{"id":6015,"date":"2020-06-04T13:21:17","date_gmt":"2020-06-04T11:21:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=6015"},"modified":"2020-06-04T13:21:17","modified_gmt":"2020-06-04T11:21:17","slug":"fleet-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2020\/06\/04\/fleet-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Fleet Back on Track"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><b>Before deployment, schedule a mechanic to approve the vehicles, leaving enough time to properly inspect for road readiness.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">With much of America\u2019s trucking operations being grounded for the past several months during the COVID-19 outbreak, fleet managers (as well as the rest of the nation) are chomping at the bit to get back to work. But what does that look like in a world where trucks have been sitting idle for 90 days or more?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">A trucking fleet is designed to be used, and the fleet management software systems that have been installed to ensure efficiency, compliance, maintenance, and safety are built to mainly monitor a fleet that is in motion \u2014 not one that\u2019s been grounded. As we break out of our forced economic slowdown, fleets need to move forward with a fresh outlook and new set of compliance standards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">This redeployment of a stale fleet cannot be figured out \u201con the fly.\u201d Too much can go wrong on the road \u2014 that is, if the trucks even get that far. If vehicles are down for even a little longer than usual, mechanical issues can seep in. Just like having wear and tear from the road, trucks can have wear and tear from sitting in a lot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">With that in mind, here are three key strategies to getting your fleet back on track.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1. Attend to Potential Mechanical Issues<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">After sitting dormant for an extended period, each truck will be prone to a host of mechanical problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Before deployment, schedule a mobile or in-house mechanic to approve the vehicles, leaving enough time to properly inspect for road readiness. If you are unable to have a technician do so, plan to have vehicles scheduled for inspection by your regular shop to review the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tires: Gauge the pressure of all tires before deployment. Air can leak out while trucks sit because the pressure builds at fixed points on the tire. Keep portable air compressors handy in the vehicle yard.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Batteries: Test the condition of each one and their respective charge capacities. Make sure to have readily available jump-starters on hand.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Fuel: Check fuel levels and, if possible, the condition of the fuel. After several months, it\u2019s easy to lose track of who topped off and who didn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Brakes: Make sure all brakes are fully functioning before going back on the road. Even if they haven\u2019t been used, brake pads can deteriorate over time and brake calipers can freeze up from lack of use.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Suspension: Closely inspect all steering components to ensure the vehicle is handling properly. Short test drives are recommended for evaluation prior to heading out on a long haul.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Fluids: Check all fluid levels, including radiator, brake, steering and washer fluids. Excessive leaks should be apparent from vehicle sitting and may be a leading indicator of more serious troubles.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Third-party devices: If equipped with aftermarket mechanical (PTO, cranes, lifts, etc.) or electronic devices (cameras, GPS, etc.) these need to be checked for proper operation as well.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Without knowing where the problems lie within each vehicle, it is critical to conduct a thorough evaluation on every truck. This way, any failures can be addressed before it\u2019s too late.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Automation and recording technologies can be incredibly useful. A digitized maintenance process, portal, and schedule to determine which vehicles had required immediate attention prior to the shutdown is more likely to be accurate and easy to reference than a paper trail which has to be tracked down among a fleet team that\u2019s been sitting around for months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">2. Understand the New Compliance Landscape<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Once you\u2019ve determined your fleet is ready to go from a mechanical perspective, there are a series of regulations \u2014 including many that have been updated on account of the coronavirus pandemic \u2014 fleet managers need to understand. Being well-informed of the latest rules, as well as their exemptions and exceptions, is crucial to operating safely and efficiently, beyond avoiding compliance-related fines or violations.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Lawmakers, government agencies, and industry associations have issued guidance about everything from where to find food in a quarantine zone, remaining socially distant during roadside assistance, how to sanitize the cab, and wearing protective gear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Here are 10 key resource links for understanding the compliance landscape in our new era of COVID-19 and perhaps beyond:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.cvsaemergencydeclarations.org\/?country=USA&amp;state=ALL&amp;agency=ALL\" data-feathr-click-track=\"true\">North American emergency declarations<\/a> (exemptions and exceptions) broken down by federal and state governing bodies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Hours of service waivers and extensions as issued by the <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.trucking.org\/COVID19\/federal-declarations#HOS\" data-feathr-click-track=\"true\">FMCSA<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">If licensing has been disrupted by COVID-19, drivers may secure <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.trucking.org\/COVID19\/federal-declarations#CDL\" data-feathr-click-track=\"true\">waivers for their CDL and medical cards<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">The latest guidance on preventing <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/SLTC\/trucking_industry\/\" data-feathr-click-track=\"true\">occupational illness and injury from OSHA<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">CDC guidance on <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/media\/releases\/2020\/s0326-nyc-truck-driver-guidance.html\" data-feathr-click-track=\"true\">New York City and other hotspots<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Certain states are not required to train third parties in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic. <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.fmcsa.dot.gov\/emergency\/waiver-knowledge-test-training-certain-third-party-cdl-test-examiners-response-covid-19\" data-feathr-click-track=\"true\">This waiver<\/a> may apply to your team.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Some <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.fmcsa.dot.gov\/sites\/fmcsa.dot.gov\/files\/2020-04\/FMCSA%20Notice%20Enf%20Disc%20on%20SDLA%20DQs-Convictions%20Uploads%20-%20Apr%2017%202020.pdf\" data-feathr-click-track=\"true\">disqualifying events may not be applied<\/a> to drivers\u2019 records during the emergency period.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/116th-congress\/house-bill\/6201\" data-feathr-click-track=\"true\">This bill<\/a> aims to provide workers with paid sick leave, tax credits, and free COVID-19 testing; expanding food assistance and unemployment benefits; and increasing Medicaid funding.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">New out-of-service criteria for North American truckers has been issued by the <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.cvsa.org\/news-entry\/2020-oosc-in-effect\/\" data-feathr-click-track=\"true\">Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">These <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/files.constantcontact.com\/dbfea8d5301\/c981bed6-226c-40d3-91e7-25dc0db6d2a1.pdf\" data-feathr-click-track=\"true\">emergency waivers and extensions<\/a> are for trucker drivers with learner permits who are pursuing licensing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Staying informed about policies is important during this time of change. Many of the waivers are temporary, though, and will need to be renewed in June or the rules will revert to their pre-pandemic state. Make sure to keep checking back regularly with these resources as compliance codes are changing often on a federal level and varying within individual states.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">3. Bring Your Personnel Back Online Safely and Efficiently<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Since the machinery is only as good as the people controlling them, we\u2019ll also need to \u201creboot\u201d the staff \u2014 drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, etc. \u2014 to ensure they are refreshed and up to date on the latest operating procedures. This re-onboarding takes time and should be planned for long before redeployment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Take time to retrain drivers on policies and procedures, providing them with a quick, but mandatory, refresher on high-level items which are critical to your business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">With COVID-19, it is strongly advised that each company implement new safe practices for touchless delivery, if possible, to protect both your employees and your customers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Conduct a quick audit for all documents. Items that need to be in the vehicle(s) at all times may include the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Fuel card associated to proper vehicle(s)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Accident kit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Insurance documentation\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Registration paperwork<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Employee handbook<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vehicle operations manual<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">User manuals for third-party devices installed in the vehicle (ELD etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Masks and gloves<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Disinfectant wipes and spray<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Administrative staff should also refresh themselves on company policies and procedures when it comes to requirements due to accidents, vehicle tow away procedures, missing fuel cards, maintenance requirements, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">As a fleet manager, your personnel is your most precious cargo, and ensuring the team\u2019s safety and education is the most valuable form of compliance you can practice. Remember that they are working under extraordinary circumstances and be mindful of those pressures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Take the time to thank everyone for their continued effort, hard work and patience during these unprecedented times. Words of encouragement and thanks go a long way towards providing a great experience for the customer and employee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Now more than ever, your fleet and team need to be ready to roll. Not only is the economy depending on all the logistics services your trucks provide, but the safety component and new risks from being idle cannot be overstated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">The key to executing this very delicate and high-stakes re-entry is having systems and processes that are current and keep up with the ever-changing compliance requirements of this new normal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">About the Author<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wrapImageCMS alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/fleetimages.bobitstudios.com\/upload\/business-fleet\/content\/news\/press-shots\/teletrac\/oswaldo-flores-__-720x516-s.png\" alt=\"Oswaldo &quot;Ozzie&quot;\u00a0Flores is safety and\u00a0compliance product manager at Teletrac Navman. - Photo courtesy of Teletrac Navman.\" width=\"158\" height=\"237\" \/>Oswaldo &#8220;Ozzie&#8221;\u00a0Flores is safety and\u00a0compliance product manager at Teletrac Navman. Prior to his current position, he held fleet and compliance administrative management, fleet supervisory, sales, and business development roles with Pepsi Cola, Time Warner Cable, British Petroleum North America, and legacy supply chain services.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"posted-by\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessfleet.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.businessfleet.com\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/consultancy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>CUT COTS OF THE FLEET WITH OUR AUDIT PROGRAM<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/consultancy\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5377\" src=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/04\/nueva-ley-auditoria.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 858px) 100vw, 858px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/04\/nueva-ley-auditoria.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/04\/nueva-ley-auditoria-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/04\/nueva-ley-auditoria-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" alt=\"\" width=\"858\" height=\"572\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The audit is a key tool to know the overall status and provide the analysis, the assessment, the advice, the suggestions and the actions to take in order to cut costs and increase the efficiency and efficacy of the fleet. We propose the following fleet management audit.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/consultancy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>FLEET MANAGEMENT AUDIT<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before deployment, schedule a mechanic to approve the vehicles, leaving enough time to properly inspect for road readiness. With much of America\u2019s trucking operations being grounded for the past several months during the COVID-19 outbreak, fleet managers (as well as the rest of the nation) are chomping at the bit to get back to work&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6016,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[302],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6015"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6015"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6015\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6017,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6015\/revisions\/6017"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}