when inclement weather ultimately hits, and the ability to help your community recovery afterwards, fleet management software can help ready your business—wind, snow, sleet or shine.
