Smart ways for Irish transport companies to boost operations

Transportation plays a vital role in the global economy. According to Eurostat, the transport sector is not only significant to European businesses and worldwide supply chains but also to passengers. The sector accounts for approximately 5% of the EU’s gross domestic product and provides employment to over 10 million individuals. (1)

However, this industry is also responsible for 25% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions and therefore has to become cleaner, greener and smarter (2) if it is to meet the planned goal, which is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and for Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 (3).

The transportation sector is now faced with the significant challenge of decarbonising while at the same time ensuring that businesses stay competitive within this new zero-emission framework. Major changes need to be undertaken within the fleet itself and in the freight transport company’s culture. New strategies need to be thought out so that the company can be effectively positioned in the market and prepare for future developments.

Companies often have to navigate challenging daily routines that require:

• optimising safe and efficient routes to avoid driving extra miles
• maintaining vehicles properly
• fostering a culture of fuel efficiency
• promoting safe driving practices
• delivering innovative and outstanding customer service
• ensuring that daily operations run smoothly
• and supporting drivers remotely to prioritise their safety.

Switching to a sustainable transport model is even easier when you can enlist the help of one of the best allies that this sector has, namely fleet management technology.

Here are some key insights to support this new transport paradigm:

Strategy #1: 360º fleet visibility to improve driver safety and compliance

Having full visibility of the fleet is essential. It enables the freight transport company to prioritise the safety of the equipment and to monitor the development of daily operations. With accurate ETAs, you’re also able to meet the needs of customers more effectively.

In the freight transport sector, it’s not unusual for long distances to be involved, which means the risk of accidents could be greater and it may be harder to stick to tachograph regulations (driving time as well as rest periods). One of the greatest dangers for truck drivers is driver fatigue.

According to the Road Safety Observatory, driver fatigue is a factor in about 10 to 20% of road accidents (4) and is associated with a 7% increase in the risk of collisions (5).

In this context, by using a sophisticated fleet management solution, it enables near real-time monitoring of team activities on a live map, ensuring that operations are proceeding smoothly.

It also helps to control drivers’ driving times and breaks remotely to help them stay within safe and compliant parameters. While the truck drivers are concentrating on their journeys, the solution can remotely monitor whether they are complying with the driving and rest times and can remind them when they should take a break or slow down, among other things.

Having full visibility of the fleet enables us to monitor whether a truck arrived safely at a customer’s location, its presence at the customer’s unloading port, how long it stays on the premises as well as when the operation is complete, which is signalled by the customer signing off on the service they’ve received.

Additionally, fleets can be equipped with AI dashcams, which use artificial intelligence to monitor driver activity by watching what is happening on the road and detecting distracted driving almost instantly. Moreover, in case of accidents or fraudulent claims, the video footage can serve as a reliable record to safeguard both the driver and the company.

All of this improves fleet safety and encourages better operation management, allowing processes to be analysed and continuously improved.

Download the eBrief Advanced Fleet Management technology for General Freight and learn more about how businesses benefit from these integrated advanced solutions.

Strategy #2: Optimising routes to maximise productivity every workday

Advanced and robust route planning software can identify cost-effective, safe, and optimal routes, reducing unnecessary travel and uncovering new ways to boost daily efficiency based on current resources. 

The route planner not only saves time creating routes for your freight transport company that align with your business needs, but can also find the best way for your drivers to get from one job to the next. This can help boost productivity, streamline dispatching, improve customer satisfaction and increase worker efficiency.

Advanced fleet management solutions can be a game changer for businesses when it comes to route optimisation. According to the latest Fleet Technology Trends survey in Europe 2024, 65% of GPS fleet management users in the general freight industry have improved routing which not only helps avoid extra mileage, but also reduces fuel consumption. 

Download the eBrief Advanced Fleet Management technology for General Freight and learn more about how this tech can be a game-changer in a company’s key areas.

Insight #3: Eco-driving strategies enhance fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions

One of a fleet manager’s main objectives is to reduce their fleet vehicles’ fuel consumption and to improve the company’s economy and savings.

Eco-driving is a safer form of driving that has the potential to reduce fuel consumption as well as the amount of greenhouse gas emissions being released into the atmosphere.

Findings from the Transport Health and Environment Pan-European Programme have revealed that eco-driving programs throughout Europe demonstrate that drivers of cars, trucks, and buses can achieve fuel savings of up to 20% by adopting an energy-efficient driving style. In certain instances, these savings can exceed 30%. (6)

Further research from the International Transport Forum suggests that promoting smoother driving styles could decrease CO2 emissions by as much as 15%. However, the effectiveness of these measures tends to diminish over time without ongoing training. (7)

In this sense, advanced fleet management solutions can be a great ally to boost eco-driving techniques, monitoring driver behaviour and enabling you to take action if bad driving is detected (speeding, harsh acceleration, harsh braking, harsh cornering). The positive results achieved by companies that have implemented advanced GPS fleet management solutions speak by themselves.

According to the latest Fleet Technology Trends survey in Europe 2024, 59% of GPS fleet management users in the general freight industry have reduced fuel consumption, 45% have reduced CO2 emissions and 45% have improved sustainability. 

General freight companies are adopting more eco-efficient driving practices aimed at reducing emissions and their carbon footprint. By implementing medium- to long-term strategies, these companies stand to gain significant benefits not only when it comes to their impact on the environment, but also safety enhancement, reduced fuel consumption, and a better customer reputation.

How goods will be transported in the future

General freight companies in Europe have a bright future ahead of them, driven by increasing demand. The industry faces numerous changes, including regulatory mandates, adopting electric vehicles, and reducing emissions. Therefore, preparing for these upcoming challenges is crucial to maintain competitiveness and ensure your company thrives.

Learn more about the benefits that your general freight company can enjoy after implementing an advanced fleet management solution.

Sources EU: 

• (1) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/15216629/18384997/KS-HE-23-001-EN-N.pdf/65eb90bc-4856-f6a5-b12f-cf87854587f7?version=2.0&t=1706252952825 
• (2)https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/climate-strategies-targets/2030-climate-targets_en
• (3)https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/climate-strategies-targets/2030-climate-targets_en
• (4-5)https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/european-road-safety-observatory/statistics-and-analysis-archive/fatigue/fatigue_en#:~:text=About%20half%20of%20professional%20drivers,associated%20with%20increased%20crash%20risk.
• (6)https://www.odyssee-mure.eu/publications/policy-brief/eco-driving-fuel-reduction.html#:~:text=The%20measurable%20effects%20of%20eco,an%20energy%20efficient%20driving%20style.
• (7)(source:https://environment.transportation.org/teri-idea/promoting-eco-driving-to-reduce-ghg-emissions/