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SEARCHMENUSEARCHDo you think you are doing a good job? Do you believe that if you continue to perform to “acceptable government standards” that your job will be there tomorrow? These are hard times, and as every day passes the taxpayers of this country are becoming angrier at what they see as an increasingly incompetent and costly government. For the first time in history, public sector pay is out performing that of the private sector
Read More →The EPA mandated the use of ULSD, effective June 1, 2006. Since then, there has been an uptick in reports of fuel-related problems, such as corrosion in storage tanks and dispensing systems, onboard vehicle fuel tank corrosion, clogged filters, and seal and gasket deterioration. What has the industry scratching its "collective head" is the chronological correlation between the uptick in fuel-related problems and the introduction of ULSD. Is there a connection between the two?
Read More →Multiple trends are converging that will ultimately reconfigure the future composition of light-duty fleet assets. A new era of police packages will commence with the 2012-MY.
Read More →Today's fleet managers are increasingly scrutinized for every action and for every dollar spent. In this environment, fleet managers are constantly second-guessed by citizens, politicians, and user departments on the efficacy of their policies. This second-guessing is primarily due to misperceptions. Most fleets have not been successful in changing misperceptions because this type of second-guessing continues to be a perennial issue. One exception is the City of Troy, Michigan.
Read More →Under OSHA regulations, an employer must provide a workplace (which includes work vehicles) free from recognized hazards. Workers' Comp claims resulting from use of inappropriately spec'ed add-on equipment is on the rise. Poor equipment spec'ing can result in expensive litigation. Ergonomics is also an accident avoidance issue. Poor ergonomics reduces driver comfort, increasing fatigue, a key contributor to preventable accidents.
Read More →Fleet maintenance costs are trending upward compared to prior years. The key reason is the higher frequency of repairs on higher-mileage units as a result of the widespread deferment of equipment replacement by many government fleets. In a true case of "pay me now or pay me later," fleet managers face the challenge of how to hold maintenance costs down while operating an aging fleet.
Read More →DEF is an acronym for diesel exhaust fluid required for diesel engines incorporating selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. As of Jan.1, DEF is now required for SCR-diesels to meet 2010 EPA emission standards. A growing number of public sector fleets are dispensing DEF at on-site fueling facilities.
Read More →The budgetary meltdowns in public sector America have caused significant turmoil for fleet operations. Due to these fiscal shortfalls, the level of scrutiny of internal costs is at a level never seen before, even for fleets with reputations for cost-efficiency and high service levels. Fleet managers are constantly second-guessed on the efficacy of their policies and under tremendous pressure to maintain preexisting service levels despite slashed budgets and reduced staffing.
Read More →Multi-tasking while driving has become common and is a major factor in driver distraction. Drivers are multi-tasking because they are required to do more in the same allotted time. Drivers use "windshield time" to talk on the phone, catch-up on e-mails, scan documents while driving to meetings, and eat when running behind schedule.
Read More →The best way to control fleet costs is before the money has ever been spent. Likewise, promising good customer service is not the same as delivering it. When it comes to communicating fleet policy compliance with users and fostering a customer service mindset with your staff, it is important to consistently re-communicate these goals. The secret to success is to communicate and then re-communicate on a regular basis.
Read More →At one time, there was anonymity in being a public sector fleet manager - no more. All this changed with increased fuel costs, emission-reduction mandates, liability issues, new regulations, and escalated productivity demands, along with ongoing personnel, vehicle, and maintenance costs. Computerization of fleet data has created easy accessibility to this data, which facilitates scrutiny of fleet operations.
Read More →A significant category of unnecessary fleet cost is equipment damage caused by user abuse or neglect. Abuse is by far the most expensive form of equipment failure. Fleet managers tell me there is no limit to the ways equipment can be abused. Abuse can range from damage caused from fluid levels being low, missing PM intervals, driving on underinflated tires to extreme situations of jumping curbs or scraping the sides of buildings. These represent significant costs.
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