Author: Simon Pavey

AI capability has seen dramatic growth in the last year, and it shows no sign of slowing down. With generative AI such as GPT-4 and Google’s Gemini Ultra hitting the market, and many major software companies integrating AI directly into their products, what does this mean for fleets?

While we can expect to see AI advancements develop the way fleet technologies work, the use of AI in vital solutions such as telematics and route tracking is actually nothing new. In fact, AI functionality has been integral to fleet software packages for years. That said, we might see the role of AI ramp up amidst all the hype and newer technologies.

That’s why we’ve put together this article to help you, as a fleet operator or professional, understand how AI works to support fleet management solutions.

Artificial Intelligence vs Machine Learning

When it comes to fleet software and the application of AI within it, it is important to understand exactly what type of AI is at play. ‘Artificial intelligence’ is an umbrella term for the algorithms, strategies and techniques used to increase the human-like intelligence of machines. ‘Machine learning’, however, is a branch of AI and is the type of AI we see most often in fleet solutions today.

Machine learning is suited to applications that require adaptive solution generation for complex tasks. The goal of machine learning is to use human-like problem-solving to generate solutions at a rate faster than a human could. This streamlines processes so that businesses can save time on tedious tasks that can be handled quickly by machine-learning AI.

How AI Impacts Fleet Data Analysis

Data analysis is key to fleet optimisation and historically this data would have been collected and analysed manually to identify patterns, anomalies and pain points. Time-consuming and costly, manual data analysis is also subject to increased human error, so the implementation of AI data analysis and automation was a welcome addition (and natural progression) for fleet solutions.

The most prevalent piece of fleet technology in recent years has been telematics systems, and AI data analysis is vital in helping facilitate route tracking and driver behaviour to fuel usage and maintenance scheduling. For almost all aspects of fleet telematics and solutions, AI can be utilised to reduce error and identify patterns quicker and to a higher level of accuracy and detail than can be achieved manually.

For route tracking and optimisation, this might look like traffic and weather analysis, and rerouting to minimise idling time and fuel-intensive routes. Adding driver ID to this system means that AI-enhanced systems can also analyse driver behaviour to ensure vehicle usage is optimal, and optimised routes are adhered to on a driver-to-driver basis.

Predictive Maintenance with AI

Maintenance is always of the utmost importance for managing a safe and efficient fleet, but the larger the fleet, the harder it becomes to ensure that all vehicles are maintained and serviced and suitable intervals. The integration of AI into maintenance and servicing tools like MyService.Expert means that fleet managers don’t have to grapple with a vast number of vehicle servicing schedules, which is particularly useful for larger fleets with a variety of vehicle types. These tools can assist with the scheduling and booking of fleet servicing and maintenance appointments.

Additionally, the use of AI for predictive maintenance means that fleet solutions can flag vehicles at risk of breakdown or incident. For example, utilising vehicles sensors and analysing driving behaviours such as harsh breaking can flag to an AI system that brake pads and discs are wearing at a faster rate than average and identify the vehicle is in need of servicing before damage escalates. This preventative rather than reactive approach not only reduces the risk of a road incident but also means less downtime for a vehicle that has become damaged to the point of being unsafe for use – saving time and money for businesses.

Driver Monitoring with AI

Driver monitoring has been a point of contention in the past, with some drivers apprehensive about surveillance in vehicles. Despite this, driver monitoring and tracking is now essential for many fleets that want to optimise driver capability, amplify safety, and demonstrate dedication to both in line with industry standards and expectations. AI only serves to improve the quality of this behaviour monitoring, and the insights it provides should also help to provide drivers with a smoother and more painless experience on the vehicle management front.

In some driver monitoring systems, AI can be used to track driver behaviour in the cabin including drowsiness or aggressive behaviour. As driver behaviour can have serious implications for safety and for business reputation, tracking this activity can help both in the immediate by flagging when drivers need to rest, for example, or by identifying drivers who could benefit from intervention and/or training.

For long-haul drivers, this technology can be massively beneficial. Drowsiness is a significant risk for long-haul drivers and puts both them and others on the road at risk. Utilising driver monitoring AI and facial tracking can help to ensure that drivers rest when necessary and in line with driving hour regulations.

Evolution of Fleet AI

While machine learning is not new in the sphere of fleet solutions, it’s evident that significant developments are being made and its application in fleet software and devices will continue to evolve. For fleet managers, there is a great opportunity to tap into developing software and utilise AI in all its forms to streamline fleet operations, improve safety, and reduce administrative burden.

Fleet Solutions from Fuel Card Services

Leading fleet solutions already tap into the great benefits of AI and machine learning to support streamlined fleet management, and when building a personalised suite of fleet tools, the potential is vast.

Tele-Gence is an intelligent and customisable fleet telematics system that you can shape around your fleet requirements. When combined with smart tools like MileageCount and Fleet Check for mileage tracking and fleet management you can tap into a uniquely intelligent fleet suite that saves you time and money.

If you’d like to learn more about the fleet solutions available through Fuel Card Services or are interested in finding out more about how machine learning works in these tools, get in touch with our experts today.

In October 2020, it became compulsory for HGVs to comply with the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) in order to drive in the Greater London area. The DVS rates drivers’ ability to clearly see and be aware of their surroundings.

However, what if one of your vehicles gets a DVS rating of two stars or lower? How do you continue to operate in London without replacing your entire fleet of vehicles with ones that comply with the standard?

What is the Direct Vision Standard?

The DVS is in place to protect other road users by minimising the number blind spots in HGVs and had been a major part of the Mayor of London’s Vision Zero for London plan, which aims to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from London’s transport network. There were 125 deaths on London’s roads in 2019 – a 12% increase from the previous year.

It is a permit that HGV drivers need to obtain before operating in the Greater London area. This permit is granted when the vehicle is proven to comply with the required safety standards.

How does the DVS star rating work?

A HGV with a rating of three to five stars is currently deemed safe enough to drive in Greater London. If your vehicle is rated between one and five, you can apply for a permit on the Transport For London website without the need to submit any further information.

If your vehicle receives a zero, one or two star rating, this means it is not DVS compliant. Steps will have to be taken to ensure that the vehicle is permitted to be driven in Greater London. Otherwise, you will not be granted this compulsory permit.

How do you apply for a DVS permit?

The application process for the permit can be done through the Transport for London website. You’ll need the following information to apply for the permit:

• Operator and contact details (this could be the business that owns the vehicle).
• Confirmation of your vehicle’s DVS star rating from the manufacturer.
• If needed, certification of a zero-star rating.

More information can be found on the TfL website, and the requirements could change depending on your vehicle.

Safe System measures

If your vehicle gets a DVS below the required rating, then action must be taken. The issues that caused your vehicle to be rated so low can be amended by fitting a Safe System.

A Safe System is a series of pieces of hardware that can be fitted to your vehicle after the point of manufacturing. This means that they can be installed to any vehicle, regardless of make and model, and regardless of how it was manufactured. Obviously, this is great news for owners of zero star vehicles. If the Safe System measures weren’t recognised by the Direct Vision Standard, there would be no way for the vehicle to operate in Greater London.

According to the Transport For London website, the following safety equipment must be installed to zero star vehicles:

Class V and VI Mirrors

These mirrors need to be fitted to reduce blind spots. The Class V mirror should be fitted to the nearside, and gives the driver a view of the blind spots on the side of the vehicle.

The Class VI is fitted to the front. With HGVs being so tall, drivers can’t always see what is directly in front of them. This mirror, often referred to as a “Cyclops”, is fitted to the front of the cab. It gives drivers a view of the space ahead of them, that they can’t always see.

These mirrors give a huge increase of awareness and could save the lives of pedestrians and cyclist who are in close proximity to the HGV.

A fully operational camera monitoring system

A camera system that feeds to a monitor inside the cab is another step towards eliminating blind spots. It is possible to get a 360° system. This gives the driver a complete view of the outside of their HGV on one screen. This effectively removes all blind spots, especially when combined with the extra mirrors for extra safety and security.

 A sensor system with driver alerts

Proximity sensors are a great way to improve driver awareness. When attached to the side of the vehicle, they will alert the driver when a pedestrian or cyclist is moving alongside the vehicle. This alert will prompt the driver to check their mirrors and look at the monitor. Whilst, of course, drivers should check their mirrors regularly, this extra prompt from the sensors might save someone’s life.

An audible vehicle manoeuvring warning

When a HGV turns left, it can be risky as the driver sits on the right. Systems can be put in place so that, when the driver indicates left, an audible alert will play to notify others. You’ll have probably heard an example of this. Many of you will have been woken up to the sound of “warning – vehicle reversing” from a bin lorry. It is recommended that the audible warning be a combination of speech and white noise. This means that anyone with hearing issues should still be alerted, even if the speech is unintelligible.

In congested areas, this greatly improves safety around HGVs. Whilst it is important to make sure the driver is alert at all times, assuring that nearby pedestrians, drivers and cyclists are also aware of the vehicle can save lives.

Warning signage

If you’ve ever driven behind a HGV, you’ll be familiar with such signage. “Blind Spot – Take Care” or “If You Can’t See My Mirrors, I Can’t See You!” are amongst the typical warning signs placed on the back of HGVs.

These signs simply remind other road users of the dangers of driving near a HGV. As a result, they drive more carefully, and stay alert to the fact that they should stay out of the driver’s blind spots.

Side-underrun protection

Otherwise known as bicycle catchers, these contraptions are fitted to both sides of the HGV. They are designed to stop cyclists from being dragged beneath the vehicle during an accident. 36% of accidents between HGVs and cyclists result in fatality. This figure could be massively reduced if all HGVs are fitted with side-underrun protection.

DVS update for October 2024

As of October 28^th 2024, the requirements for the Direct Vision Standard are changing to require HGVs of 12 tonnes or more to have a DVS rating of three stars or have a Progressive Safe System fitted, in order to drive in the Greater London area.

This means that HGVs with a rating of zero, one or two stars will have their permit expire at midnight on October 27^th, and to continue operating in Greater London and avoid penalty should have a Progressive Safe System fitted before this date.

You can find further details of the Progressive Safe System on the TFL website.

Why do we need the Direct Vision Standard?

The DVS is just one part of the Vision Zero for London initiative. This is a series of goals set out by the Mayor of London, which are in turn part of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.

The Mayor’s Transport Strategy has set ambitious goals. One of them is that, by 2041, nobody using London’s transport network will be killed or seriously injured.

To eliminate these deaths, the roads need to be made safer. Part of the problem is that many HGVs (especially older models) are not designed with optimal vision in mind. With the driver sitting very high up with many blind spots, they often can’t see what is directly in front of beside them. In a congested area such as Greater London, the dangers this problem presents cannot be overstated.

The DVS will reconcile this issue by demanding that changes be made to vehicles with a zero, one or two star rating. These changes will reduces the number of accidents that are caused by lack of driver awareness

How else can you improve HGV safety in London and beyond?

Another way to make HGVs safer for all road users is to install telematics in your vehicles. The technology allows you to keep track of your drivers’ habits.

For example, you might notice through telematics that one of your drivers is prone to aggressive breaking, sharp turning and consistent speeding. Obviously, if you notice this, you know that this driver is putting themselves and others in danger.

With this knowledge, you can encourage the driver to amend these habits. The routes they drive will be much safer as a result.

Get in touch with the Tele-Gence team today to learn more about what telematics can do for your fleet. As well as driver monitoring, your Tele-Gence account can sync seamlessly with your fuel card account. Plus, the technology offers a great deal of opportunity for financial saving. Tele-Gence also offer cameras to reduce blind spots, helping you take steps towards DVS compliance.

Fuel efficient driving is all about taking or omitting actions in order to optimise your vehicle’s fuel usage and keep expenditures down.

With fuel prices fluctuating massively over the last few years, optimising fuel usage is becoming an increasingly important consideration that fleet managers must make in order to remain competitive. That’s why we’ve pulled together some key tips and tricks to help facilitate this.

Implementing the majority of the techniques we’ll discuss in this article falls upon the driver, however fleet managers have a responsibility to support drivers in implementing these tactics, and also to ensure that drivers are equipped with the latest knowledge on how to be fuel efficient.

Which driving techniques can help you save fuel?

There are a number of tricks that can be used to maximise fuel efficiency and cut back on fuel costs for your fleet.

1. Focus on vehicle maintenance

Proper vehicle maintenance is the first step that should be taken to ensure efficient fuel consumption and should always be a priority. By ensuring the vehicles in a fleet are well-looked after, and properly and regularly checked, vehicles will run better and consume less fuel.

Things to keep a regular eye on:

• Tyres – pressure, damage, valve caps.
• Fuel tank – fuel leaks from/around the tank, cap security.
• Bodywork – any loose, torn, or protruding panels or bodywork.
• Start-up – any unusual mechanical noises, or smoke.
• Moving off – steering pulling, dragging breaks, tracking issues.

Regularly checking these factors and keeping an eye out for changes in functionality will keep vehicles running smoothly and allow for issues to be rectified swiftly. Ultimately, well maintained vehicles will drive more efficiently while also proving less likely to result in expensive repair bills that can emerge from a long-term lack of attention.

2. Keep tyres properly inflated

Having tyres inflated to the appropriate pressure will have a positive impact on fuel consumption. Underinflated tyres, for instance, can cause your car to drag and waste fuel. In fact, for every 1% decreases in tyre pressure, fuel economy decreases by 0.3%.

3. Only carry necessary weight

It’s no secret that the heavier a vehicle is, the slower it will accelerate – and the harder it will have to work to maintain speed. For this reason, keeping vehicle weight to the necessary minimum will help fleet vehicles get from A to B with the most efficient use of fuel.

4. Avoid harsh breaking

Harsh breaking makes for inefficient fuel usage for a number of reasons. Braking hard brings you down to speeds that require the lower gear much faster, and these are more taxing on your fuel tank. Post braking, accelerating is much more efficient if you haven’t reached very low speeds or had to stop altogether.

In terms of how drivers can put this into practice, take for example when a driver is approaching a red light. Braking late and decreasing speed sharply could result in the driver having to drop into the lowest gear or come to a complete standstill at the lights.

Conversely, starting the braking process earlier and decreasing speed very gently could result in never having to come to a stop at all- meaning you could get back up to speed without wasting fuel. What’s more, this method is likely to cause less wear-and-tear for your brake pads.

5. Keep to the highest appropriate gear

Keeping to the highest gear suitable for the speed you are travelling helps to make you fuel consumption as efficient as possible. When driving at 30mph, for instance, some vehicles will comfortably sit in 4^th gear. This will keep revs down and fuel consumption down too.

6. Use cruise control, where available

Cruise control, when used correctly, can save as much as 14% on fuel. Travelling at a continuous speed is one of the most efficient ways to travel, so having cruise control on when on motorways and A roads can help you keep your speed consistent.

7. Plan your journey

Where you drive has as much effect on fuel efficiency as how you drive. Route planning is therefore a fantastic step to take when looking to ensure that fuel usage is made efficient through optimising your journeys. Look at the roads you intend to travel and consider that a shorter journey isn’t always the most efficient.

Opting to travel on larger, straighter roads can maximise fuel efficiency and combining trips rather than doing many shorter ones are ways that you can better plan journeys. Traffic is also a key component of route planning, and understanding whether a route is likely to be busy or not can help reduce your fuel bill over time by ensuring your drivers don’t have to sit in traffic with their engines ticking over.

Telematics services like Tele-Gence can help you plan journeys and keep costs down. Tele-Gence is fully customisable so you can tailor it to your fleet requirements and save money and improve safety.

8. Turn your engine off

A vehicle that’s off is a vehicle that’s saving fuel. If your vehicle is stationary for longer than a couple of minutes, turn the engine off. The fuel you’ll save when at a stop will quickly add up.

How can missing out some gear changes save fuel?

An often-overlooked tactic for efficient driving is eliminating unnecessary gear changes when accelerating. Missing out gear changes can help to save fuel by reducing the overall time spent accelerating, but must be done with care.

Does coasting save fuel?

Coasting (depressing the clutch and using momentum rather than the engine to carry the vehicle) is not only a bad tactic for fuel conservation, but it also a risky driving technique.

In most modern vehicles, coasting won’t save much fuel and will leave you with significantly less control over your vehicle. Having the engine engaged will help you if you need to break or accelerate in response to external factors.

Does stop-start save fuel?

Stop-start technology aims to save fuel by turning your engine off when stationary. Whilst this won’t save you tonnes of fuel in the short-term, stop-start will help with fuel consumption over time, particularly on journeys that might feature lots of traffic lights or junctions.

Managing your fuel with Fuel Card Services

Fuel Card Services can provide a range of services designed to help fleet managers stay in control of fuel consumption and spending. With fuel costs increasing, now is the best time to get in touch with our experts and find out what fuel cards and services could help you streamline your fleet operations.