[ ]
Let's go even further
As a fleet manager, it's important to review
your maintenance program every year. In the
process, you will probably discover that you
need significantly different maintenance schedules for vehicles based on their age. But again,
computer technology can make it an easy task
to generate multiple maintenance schedules
based on individual vehicle requirements. In
the case of vehicles classified as "commercial,"
government-mandated service intervals may
become the controlling factor.The technologydriven improvements in equipment have led
industries such as aviation and railroads to petition the gover nment for adjustments in
required maintenance and inspection schedules.There may be a similar movement in the commercial truck segment in the coming years
as suppliers provide better and better equipment.
In many cases, truck equipment
and component manufacturers
now find it advantageous, if not
necessary, to interface their
products with the truck chassis.
Be proactive
The technology to improve your fleet's operations is out there.Take
the time to learn what is available and then determine how you can
utilize it in your fleet.This means reading articles in trade magazines,
attending trade events and talking to your peers. In many cases, you
www.arborage.com
will have to sell your ideas to upper management, so be sure to do your homework before
approaching them.
Keeping up with the latest technology
developments and how they can improve your
fleet operations is not easy. However, if you
make the effort, you will likely discover that,
in the long run, it will make your job easier,
reduce your costs and improve your operational
efficiency.All in all, that is not a bad return on
your time.
Robert "Bob"Johnson is a former fleet manager and
currently serves as director of fleet relations for NTEA,
the Association for the Work Truck Industry.
The technology applications mentioned in this article and many others will
be addressed in educational sessions at The Work Truck Show 2013 or the
associated Green Truck Summit in Indianapolis.The Work Truck Show 2013
runs March 6–8, 2013, with educational sessions, including the Green Truck
Summit, kicking off March 5. For a complete Work Truck Show schedule, visit
www.ntea.com/worktruckshow/. In addition to the educational sessions,
more than 550 companies will exhibit the latest vocational trucks and technologies
on the show floor.
Arbor Age / January/February 2013
23
