AI-driven Data is the Future of Fleet Safety
Fleet and driver safety has always been a major concern for fleet managers and with fleet accidents in the US at an all-time high, there’s reason for this ongoing concern.
In fact, the commercial fleet accident rate in the US stands at 20%, with data from NHTSA suggesting that almost 11% of all road accidents include fleet vehicles of some sort. As fleets strive to scale up driver safety, connected vehicle technology presents new opportunities to solve this perpetual issue in fleets.
There exists no better alternative than the power of rich, connected fleet data when it comes to streamlining fleet management activities. Connected vehicle technology provides fleet service providers the unique ability to get high-level visibility over the fleet operations, movement as well as vehicle health, and enables real-time supervision over end-to-end performance and competencies.
Unlocking the value of Connected Fleets
The industry has already had a taste of what it feels like to catalyse fleet management with modern technologies that promise up to 60% reduction in collisions and 75% in collision costs, 40% saving in fleet costs and 50% improvement in uptime and performance. Scale that data over fleets operating across the entire North American region and you’ll have optimized managed fleets more than any other innovation in the industry previously, and then an iota more.
With a bird’s eye view of the entire business processes, the technology also opens windows for improvements which, when worked on in harmony with AI, goes a long way in enhancing the flow of information, and in turn, giving rise to strategies with the sole aim to nurture growth.
Here are six ways an AI-enabled fleet management system will drastically increase driver safety and drive fleet efficiencies:
Making Driving Safer
- AI-driven connected vehicle data enables fleet managers to track and scrutinize driver behaviour that directly impacts the safety of the driver and motorists on the road. Monitoring data such as driving speed, acceleration, harsh braking, and mobile phone usage can help interpret areas of improvement for the drivers and reduce excess wear and tear, to help boost trip safety.
- AI analysis allows fleet managers to dive into the sea of driver behaviour data, measuring their performance and coming up with coaching opportunities to rectify unsafe driver practices while educating them on the best/safe driving styles.
- AI-analysis of real-time location can grant managers high-level visibility into the fleet whereabouts at any given time. When shared with a centrally designated authority, this data can be critical in expediting medical and/or emergency response to the exact location if need be. Tracking fleet location at all times also assists with keeping the vehicle and its cargo secure, thwarting stealing attempts and reducing chances of damages.
- Additionally, fleet managers also then have the ability to assist stranded drivers with roadside assistance and other relevant solutions, when dealing with connected car data. While popular among service providers, the efforts are usually lacking in terms of time sensitivity and the real-time consideration of drivers. When paired with AI analysis, the job of maintaining driver safety becomes much easier.
Increasing Fleet and Driver Efficiency
- Data analysis using AI powers predictive maintenance efforts and reduces human error and miscommunications. By carefully interpreting when a vehicle might need service or a part might need repair, predicting potential breakdowns and even excess wear and tear, fleet managers can estimate vehicle health status to take good care of fleet vehicles, in turn safeguarding driver safety.
- Fleet data also identifies real-time fuel consumption trends to minimize fuel costs, which make up for almost 60% of total fleet costs. By optimizing vehicle use, selecting the shortest routes, managing driver performance, and discouraging idle behaviour, fleet managers can potentially ensure fuel savings that not only prevent drivers from operating in emission-heavy environments but also lead to greener and sustainable prospects.
Applying the Power of AI
With the advancements in technologies in the automotive sector, there’s a clear rise in the number of OEMs offering connected vehicles on sale. The real challenge, after getting access to accurate vehicle data, comes in while analysing this data with regards to real-world conditions.
With the enablement of AI, there is new meaning to huge piles of numeric data making it possible for fleet managers to deploy intelligent diagnostics to prioritize driver safety, security and efficiency.
Article by Sandip Ranjhan, CEO and co-founder of CerebrumX, an AI-powered connected vehicle data platform for OEMs, fleets, auto insurance, smart cities, vehicle service contracts and more.
