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IT systems are not Just Big Brother technology—they can offer
Page 50
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drivers benefits too, says Thales TelematIcs sales and marketing director Edward Belgeonne...
• To sound off about a road transport issue write to Patric Gunnar* (patric..cunnane* rbl.co.uk) or fax your views (up to 800 words) to Micky Clarke on 020 8852 8912.
ii Tphoeintloagsisctiocms paanndiersoaaudehmaurtlatgoeciondmubsattrythies problem
of of massive driver shortages. It is commonly quoted that there is an annual shortfall of around 47,000 drivers, and this figure is set to increase further with the introduction of the Working Time Directive.
The WTD is expected to reduce Britain's commercial driving capacity by up to 200 million hours—equivalent to about 80,000 full-time drivers. According to the Freight Transport Association, it will cause a 15-20% drop in productivity each month at an annual cost of,£40m to the industry.
With all this in mind, the industry is faced with the challenge of retaining its existing workforce while attracting a new generation of drivers. Operators are already being forced to pay up to126/hr for agency drivers—compared with the standard rate of about .£5.50/hr—so any further shortfall in available drivers could see operating costs spiral out of control.
Furthermore, companies will have to retain and attract driven while streamlining their operations to combat the predicted impac of the WTD.
If some reports are to be believed, drivers are leaving the industry in droves because of concerns about long hours, congestion and poor earnings. One report predicts that around 175,000 lorry drivers plan to quit within five years, while other research claims 35% of drivers will have left the industry by 2007.
On top of this, young people are not being attracted to the industry so companies are faced with having to amend their pay structure, career opportunities and training for HGV drivers to overcome the problem.
The WTD will go some way towards addressing the issue of Ion; hours, if not unsociable hours, but fleet operators must look at other ways to make the industry more attractive to existing drivers, to ensure they remain within the sector, and to young people who are choosing their career paths.
The introduction of sophisticated IT systems in the past decadE has enabled fleet operators to improve control over their fleets and achieve substantial operational efficiencies, Furthermore, recent developments in telematics, combining GPS and GSM technology, means companies can achieve real-time visibility of all mobile assets.
Such systems have often been labelled as 'Big Brother' technology which enables drivers to be closely monitored and represents yet another way companies can exert control over this mobile workforce. However, telematics fleet management systems aiso offer substantial driver benefits, and might help operators to overcome issues that are currently driving people out of the industry.
For example, improved routeing and scheduling can help drivers avoid traffic blackspots, and with the development of real-time information, driver conditions can be vastly improved through the avoidance of congestion.
The tracking function and the availabilit of panic buttons can also provide drivers with added protection against the increasing problem of hijacking, and can not only ensure personal safety, but also guarantee the safe return of both the vehicle and cargo.
It is even possible to prevent unauthorised access to a trailer by the USE of door alarms and CO2 detectors linked ti a telematics fleet management system, offering drivers a defence against problems such as illegal immigrants.
So while it is true that telematics systems can be used to monitor mobile workforces they also provide considerable protection to the drivers themselves. Information can be downloaded about road accidents, or a dispute over a delivery time might be deaf with by using historical journey data. Disagreements over overtime claims or driver hours can also be avoided.
Logistics and road haulage operators are faced with the challenge of improving driver conditions while facing significant increases in operating costs. Some of these costs may be passed on to customers, but what is clear is that the industry must make greater use of its physical assets, both trucks and drivers.
The use of technology, while not offering a complete solution, might go some way to achieving both improved driver conditions and operating efficiencies.