Fleet Services Committee announces new replacement planning publication Mary Joyce Ivers, PWLF, CPFP Fleet and Facilities Manager City of Ventura, California Member, APWA Fleet Services Committee n any municipality, a fleet of vehicles and equipment represents an investment of hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, plus the ongoing expenses for labor, maintenance, and overhead. The responsibility of the fleet manager is to provide an acceptable level of service to the organization and the community in the most efficient and economical way possible. Having a sound fleet replacement plan is essential to fulfilling that responsibility. A good fleet replacement program gives the fleet manager tools to assess the needs of
the community, evaluate the fleet’s ability to meet those needs, and develop a plan for replacing vehicles and equipment before service delivery is impacted. It takes into account right-sizing and right-typing the fleet, maximizing vehicle availability and utilization, minimizing costs and vehicle downtime, reducing maintenance and operational costs, and providing an opportunity for new technologies and sustainability initiatives to be implemented. To assist the fleet manager in developing such a plan, the APWA
Fleet Services Committee has updated its Vehicle Replacement Guide by publishing a new book, titled Planned Fleet Replacement. The updated booklet is designed to provide public managers at all levels including fleet managers, public works directors, and equipment operators with the basic guidelines to determine when and how to replace vital fleet equipment. It introduces financing strategies, evaluation criteria, as well as outlines ideas on how to dispose of and achieve the maximum residual value from vehicles and equipment that are selected for replacement. Planned Fleet Replacement will be useful in establishing and improving vehicle replacement programs by helping to: •
establish an effective program and determine replacement criteria,
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develop budgets and plan appropriate financing,
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select units to be replaced and determine optimum disposal methods,
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provide alternatives for compliance with “green” fleet sustainability initiatives,
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develop specifications and purchase replacements.
APWA is providing the following excerpt as a “teaser” and introduction to the new publication. If you would like to purchase the updated publication after reading this material, check our online store at www.apwa. net/bookstore to make your purchase. 20 APWA Reporter
September 2012
