It's well known that driving habits have a significant impact on fuel consumption. Excessive speeding, hard acceleration or idling are all behaviors whose effects are obvious, but how can we measure them effectively? We can't be in the truck with the driver all the time - or maybe we can, thanks to telematics. However, the challenge lies in using this data effectively, while avoiding giving drivers the impression of being constantly monitored. Here, then, are a few best practices to follow:
Define clear objectives
What is your organization's objective? The main goal is often to reduce fuel consumption in order to cut greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs. However, it's essential to set a clear, achievable objective based on your current operations. If you have a recent energy analysis, it will be easier to define this target and segment it according to specific criteria, such as outside temperature.
This target will serve as a benchmark against which to measure the savings achieved by managing driving habits. Of course, many other factors will come into play, but it remains an excellent indicator. It's not uncommon to see a difference of more than 10 liters per 100 km between two drivers doing the same type of transport. The key is to start somewhere and to identify that initial target.
Make a clear commitment
Any change must start with a clear commitment. The aim is to mobilize employees to manage their driving habits for the success of the company. It's crucial to measure the performance of the road experts you've hired to make sure they're paying attention to their fuel consumption. All too often, significant initiatives fail after a few months because management stops following them up.
Showing that this objective is paramount to the company strengthens employees' sense of ownership. They feel involved and that their efforts are making a difference. This recognition is a powerful motivating and retention factor.
Developing a recognition program
As a continuation of the commitment, a recognition program must be motivating for employees. It's important to think carefully about how you want to recognize their efforts. A poorly designed program can create unhealthy competition and demotivate some employees. Recognition doesn't have to be monetary; it has to fit in with your company's values and culture.
A program that rewards only the top five can often create a sense of injustice. Instead, we recommend a program where a passing grade is recognized, making it accessible to all employees.
A good idea is a program based on sharing savings. Employees then understand the importance of their contribution to achieving the objective and benefit directly from it. For the company, this type of program is easier to set up, as it is based on savings rather than a fixed budget. If the program is based on a pass mark, the more successful employees are, the greater the savings, and the greater the reward. This encourages team spirit rather than competition.
Determining the criteria and how to measure
With telematics, it is now possible to collect the data needed to monitor driving habits. Sensors can detect sudden acceleration, while engine data can be used to read vehicle speed, idling and many other measurements as required. Don't start with too many rules; choose the ones that are most critical to your study.
Make sure that the criteria used are those over which the driver has direct control. It's highly inadvisable to use consumption per 100 km as a measure, as the driver has no control over temperature, load weight, road, traffic, waiting times, etc. On the other hand, he can control acceleration and speed. On the other hand, he can control acceleration, speed, idling, hard braking, etc. It's also important to bear in mind that some situations on the road are beyond the driver's control, which is why we recommend an evaluation period long enough for these events to be diluted over a higher mileage, thus minimizing their impact.
At AttriX, we use the “Driver Challenge” module. It enables us to select rules according to established criteria, and assign them different weights depending on the importance of the measure. Drivers are ranked according to their score and can consult their report card via their application.
Encouraging good behavior
From the outset, we raised the risk of drivers feeling under surveillance, which can be a major obstacle in this type of initiative. The aim is to mobilize employees, not to discourage them. Using the program to reprimand bad habits is strongly discouraged, as it only generates frustration, device disconnections, grievances and discontent.
Encouraging good behavior by acknowledging it is a much more effective practice. You can also use telematics for personalized coaching, which is a very powerful tool. Telematics can identify areas for improvement, but always with a view to helping the driver progress, not terminating his or her employment. Staff retention is crucial in an industry where manpower is scarce.
Maintaining rigor
This is a corporate objective, so it's important, even when things are going well. It's common to let up too quickly. Once the plateau is reached, it's easy to maintain momentum for a few weeks, then stop talking about it. But if your boss asks you for a report every week and then, after 5 or 6 months, stops asking for it, be honest, you'll probably stop producing it, and your boss will be sure to point this out at your appraisal.
f you want this initiative to mobilize people, it's essential to respect your commitment. If you've announced that this approach is crucial to your company's success, you need to be consistent.
In a nutshell
The benefits of a driving habits management approach are numerous. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs are the most obvious. On further reflection, other benefits emerge. A well-designed recognition program improves employees' sense of belonging, making them feel valued and recognized by the company. It's also an asset on the job market. Surveys show that lack of recognition is often the main reason why employees leave. Recognition is a broad concept, not just a pat on the back or a bonus. Recognizing your employees' expertise and their contribution to the company's success is highly appreciated.
The impending energy transition will bring its own set of constraints. Good driving habits will be essential to ensure the profitability of new technologies. With the limited range of electric vehicles, energy-efficient drivers will become indispensable.
Take advantage of today's technologies to create an engaging program that will help your business succeed and prosper.
