Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/821508
36 commercial carrier journal | may 2017 technology GreenRoad, Smith System partner for driver safety training T he challenge of driver safety is finding something that will change bad driving behaviors and sustain that change over time. GreenRoad says it addresses this challenge by making drivers conscious of errors using a combination of immediate feedback, coaching and training tools. Its technology detects 150 different maneu- vers, and the newest generation does it by using the built-in accelerometer and GPS capabilities in smartphones and tablets, said Zeev Braude, chief executive officer. Fleets that use GreenRoad also have access to an online business intelligence platform with customizable reporting and analytics for tracking driver safety and fuel scores. GreenRoad last month announced a part- nership with driver training company Smith System that will combine in-vehicle driver safety technology and coaching with Smith System's instructor-led training. e training Smith System will be able to offer as part of the joint offering can help carriers offer more employee engagement through specialized training, Braude said. "As carriers are struggling with employee and driver retention, we see the ability to offer specialized training as an effort by the employer to educate and retain their good employees," he said. e GreenRoad platform maps driving errors to key Smith System principles, such as space management by location. e in-vehicle ap- plication gives drivers immediate feedback in terms of Smith System principles, such as when drivers have harsh braking events. Drivers also can view their GreenRoad score by using a mobile app or the Driver Engage online portal. e score represents the number of errors they have per hour of driving. Smith System will implement GreenRoad's in-vehicle monitoring system as part of its curriculum to support behind-the-wheel training and further improve and standardize driver coaching and feedback substantiated with data. "GreenRoad's mobile technology application provides drivers with immediate feedback on driving behavior and at the same time provides critical data to fleet managers who in turn can apply the Smith System proven training tactics that change driver behavior," said Frank Powers, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Smith System. Smith System offers online videos and hands-on training from in- structors to help drivers master the operation of any type of vehicle and react properly to unexpected situations. – Aaron Huff GreenRoad's driver safety platform detects risky driving behaviors using the accelerometer and GPS data of smartphones and tablets. • TMW Systems announced the integration of its TMW.Suite transportation management software sys- tem with TruckRight's driver recruiting and retention system, allowing driver data created or modified with- in the TruckRight portal to be pushed automatically to a driver profile within TMW.Suite. Carriers, brokers and third-party logistics providers using TMW.Suite will be able to access up-to-date driver names, license numbers, contact information and other data without having to re-key information. • Spireon released its FleetLocate FL Solar solution for trailer and asset tracking that allows fleets to maintain a pulse on trailer activity regardless of whether the device is connected to tractor power or not. It is engineered for quick installation and is suited for fleets that operate trailers or other assets that don't support traditional power options. Data is managed through Spireon's online FleetLocate platform. • PeopleNet, a provider of fleet mobility technology, now offers a connection to 4G LTE networks through its ConnectedFleet platform, allowing fleets to connect their drivers, devices and equipment in real time to help improve efficiencies and increase safety. Customers also now have the potential for faster con- nection speeds and the ability to access information more efficiently in geographical areas that previously had little to no coverage. • Trucker Path, creators of a trip-planning app for truck drivers, announced that its Truckloads freight marketplace now has a truck search feature to find available carriers. Brokers that post freight on Truckloads can search for verified carriers based on location, equipment type and safety rating, and companies also can contact available carriers directly. The feature's launch includes 5,000 qualified carriers, with more planned. • FR8 Revolution, a developer of cloud-based freight transportation tools, launched its FR8Star Heavy Haul Marketplace at FR8Star.com. The online market- place includes a rate calculator for pricing oversize/ overweight loads with up-to-date state permit fees and escort costs, optimal shipping routes and the ability to request quotes directly from carriers. Carriers bidding for these loads also have access to the rate calculator to help them submit a competitive and educated quote. • TMW Systems announced the integration of its TMW.Suite and TruckMate transportation manage- ment software systems with Geotab, enabling users of either platform to manage and automate their dispatch operations, driver messaging and hours- of-service compliance more effectively. Arrival and departure functionality, forms processing, enhanced GPS data and frequent HOS updates will help ensure faster delivery of accurate information to both the dispatcher and driver, while operational service forms will help streamline customer- or fleet-specific tasks. INBRIEF