[Infographics]How Can Telematics Data Improve Freight Transportation

For tech professionals working in the transportation and logistics sector, improving efficiency is the primary objective — everything needs to be done with the goal of making deliveries faster and cheaper. If you’re not using a telematics system to boost the performance of your company’s fleet, you should be. This technology can be the most important step toward a more efficient operation because it creates a direct connection between vehicles on the road and your central office.

Telematics works by attaching connected devices to your vehicles and/or trailers. As freight is carried from point to point, these devices continually transmit information that is collected by a central server. This data can include everything from how fast drivers are traveling, their precise location via GPS and even how much idle time each truck experiences.

This data helps improve efficiency in a number of ways. For example, managers can use the information to identify drivers who exhibit behaviors that waste fuel, such as sitting with the engine running for too long. It also provides updates about when maintenance is necessary so that downtime caused by breakdowns can be minimized. Having these devices installed in your trucks also helps prevent losses due to theft because you can use GPS tracking to locate and recover stolen goods. Route planning becomes much more streamlined, as slowdowns and traffic jams can be spotted ahead of time and alternate routes can be communicated to the driver before the problem is encountered.

Successful freight transportation depends on making sure you have the most direct route and the most cost-effective operations. Installing telematics technology in your fleet is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure it’s working as well as it can.

To learn more about how telematics can improve your operations and make your company more successful, take a look at the accompanying resource.