CCJ

April 2012

Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal

Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85369

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 40 of 117

MAKING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS WORK FOR YOUR FLEET BY AARON HUFF over, drivers know they received the proper orientation to be successful." Marten Transport contracted with ACS to customize a Web-based driver orientation program with takes is a PC or laptop, and we're in business." Each module is followed by a "To me, this is the next evolution of learning." – STEVE SICHTERMAN, ACS VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE ACS' Command Solutions offer- ing. The 2,400-truck refrigerated carrier now uses the same consistent orientation training program at all six locations. "To me, this is the next evolution of learning," says Steve Sichterman, ACS vice president of business devel- opment, safety and compliance. For all of Marten's training modules – currently at 17 – ACS filmed the same actress who presents scripts using content that is managed by each Marten department. Each presentation is filmed against a green screen so that graphical and visual cues can be added to draw drivers' attention to key points in the presen- tations. The videos are interspersed with footage of Marten equipment and facilities. "We can add, subtract or change content easily, " Norlin says. "If we decide to do orientation at another loca- tion, it is very easy to do. All it knowledge test. If drivers do not pass the test, they can review the video at any point and retake the test; this method allows drivers to work at their own pace. The technology also allows more astute drivers to speed up the process and identifies those who may need additional time and attention from instructors. "Guys want to push through," Norlin says. "We have shaved a half- day off orientation. Drivers want to get out there and get in a truck." Even though Marten has shortened its orientation program, the time drivers are spending with people is much more productive, he says. The system also keeps records for each driver, which helps answer the most common question in litigation: What type of training do you provide to drivers? "It is much easier to share training videos with attorneys than a driver's manual," Norlin says. Feedback from drivers concurs with Marten's decision to implement computer-based training. Drivers regularly say that the orientation is the most unique they have experi- enced. They also say they feel better prepared because of the amount of interaction they have with the train- ing modules. "Drivers do a better job of grasping information," Norlin says. AARON HUFF is Senior Editor of Commercial Carrier Journal. E-mail ahuff@ccjmagazine.com or call (801) 754-4296. INBRIEF Zonar's latest patent-pending technology adds fuel to its GPS reporting. Zonar says its telematics platforms will determine sample rates based not just on geographical data – latitude, longitude, time and odometer – but also on fuel usage so that customers easily can identify routes and lanes over which their vehicles are most and least efficient. Telogis says its Driver Scorecard, now part of the Telogis Fleet Software-as-a-Service fleet management system, enables the system to more easily manage and communicate behaviors that directly influence driver and asset safety. Con-way Truckload is installing Maptuit NaviGo technology in all company trucks and Qualcomm-equipped owner-operator tractors. The in-cab navigation upgrade follows a pilot study that was launched in September 2011. Rand McNally unveiled Rand McNally Connect, a software platform designed to integrate the company's FleetWatcher Web portal with third-party applications. Combined with its mobile communications systems, TruckPC and TND760 Fleet Edition, Rand McNally Connect allows transporta- tion management software to pull through vehicle diagnostics, driver behavior, hours- of-service status and e-mail. Xata Corp., a provider of fleet optimization software, and ALK Technologies, a provider of geologistics and navigation software, integrated ALK's CoPilot Truck 8 Professional with XataNet to provide users with updated PC Miler 25 routing and availability on a wider range of hardware platforms. QuikQ, provider of a cardless direct fuel con- nection between truckstop point-of-sale and motor carrier enterprise systems, is collabo- rating on a product to allow internal vehicle data to be written to and/or read from RFID tags while a vehicle is at a fuel dispenser. COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | APRIL 2012 39

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of CCJ - April 2012