February 2008, Automotive Fleet - Feature
GPS Navigates PoolCorp in the Right Direction
By Grace Lauron
Increasing Fuel Efficiency
PoolCorp installed the first NetworkCar GPS devices in April 2005. With a fuel consumption of more than 3 million gallons annually, PoolCorp was continually looking for ways to increase fuel efficiency.
PoolCorp’s interests were in monitoring speed, vehicle location, engine diagnostics, idling, and improving efficiency and vehicle routing. Speeding and idling were already known to be gas-guzzling culprits, so GPS was tested out.
"We evaluated GPS companies based upon their financial strength, capabilities, and the cost of the solution. NetworkCar was a finalist," Huval said. "Ironically, our fleet management partner, PHH, was evaluating GPS partners at the same time. When we found out that PHH had selected NetworkCar, we felt confident in moving ahead with them," she added.
By integrating GPS and vehicle diagnostic data from the NetworkCar device with PHH accident, maintenance, and fuel data, the department knew it would provide several advantages.
"NetworkCar was the best fit for our needs, in terms of features, cost, and especially because of the potential integration with PHH’s systems," Huval said.
Getting More Than Expected
"Before we had the GPS device, we didn’t have a way to evaluate our performance in these areas. Having the diagnostic data on our trucks serves two important roles," Huval explained. PHH gets an early warning whenever the truck’s computer indicates a problem, so they call the truck operator with instructions to take the vehicle in for servicing. Because the warnings happen frequently, Huval said they can avoid major repairs. PHH’s maintenance technicians can also see the diagnostic data when the repair shop calls for authorization of repairs.
This way, "PHH can ‘keep the shop honest,’ knowing more about what’s actually wrong with the vehicle," Huval said.
In the vehicles equipped with the NetworkCar device, PoolCorp has seen a substantial improvement in both fuel consumption and maintenance costs. Fuel mpg improved 6.5 percent and maintenance expense dropped by 14.6 percent.
"We have been able to practically eliminate speeding, and we have a better understanding of how much our vehicles idle. We are working toward enforcing a policy there, which should further improve fuel consumption. We are also looking for additional ways to measure productivity and improve routing efficiency," Huval said.
Staying Out of Danger
The fleet department continuously monitors driving behavior and sends violations to the management team in a timely fashion.
"If drivers don’t get that feedback immediately, they begin to forget the device is installed," Huval said.
The fleet has seen a significant reduction in accident rates in the GPS-installed vehicles. Most accident/incidents reported in GPS-equipped vehicles are related to unsafe driving habits — "damaged while parked," "clearance," and "backing and parking" incidents.
According to Huval, vehicles with GPS reported 40-percent fewer accidents and 48-percent lower repair cost per incident. Seventy-five percent more accidents were recoverable, and there were no accidents involving injury.
"Because we’ve had fewer and less serious accidents, our overall accident-related expenses have been reduced," Huval said. Throughout the company, PoolCorp’s response to the early results produced with the GPS systems has been positive.
"The general and regional managers are really digging into the information now to hold their branches more accountable for their actions," Huval said. Dri- vers have also responded positively, she added.