Essential workers, especially delivery drivers, are finding themselves in a tough situation amid the pandemic.
Not only have large-scale panic buying habits pushed them to the economy frontline, but also the nation’s fragile transport system has made it difficult to get to destinations on time.
With experts predicting social distancing to last for another six to 12 months, businesses must brace themselves for another period of heightened workload. It is essential they keep their number one asset – their people – in good hands, especially during a pandemic. So, what can they do to ensure drivers stay safe, arrive on time, while keeping customers happy?
Digitise the route
As workload increases, it is vital that businesses have an updated, agile system to distribute jobs with high accuracy and efficiency. While manual route-planning can get most of the job done, the process of collecting data, segregating tasks and searching locations is time consuming and prone to human error. Moreover, the work quality is highly dependent on the employee who handles it, which can lose consistency over time.
Increasingly, businesses are moving from home-grown planning tools to digitised solutions. As a software-as-a-solution, digitised solutions process millions of data probes and hundreds and thousands of messages. This data is then used to flag traffic events, pinpoint faster routes and generate highly accurate ETAs.
A digitised solution simplifies the way businesses manage vehicles and drivers on the road, while allowing people to focus on core business activities. Think of a smartphone map or a GPS software, but with the extra benefit of personalised, real-time route planning solutions.
Improve driver behaviour
Tracking driver behaviours on the road is difficult, let alone improving them. After all, drivers’ objectives are simple and clear – complete each job as quickly as possible. This can mean safety is sometimes less of a priority.
It is down to the employer to make sure employees are safe before they get started on any job. Gamification is a great way to achieve this. Similar to a reward and recognition program, gamification incentivises employees who practice safe, responsible driving, whether it is reducing speed at a turn or braking less aggressively. At the end of the day, the top performing drivers may even receive a small bonus.
The benefits of this are twofold. Not only can businesses constantly monitor and improve safety driving procedures, but also drivers can feel motivated and entertained while they are on the road. After all, an employee who feels appreciated by the business will only work to improve.
Green the fleet
COVID-19 has slashed market activities on a large scale, but the transport and delivery industry remains prosperous. While essential workers are highly valued and relied on by the wider public, businesses are scratching their heads about how they can cut costs on fuel consumption.
One way to do this is by implementing eco-driving. While we are yet to welcome the era of electric vehicles, businesses can stay ahead of the game by adopting a digitised system designated to monitor fuel consumption. A system like this can work on every vehicle and trip, and alert humans when a vehicle shows signs of malfunction. This evaluation can be used to further improve driving behaviour and fuel usage. Overtime, businesses will find themselves saving costs on fuel and keeping up with vehicle system replacements. The external benefits of carbon footprint reduction also helps to build a positive company image.
Why digitise ?
By implementing the latest in fleet management technology, such as those provided by Webfleet Solutions, businesses can leverage the culture of reward and recognition, and revolutionise the way in which their vehicles are driven. With better awareness and the right tools in place, employers can work to protect vehicles from unnecessary wear and tear and high fuel consumption, save costs and improve driver health and safety.
*Christopher Chisman-Duffy is the director at Webfleet Solutions
