Emerging Strategies for Safer Vehicle Operations
In facilities management, safety extends beyond the walls of our buildings. Week two of National Safety Month gives us an opportunity to consider new ways FM leaders are helping teams stay safe on the roads.
As part of our ongoing commitment to safety, UG2 is constantly evaluating industry best practices. Here are four technology enhancements that are gaining attention as decision-makers seek innovative ways to improve driver awareness and overall fleet safety.
Tailored Training, Safer Drivers
Like professional athletes watching game tape to refine their performance, video telematics can help drivers improve their on-road performance.
In the past, organizations might have tracked vehicle telematics, including speed, braking, acceleration, seatbelt usage, and more. Now, with interior and exterior cameras, organizations have much more granular data on their fleets and individual drivers. This level of data enables you to provide driver scorecards and tailor ongoing training for each driver.
Beyond supporting safer driving, video telematics can also help prevent breakdowns, maximize fuel efficiency, and ensure better maintenance schedules.
Standardizing for Safety
The majority of vehicles in the facilities management industry have multiple drivers each day, and drivers might find themselves operating different vehicles at different times. Standardizing fleet vehicles allows drivers to build familiarity, no matter which vehicle they step into. When a driver is familiar with the vehicle, it increases the safety of the driver and everyone on the road. The driver is not distracted by having to make adjustments on the fly and can master one vehicle type versus having to train across several.
While not every fleet has the same make and model of vehicles, you can standardize vehicle contents (e.g., tools, supplies) and the locations of equipment inside vehicles. This helps save time and frustration as drivers can confidently find the right tools in the right place.
Standardization of fleets also streamlines preventive maintenance schedules, resulting in less downtime and faster turnaround. When vehicles require the same parts, you can better have the inventory you need on hand.
Treating Every Vehicle as a Vehicle
At many facilities, the primary vehicle used on a daily basis isn’t a sedan, a van, or a truck. It is a golf cart. And while these vehicles seem easy to drive, they handle differently from regular vehicles and present their own set of challenges. Operators need to treat golf carts like any other vehicle and must get training to emphasize the appropriate use of lights, turn signals, horn, and brakes.
Since golf carts are often used on pedestrian paths, drivers need a heightened awareness of pedestrians and of how to safely navigate shared spaces. Operators and passengers should be required to use available seatbelts and keep their limbs inside the cart.
Whether site-based or roadway approved, golf carts require inspections just like any other vehicle in your fleet. Walking the actual routes and understanding the unique hazards these vehicles face can help keep them running smoothly, while preventive maintenance—including checking tires, brakes, and batteries—can prevent untimely breakdowns.
Part of why UG2 consistently earns superior safety ratings is because we reinforce safety through ongoing audits and training. At the heart of our fleet-wide initiatives is the same goal: making sure every driver, passenger, and pedestrian gets where they are going safely.