Fleet managers have to juggle ensuring efficient and cost-effective operations and dealing with common challenges intrinsic to fleet management.

Being proactive is always best as it allows them to deal with these issues before they become unmanageable.

Today, we will look at some of these challenges and viable solutions fleet managers can take advantage of.

5 Common Challenges Fleet Managers Face

1. Driver Shortage

Driver shortage was already a problem before it was exacerbated by the pandemic. Experts say the demand for freight and long-distance drivers will continue rising even as the supply is unable to keep up.

Recruiting new drivers is a challenge that comes with putting inexperienced drivers behind the wheel. The best thing fleet managers can do is provide incentives for younger drivers to join their company and then provide the required training themselves. While this is a risky investment as the drivers can leave, it can pay off in the long term.

2. Managing Driver Behavior

Driver behavior is directly tied to other fleet management challenges such as fuel consumption, vehicle maintenance, and safety. Aggressive driving, excessive idling, improper lane changes, and distractions when driving is all issues fleet managers have to deal with.

To eliminate this issue, managers have to find fact and data-driven solutions to show their drivers to ensure better results. One such solution is driver monitoring using various telematics tools. These include dash cams that record driver behavior.

The Azuga SafetyCam is a viable solution as it records what is happening on the road and inside the cabin. If any negative driver behaviors are detected and recorded, the manager can sit down with the driver to talk about them and find lasting solutions.

3. Rising Cost of Fuel

The rising cost of fuel is something fleet managers are dealing with around the world. Even the smallest fluctuations in fuel costs can lead to massive increases in operating costs, reducing these companies? cash flow.

While there is little managers can do about the cost of fuel, they can control how much of it their fleet consumes. Regular maintenance is a great way of improving fuel economy. Another viable solution is vehicle tracking. Telematics can help fleet managers realize areas of wastage which is a great first step to stopping it.

4. Environmental and Pollution Concerns

Transportation remains one of the biggest sources of pollution around the world. As more people get concerned about pollution and how it affects global warming and climate change, consumers are demanding that transportation businesses do their part.

Clean air standards are already in place and following them can help fleet managers contribute to positive change. Vehicle maintenance is also a viable solution as vehicles that run better are more efficient and thus less polluting.

Lastly, businesses can work with their service technicians to find additional ways to keep their emissions as low as possible.

5. Route Optimization

Route optimization is a challenge because fleet managers have to choose the best routes that lead to time and cost savings for the company and its drivers. Software solutions can help in this area.

Feel managers have to keep thinking of new solutions for the challenges their businesses face. Fortunately, viable solutions already exist, and it is only a matter of taking advantage of them.

Additionals: