{"id":9416,"date":"2021-01-22T10:43:28","date_gmt":"2021-01-22T09:43:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=9416"},"modified":"2021-01-22T10:43:28","modified_gmt":"2021-01-22T09:43:28","slug":"handling-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2021\/01\/22\/handling-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparation the Key to Handling Winter Weather"},"content":{"rendered":"

A key way that fleets can ensure that trucks are prepared for winter and drivers are able to get help if they need it, is to have a comprehensive maintenance partner.<\/strong> Photo: Ryder System<\/em><\/p>\n

When\u00a0Winter Storm Grayson blew through the Northeast<\/a>, bringing snow, winds and freezing temperatures HDT spoke with Ryder System Vice President of Maintenance Operations and Engineering Bill Dawson about how to deal with bad winter weather.<\/p>\n

While most of the impact from a winter storm will directly affect drivers, Dawson said that drivers are professionals, and many of the disruptions caused by a storm can be traced back to fleet preparedness.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last thing drivers want is to have an interruption because they\u2019re the ones stuck by the side of the road — they\u2019re a participant, not the root cause of disruptions,\u201d said Dawson. \u201cThe most common mistakes are made by not taking preventive measures that you need to take before winter arrives.\u201d<\/p>\n

All fleets should remember to prepare trucks for driving in difficult conditions by keeping trucks up to date on regularly scheduled maintenance and by keeping them prepped for cold conditions, such as by providing fuel that is treated and blended for low temperatures, said Dawson.<\/p>\n

For instance, Winter Strom Grayson<\/a> could bring temperatures as low as -40 degrees to parts of the U.S. and below zero temperatures up and down the entire East Coast. Diesel exhaust fluid can freeze at temperatures below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, even while a vehicle is idling, and low fuel tanks can trap condensation, which is prone to freezing, Dawson told HDT.<\/p>\n

Fleets should have a well-thought-out process for keeping trucks that are not in operation from freezing during extremely cold temperatures so they are ready to go when needed.<\/p>\n

Fleets also need to regularly keep drivers up to speed on training for winter driving, starting as early as September to discuss these topics with drivers. All drivers, including new drivers and drivers who are based in warmer climates that might be passing through winter weather, should have regular refreshers.<\/p>\n

But beyond all fleet preparedness tactics, drivers are the ones who will be faced with dangerous conditions from snow, cold, and high winds. And the most important thing a fleet can do is allow the driver to make the right decision for the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure they understand that they\u2019re the captain of the ship, that they are able to make the decision and are supported by the management of the organization,\u201d said Dawson. \u201cIf they don\u2019t feel that the operation is safe, then they don\u2019t need to complete that operation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not an easy thing to put in place because you run the risk of disrupting your supply chain, upsetting a customer \u2013 any number of things. But the truth is, anything less than that level of responsibility down at the driver level is asking for trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

For drivers, there are obvious\u00a0steps they can take to stay safer in winter:<\/p>\n