The latest guidance for fleet managers from Global Fleet Champions outlines the connected and autonomous technologies available in vehicles and explains how automated systems can help fleets manage work-related road risk. It also highlights potential pitfalls that fleet managers need to understand, before introducing them into their fleets.

Connected and autonomous vehicles – moving towards autonomy features advice from key industry players, including the Smart Mobility Living Lab (SMLL), a London-based testbed for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV). The SMLL provides manufacturers with a means to rapidly test, evaluate and identify the best ways to safely deliver CAV services to an urban population.

David Ward from Horiba-MIRA explains why fleet managers need to consider how automated technology will influence driver behaviour and how fleet managers should adapt their driver training programmes to reflect these changes. He explains that is essential for fleet managers introducing automated systems into their fleets to educate their drivers about what they can realistically expect from the technology and how to stay safe when driving.

Sarah Plumb, senior fleet officer at Brake, the road safety charity, said: “The rapid development of automated technology has been driven by the promise of safer vehicle performance, but fleet managers need to understand how this technology will help them manage work-related road risk.  

“This guidance report provides an overview of some of the latest developments in connected and autonomous vehicles, including how they are being trialled in real-world scenarios, and a summary of how they can be used to improve fleet safety.”