Studies show that fleets can spend up to $1280 per driver per year on detention time. Surveys further found that no more than 3% of drivers get paid 90% of their detention fee claims. GPS tracking devices for automobiles and geofencing can help bring down the possibility of detention time.
So, how can GPS tracking help reduce detention time? Here are some valuable insights to help your fleet operations.
Impact of Detention Time on Fleet Operations
The different ways detention time can affect your business include:
- Financial Loss: No fleet operator wants to have immobile fleet vehicles. Such vehicles do not deliver or collect cargo on schedule and do not turn any profit. Detention can cause financial loss to your business.
- Impact on Reputation: Detention can have both short-term and long-term impact on your business. When your vehicles fail to keep up with scheduling, this can also affect your business’ reputation.
- Increased Risk of Traffic Accidents: Any factor that delays fleet operations has the potential to cause stress to drivers. This further increases the chances of drivers speeding to keep up with the scheduling requirements.
Real-time tracking and geofencing alerts can allow you to readily identify when a driver enters and exits a facility. This data can be used to find non-shippers and receivers who consistently detain drivers too frequently or for too long.
Detention has an impact on everyone involved, including the shipper, driver, and receiver. The US Department of Transportation reports that drivers lose $1.2 billion annually due to detention. It can increase costs for shippers, as they will have to cover not just detention fees, but also additional labor costs. So, it is important to take steps to reduce the chances of detention.
How to Reduce Minimize Detention Times?
Accurately monitoring vehicle loading and unloading status can help minimize detention times. Proper planning and rerouting can help create the most efficient solutions whenever issues arise.
These solutions are possible only with the help of the high accuracy of fleet tracking systems. Using GPS technology can give you peace of mind by providing accurate data on your most valuable assets at any given time.
As part of telematics, GPS tracking can make a positive impact on streamlining both internal and external communication. When you have a centralized fleet management system, keeping in constant touch with all the drivers can become a big challenge but not with a telematics system. GPS tracking can help bring more reliable and clear communication to your operations.
This can also improve customer communication. Access to real-time data provides more accurate updates, making it easier to quickly troubleshoot customer issues and queries. This can improve driver accountability and bring company clarity, which can help improve customer satisfaction. Such a system can bring a level of transparency that enhances the overall customer experience.
Ideal Technology Solutions for Reducing Detention
While real-time tracking using gps tracking devices for automobiles can help identify potential delays and detention, the following technology solutions can further help reduce detention:
- Predictive Analytics: With predictive analytics, you can readily identify trends in detention. This information can be used to minimize the chances of detention.
- Digital Documentation: With digital documentation, you can minimize paperwork. This can further reduce administrative delays, thus helping reduce the chances of detention.
- Automated Alerts: Automated alerts can notify everyone of likely delays or detention. This can make it easier to take prompt action.
- Collaborative Tools: The use of collaborative tools can improve coordination and communication between the stakeholders. This can also help reduce the chances of detention.
The use of the right technology solutions can help shippers and receivers minimize the risk of detention. This can further minimize the financial impact of such issues. So, it is recommended to invest in the right technology solutions to make your business more profitable.
