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HaulageIndex March 2016
The UK’s Haulage Business Advertiser
All of these cyclists are in the driver’s blind spot...
sts are nd spot...
Can YOU afford to take the risk?
Can YOU afford to take the risk?
back WATCH Safety Products
We are the UK Specialists in Advanced Vehicle Protection Systems, committed to the design, supply and installation of safety systems within the commercial vehicle sector.
01656 721871
Save Time and money spent resolving disputes and accident claims.
Save Lives. The cost www.backwatch.co.uk
Proud to b associa e ted with and ap pro supplie ved rs to
of installing safety systems is a small price to pay to prevent
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D.TEC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
DRUG & ALCOHOL TESTING - EDUCATE, DETER, DETECT, DISCIPLINE Did you know? • A regular drug or alcohol misuser is 4 times more likely to be involved in an accident at work and 3 times more likely to claim against their employer. • Almost 17 million working days are lost each year in the UK due to alcohol misuse alone. • 25% of registered drug addicts are in full time employment. • More than 1 in 6 people in the prime recruiting pool aged 16-24 take drugs regularly. • Cannabis, the most used drug has the tendency to make people ‘want to sit around and do nothing’. How will this affect productivity in the workplace?
Contact Information: Gareth Salisbury Telephone: 07500 770887 Email: gareth.salisbury@dtecinternational.com
D.TEC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED is a specialist service provider of drug and alcohol testing services to safety critical industries and can manage the whole process of offering a very simple solution to what is often perceived as a complex problem! From initial policy development to individually tailored awareness training courses, we also have a range of testing solutions that your managers are trained by us to use. All of our equipment is quick to use, clean, non-intrusive sample collection and importantly cost effective when compared to expensive, time consuming external companies being called to carry out testing. Our core drug screener, DrugWipe has now been type-approved to be used by the British Police at the roadside and within the police station, an accolade reserved only for the most reputable equipment. Alongside our Home Office Approved / Police specification breathalyser range and laboratory collector call outs for confirmation drug testing, we also ensure that our systems our within the legally defensible workplace testing guidelines.
Ean Lewin Telephone: 0800 371 898 Email: ean.lewin@dtecinternational.com Web: www.dtecinternational.com THE BULLETIN I S NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 49
CONTENTS News..........................................................4 Rospa..........................................................8 Vehicle Safety .......................................12 XVision Commercial .............................14 Backwatch................................................16 SideScan Systems....................................18 Cycle Alert...............................................20 Drug & Alcohol Detection......................22 AlcoDigital..............................................24 DTec International.................................26 Now Group UK......................................28 Vehicle CCTV.........................................30 EyeWitness Cameras..............................32 Exeros-Technologies..............................34 SmartWitness..........................................36 Load Securing.........................................38 Ratchet Straps UK..................................40 Telematics................................................42 Telogis......................................................44 AGM Telematics.....................................46 Paul Duggan Consulting.......................48 Digital Tachographs...............................50 Descartes..................................................52 Tachpro....................................................54 Trutac.......................................................56 WorthPR..................................................58 Navigation...............................................60 TomTom...................................................62
Mobile Technology.................................64 MotorwayBuddy.....................................66 TruckCom...............................................68 Fuel Theft & Security..............................70 Predator CVS..........................................72 Maple Fleet Services...............................74 Freight Exchange....................................76 Haulage Exchange..................................78 Return Loads...........................................80 FEATURE: Griffin Freight Services.....82 Kingsway Tyres.......................................83
Put your business in front of 12,500 transport companies every month! From just £62 ex VAT The Haulage Index is published by Aspire Publishing Ltd, Littleborough Business Centre, 69a Church Street, Littleborough, OL15 8AB To advertise from just £62 per month contact: Telephone: 01422 410152 Email: info@haulageindex.co.uk Website: www.haulageindex.co.uk All contents & design are copyright Aspire Publishing ltd 2016. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden without the prior written permission of the publishers.
www.haulageindex.co.uk | 3
News
TruTac sent to launch new features at CV Show The compliance and tachograph experts TruTac, are launching a series of new product features at this year’s CV Show. TruTac announced it will be launching their market leading TruControl product for tachograph analysis in a variety of languages, including French, Polish and Welsh. The new language options have been driven by customer demand and TruTac are embracing product internationalisation as it opens up European opportunities. Within their TruControl product are new features including eSignLive for secure digital signature capture and a range of reporting enhancements. New report features include fixed penalty fines added to the drivers’ letter. This indicates what level
SmartWitness set to launch VanProtect at Commercial Vehicle Show
Vehicle CCTV specialists SmartWitness is launching a bespoke “van cam” safety product aimed at commercial vehicles ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 tonnes The award-winning firm leads the market in HGV camera technology and now it has created VanProtect to give van fleets extra protection. The SmartWitness VanProtect package includes a forward facing high resolution video camera, a 120’ rear view Infra-Red camera (essential when manoeuvring in the dark) and a monitor that is located on the dashboard. Engaging reverse on the vehicle automatically activates the monitor enabling the driver to see clearly any potential hazards behind the vehicle. VanProtect gives the van driver the tools they need to eliminate blind-spots and reduce stress whilst protecting themselves, 4 | www.haulageindex.co.uk
fine the infringement may have attracted if the driver had been stopped by the authorities and issued a fixed penalty. In addition, a new Driver Licence Expiry report shows the expiry date and driving licence number, as well as the employment number for easier filtering and category selection. Also, the range of automated reports has been increased, allowing for easier management of key compliance data. TruTac’s TruChecks product for daily driver walk around checks has been enhanced with new graphics and easier to manage functions. The TruChecks app is now available on Android, Apple and Windows operating systems.
LPS selects Intelligent Telematics’ 3G vehicle camera solution
LPS, the container logistics business based in Felixstowe, Suffolk, is targeting road safety improvements and insurance savings with a 3G vehicle camera solution from Intelligent Telematics. The company has installed the industry-leading IT1000 device across a fleet of 38 HGVs, having recognised the added benefits available over traditional SD-card cameras. The IT1000 will enable LPS to access high definition footage of a collision within seconds of it occurring along with supporting vehicle data. This first notification of loss (FNOL) will help the company better manage the claims handling process, quickly proving fault and keeping insurance costs to a minimum. The 3G camera will replace an existing SD-card device, removing the risk of lost, corrupted or tampered data as well the need for any time consuming and costly manual intervention after any vehicle incident.
News
Bridgestone Tyres sponsors FTA Driver of the Year contest
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is looking for the country’s top truck driver for the FTA Truck Driver of the Year (18-tonne) 2016 competition sponsored by Bridgestone Tyres. The 18-tonne competition is targeted at the UK’s army of drivers who carry out deliveries in our towns and cities, negotiating busy streets and keeping to tight schedules. The 18-tonne, 44-tonne and van driver of the year contests will be held at Mercedes-Benz, Wentworth Park, Barnsley, from 12 to 14 July. Contestants will be tested on their ability in a wide range of driving skills and will be assessed on their overall competence behind the wheel.
Continental looks forward to busy CV Show
The 2016 CV Show is set to be a busy time for the Continental Tyres team. The focus this year will be on helping operators review their current tyre selection and running costs. This comes as part of Continental’s ongoing commitment to provide operators with the lowest overall driving costs by providing not just tyres but more effective operational solutions. On the stand, visitors will be able to view a selection of the latest third generation Continental tyres, including the complete range of Hybrid and EcoPlus products. The generation 3 roll out has seen over 80 new tyres introduced, the largest ever product launch in Continental commercial tyre division history. Also on display will be the latest technological advances in ContiPressureCheck (TPMS), including the newly developed integration to telematics systems. ContiPressureCheck has already proven to have multiple benefits for fleets
New guidance on drivers’ hours and tachographs
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has published new guidance on drivers’ hours and tachographs. The guidance is for drivers and operators of goods vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles in Great Britain and Europe, whether used privately or commercially. If you drive a goods vehicle or a passenger-carrying vehicle you must follow the rules on how many hours you can drive and the breaks that you need to take. Aims of the new guidance
• Volvo used trucks get 24-month manufacturer warranty • Gemco to pack CV Show stand with workshop equipment • TomTom Telematics to showcase ‘connected fleet management’ at CV Show Rygor technicians’ irtec rollout •
Invests in future with
• Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz Econics exceed Redbridge expectations • Microlise boosts learning offer with upgraded Knowledge Portal • Knapen Trailers expands and automates trailer production • Tiger Trailers set to make a point at the CV Show • Tyre Equipment Company tools up for CV Show 2016 • Tructyre delivers ‘£2m of additional uptime’ to CV fleet customers • Continental to focus on tyre choice at CV Show • Budget forecasts demand for 100 Mercedes-Benz Citans
www.haulageindex.co.uk | 5
News
BPW set to expand vehicle equipment at CV Show Commercial vehicle running gear giant BPW intends to highlight its Eco Air Compact suspension on both disc and drum brake axles, as well as its new Eco Plus 3 hub at the CV Show (26—28 April 2016, NEC, Birmingham). BPW says this latest hub applies Formula 1 principles – meaning it allows simple and rapid removal of the entire wheel, so reducing servicing and maintenance times, and hence also operational costs. Additionally, alongside BPW landing legs, Ermax lighting systems and Hestal trailer components are also due be showcased in
Mercedes launches ‘transparent’ service scheme for vans
Mercedes-Benz Vans has unveiled a national service scheme, promising clear, consistent pricing across the UK. As well as fixed fees – starting at £99 for an ‘A’ service on a New Vito – the scheme also includes new service plans priced from £8 a month for a Citan or New Vito and £10 per month for a Sprinter. The service plans are available on any age Mercedes van, whether acquired from new or as an approved used vehicle. Mercedes says business customers could save up to £261 by taking a service plan on a Sprinter (for out-of-hours servicing over four years). “We have listened to our customers and evolved our national servicing pricing and service plans to be transparent, easy to understand and, above all, cost effective,” says Steve Bridge, managing director, Mercedes-Benz Vans UK. 6 | www.haulageindex.co.uk
support of trailer and semi-trailer builders. BPW says visitors can expect to see EN12642XL rated pillars – which can be moved anywhere along a trailer side to access the load – as well as roof lifting systems designed to operate in seconds, allowing trailers to be optimised for load height and fuel efficiency. Incidentaly, BPW says it will also be showing Hidromas hydraulic tipping cylinders and Idem telematics systems.
Kwik Fit doubles fleet warranty on friction brake parts
Kwik Fit has doubled its van and car fleet warranty on friction brake parts in what it claims is an industry-leading move bound to deliver operating cost savings. Fleet warranty is now 24 months or 24,000 miles on brake pads, discs, drums and shoes, and Dan Joyce, UK SMR/MoT business development manager for fleet, says the move reflects both the quality of parts and Kwik Fit’s technician training. Last year Kwik Fit saw a 35% year-on-year increase in fleet demand for safety-related brake inspections, and brake pad and disc replacements – on top of a 24% rise in 2014. Kwik Fit now expects its warrant improvement to trigger further growth in brake-related maintenance as well as other mechanical work – including all-makes and models servicing and MoTs, available at more than 600 Kwik Fit centres nationwide.
New RoSPA course to help fleets improve occupational driving safety
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has launched a new course designed to help organisations improve the safety of their fleet drivers.
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he Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has launched a new course designed to help organisations improve the safety of their fleet drivers.
behaviour within their organisation, by taking responsibility for assessing and feeding back to drivers and management on critical issues.
The Driving Mentor and Assessor Programme has been developed by RoSPA based on its work with energy firm SSE to improve the standard of driving across the company’s fleet of 7,500 vehicles, which clocks up in excess of 40 million miles each year.
“They will gain an understanding of the human factors that contribute to the occupational road risks that drivers are exposed to every day. The mentoring part of this course is a real game changer, as qualifying mentors are equipped with the skills to work closely with drivers and managers to develop driver improvement programmes within their company. We are proud to have worked with SSE on bringing this course to market, and have already taken bookings from other big names such as Greggs.”
The new course, aimed at employees who are responsible for in-house driving assessments, provides attendees with the skills to assess and mentor drivers. The five-day training programme includes a range of scenarios and role play situations that will heighten the ability to identify, analyse, and provide written and verbal support to company drivers if in need of further development. Driving mentors will be put through their paces in the RoSPA Occupational Road Test, with the examination forming part of the qualifying process, while group exercises and in-vehicle training sessions will also cover areas ranging from the Goals for Driver Education Matrix to company policy and procedures. Colin Knight, RoSPA fleet safety audit manager, said: “The course will enable delegates to positively change driver 8 | www.rospa.com
On successful completion of the course, attendees will receive certification demonstrating that they have passed the RoSPA Occupational Advanced Driving Test and RoSPA’s Driver Assessing and Mentoring Tests. The course is typically held at RoSPA’s Driver Training Academy in Kings Norton, Birmingham, but training can be provided at mutually agreed alternative locations, such as an organisation’s head office.
DIRECT YOUR FLEET TO A SAFER ROUTE At work, road accidents can seriously affect the profitability of your business, your brand and employee wellbeing. Our wide range of services has been designed with businesses in mind and can be tailored to your specific requirements. What’s more we’ll come to you at a time to suit you. RoSPA’s fleet services include: • Fleet audit • Fleet risk assessment • Proactive driver training • Driver skills training (including CPC) • Course accreditation • Global bespoke fleet solutions
0121 248 2233 enquiries@rospa.com www.rospa.com
JAUPT APPROVED CENTRE AC00090
Descartes Demonstrates Compliance Management By Exception With SmartAlerts Feature At 2016 Commercial Vehicle Show London, UK, February 25, 2016 -Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq: DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, will showcase the new SmartAlerts enhancement to its SmartCompliance Software-as-a-Service products at this year’s Commercial Vehicle (CV) Show. Road transport operators visiting stand 4H20 at the Birmingham NEC on 26th to 28th April 2016 will be shown how the SmartAlerts automatic text and email alerts can keep them one step ahead of potential tachograph, drivers’ hours and driving licence issues by eliminating manual data checks and minimising the opportunity for human error. Representing a significant step forwards in proactive compliance management and improved operational efficiency, SmartAlerts is applicable to the Descartes Smartanalysis tachograph analysis solution, and has recently been extended to the Descartes SmartLicence offering. Descartes Smartanalysis software is the industry-leading digital tachograph analysis software for safeguarding compliance with drivers’ hours, working time legislation and tachograph regulations. Combined with SmartAlerts, Transport Managers can be automatically notified of a number of potential concerns around driver card and vehicle downloads, or driver card file download 10| www.descartes.com
warnings, making it possible to take immediate action. With the abolition of the paper driving licence counterpart in June 2015, the Descartes SmartLicence online tool provides customers with a central system for monitoring drivers’ licences and verifying details with the DVLA. Through the provision of a historical log of checks and changes to licence details, SmartLicence allows Transport Managers to assess the risk of licenced drivers and manage the frequency of checks accordingly. With the addition of SmartAlerts, they can now choose to receive automatic alerts to significant data changes across more than ten categories, including notification of driving licence audits and potential issues arising from results such as new penalty points, as well as licence, category and mandate expiration and validation notices. Andrew Tavener, Head of Marketing, Descartes Systems UK, comments: “With SmartAlerts, it’s even easier for customers to ensure fleet compliance with the latest UK and EU laws, as it enables them to make the shift from managing the data to managing the exceptions. By flagging compliance anomalies on a weekly basis, Transport Managers can maximise operational effectiveness and address potential issues without delay.” Lewarn more at www.descartes.com.
Safer Lorry Scheme
All hauliers that want to use London’s roads need to comply and retrofit their vehicles accordingly
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ondon has recently rolled out its Safer Lorry Scheme, and since the 1st September 2015, all hauliers that want to use London’s roads need to comply and retrofit their vehicles accordingly. But what exactly does the scheme entail?
out of the 8 cyclist deaths in London last year (2015) involved Heavy Goods Vehicles, despite the fact that they only take up 5% of the capital’s average traffic.
What is it and why has it started?
Since 1st September, all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must have the following fitted if they intend to drive through London:
London’s Safer Lorry Scheme came into force on the 1st September 2015, and applies to all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. If you have any intention of driving a lorry through London’s Low Emission Zone, then your vehicles need to comply with this legislation. All vehicles above 3.5 tonnes need to have class V (5) and VI (6) mirrors fitted, and side guards between the front and rear axles. The scheme has come into force following numerous high profile fatal accidents involving cyclists and HGV’s. Shockingly, 7 12 | www.haulageindex.co.uk
What kit do I need and why?
Class VI Mirror – This is sometimes called a “front blind spot mirror,” or a “driver’s wide angle mirror.” When you sit in a lorry’s cab in a driving position and look as near to the front of the vehicle as you can out of the windscreen, there are a few feet of the ground directly in front of the cab that are not visible. Class VI mirrors allow the driver to see directly in front of the cab, for example in the event that a cyclist or pedestrian is crossing directly in front of the vehicle.
Class V Mirror – Also known as an”overdoor kerb mirror,” or a “side close proximity mirror,” this allows the driver to have a clearer view of the space immediately to the side of the cab. This helps the driver to see cyclists to the side of the cab, for example when the two stop next to each other at a junction. Side Guards – These take the form of panels or bars covering the larger open spaces between axles. They are included to prevent cyclists or pedestrians from being pulled under the wheels in the case of a collision. Those looking anxiously at the purse strings should be aware that the maximum fine for driving a non-compliant vehicle in London’s Low Emission Zone is £1,000. Repeat offenders risk being reported to the relevant Traffic Commissioner, who is responsible for the regulation of HGV operations. What’s the future for the scheme? Boris Johnson has championed the scheme, and heralded it as a “life saver” at its launch. Back in January 2016, he consulted on further proposed safety modifications, including larger side windows to further aid HGV drivers’ visibility. London.gov.uk estimates that the cost to retrofit these windows will come at a cost of approximately £1,000 per vehicle. A high price indeed, and one that smaller freight companies may well struggle with; but it’s arguably a worthy one if it means road users are safer. The relevant authorities will most likely discuss how to legally enforce these new windows in January. There are also plans to work with cyclists,
vehicle manufacturers and freight companies to enact a legally enforceable “direct vision standard.” Not just good news for cyclists… Though these measures are undoubtedly a step in the right direction, it is important to remember that sadly there is no sure-fire way of eliminating 100% of the risk. Though the scheme focuses mainly on cyclists, we must remember that pedestrians and motorcyclists are also to benefit as they are also potentially at risk from the blind spots that occur around larger vehicles. As Cycle Alert succinctly put it, “no matter how many mirrors you fit to a vehicle, the driver only has one pair of eyes.” Therefor With restricted veiw in commercial vehicles and often operating in tight manouvers it is almost impossible to see everything around your environment, Taking extra precaution and installing proximity sensors are a drivers best friend when driving in city centres. Proximity sensors are great and are common amongst fleets these days. When saftey is paramount they offer peace of mind and a substitute for your own good judgement. The end goal is significant cost savings from improved driver performance, lower accident frequency, shrinking insurance claim costs and the reduced premiums that follow. Many insurers seem persuaded of the benefits of parking sensors, and are increasingly prepared to offer premium reductions to make the installation of sensors more attractive to cost-conscious fleets. www.haulageindex.co.uk | 13
Tate Oils Choose “XVISION” “the fact we have had no incidents since having the system fitted is proof of that” - Andrew Tate, Director of Tate Oils
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ith safety being paramount, Andrew Tate Director of Tate Oils Ltd wanted something more reliable and consistent than the cameras fitted to their fleet of Tankers.
cab. A key feature of this system is Xvision’s unique (VPC) technology which allows any tractor unit that has a display in the cab to work with any semi-trailer that has a set of sensors fitted, you simply couple up as normal and the systems instantly “We have experienced incidents both when communicate without any additional reversing and with front corner impacts connectors or driver input. Fitting time is which show that cameras were not doing around 1.5 hrs which is about a quarter of their job correctly” the time quoted by other companies we contacted. Inconsistency due to prevailing weather conditions would result in the camera Another important issue for us was images becoming blurred and at worst approval…..all the Xvision Systems carry full totally obscured. We had to find a solution as Type Approval, and are also SLPS, FORS, TFL, we supply blue chip companies that simply CLOCS and Cross Rail approved. will not tolerate accidents on their premises. All the drivers quickly adapted to both Having approached a number of companies systems and report they work excellently. and looked at various solutions we decided to go with Xvision Advanced Safety Systems, “the fact we have had no incidents since they offered a real solution to our issues. We having the system fitted is proof of that” now have front corner and cyclist blind spot Andrew Tate Director Tate Oils. proximity sensors fitted to our fleet. This system is totally passive and only alerts the For more information about how we can driver when something or someone enters improve the safety of your vehicles please the detection zone, ensuring concentration visit www.xvisioncommercial.com or call is on operating the vehicle and not constantly 0845 2700 862. monitoring camera images for hazards. Call and quote XVFREE1 to receive a 4 We also have Xvision rear proximity sensors sensor rear blind spot protection system fitted which takes care of the rear blind spot. fully installed on one of your own vehicles These are automatically activated when at your premises completely free of charge. reverse gear is selected they let the driver know when he approaches objects by way of a visual and audible display mounted in the
14 | www.xvisioncommercial.com
Backwatch Safety Products
“Since adding Backwatch systems to our vehicles, they have more than paid for themselves in defending damage claims that were not our fault”
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ehicle Safety Technology specialists since 1998, committed to reducing incidents, defend against unwarranted claims and improving the safe operation of commercial vehicles. We offer a full and comprehensive range of safety systems, including bespoke, modular blind spot detection systems, multi camera digital video recording, audible warnings and tracking systems.
In consultation with our clients, we aim to fully understand their challenges and needs, helping them to select the most appropriate system to meet compliance requirements and gain maximum benefit from the systems they choose.
Aasvogel in Wantage have installed Backwatch systems in all their vehicles, comprising of surround recording systems, blind spot sensors and external warnings to cyclists when turning left. Aasvogel were Backwatch sensor systems are own experiencing significant claims against manufacture with ISO/TS16949, granted CE, them, from damage to vehicles, property E and TUV approval. and reports of items falling from their Lorries. During 2011 we launched our blind spot sensor system, that was subject to extensive Michael Kent of Aasvogel said “Since adding independent trials by AECOM on behalf Backwatch systems to our vehicles, they of Transport for London. Following this have more than paid for themselves in successful trial we were granted approved defending damage claims that were not supplier status by TFL. Systems are Crossrail our fault. The best part about Backwatch is and CLOCS compliant. the service and ongoing support they have provided. The transport staff and drivers The systems have now developed to a stage swear by them for the assistance and peace we can offer customers a bespoke solution of mind they bring” to their requirements, with a wireless link between tractors and trailers, fully Latest recording systems have now interchangeable between their entire fleet. expanded to up to 8 cameras, connected to We pride ourselves on offering a responsive solid state drives with recording times up to and personal service to all customers, 60 plus days with high definition cameras to irrespective of size. Our network of ensure number plates are recognised with experienced fitment teams provide onsite 3/4G and Wi-Fi options. service across the UK at a time to suit business needs, with no extra charge for For more information please visit www. Saturdays, Sundays or Evening work. backwatch.co.uk or call 01656 721871. 16 | www.backwatch.co.uk
Blind Spot Protection System Advanced audio visual sensor and camera technology to warn the driver of any vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian within the blind spots.
Camera
Sensors
Rear Camera
ials om TFL Tr r f k c a b d Fee aware of
e re made mo estrians “ Driver is ings,, including ped d n u o surr s cyclissts” l as well a t successfu iscreet ye d s i m e st ss” “ Sy awarene pt in raising ood prom . cting.. g ra t is d t o “N irrors” to check m he rs found t ” e “ Operato asyy to use system e
Proud to be associated with and approved suppliers to Transport for London
01656 721871 sales@backwatch.co.uk www.backwatch.co.uk
The Enterprise Centre, Tondu, Bridgend CF32 9BS
Crossrail Safety Vehicles not compliant will be turned away from Crossrail construction sites with the contractor liable for any costs incurred.
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rite Sparks Auto Electrical Ltd’s range of leading edge safety systems assist both driver and cyclist. Side sensors • detect obstacles alongside the vehicle giving an audible and a visual signal to the driver, whist an external speaking alarm warns cyclists and pedestrians of the vehicle’s intended left turn. Crossrail is the biggest engineering project in Europe, estimatedto cost £14.8bn. Due for completion in 2018, it will run a total • of118km (73 miles) between west and east London and connect 37stations, including Heathrow airport. The project currently has • over 20 worksites. Following a spate of accidents involving cyclists across the capital,Crossrail have set a mandatory contractor requirement that all HGVs working on the project are fitted with sensors and othersafety equipment to alert drivers of cyclists. Vehicles not compliantwill • be turned away from Crossrail construction sites with the contractor liable for any costs incurred. This applies to HGVsoperated • directly by a contractor or on their behalf by a haulier.
increasing safety when turning or low speed manoeuvring. Audible warning to the driver to alert of a cyclist in the near side blind spot Brite Side Scan ultrasonic sensor system includes a 3stage audible buzzer and visual indicator so the driver knows exactly which part of the vehicle the obstruction is rather than just being warned of a problem which is fitted in the cab. Warning alert for cyclists Brite Side Scan provides a real speech warning to the cyclist - “Caution” this vehicle is turning left” Visibility of side/nearside blind spot .We provide an on site service or the vehicle can come to our workshops, we can cater for weekend work if needed.. Brite Parks also provide extensive camera monitor systems to provide all round visibility of blind spots. We also provide all the internal and external warning signs for cyclists and pedestrian. We also supply a safety kit which includes fire extinguisher, Fresnel screen for passenger side window,Complete sticker kit,Bulb kit and warning triangle. On left hand drive vehicles we provide the mirror image kit so warning that the vehicle is turning right Cranes etc.
• Operators MUST Fit: • Blind spot proximity sensors. Brite Side Scan ultrasonic sensor system informs the driver of the distance between the vehicle and any obstacles, whether For more information please visit www. moving or stationary. The 4 sensor sidescansystems.com or call 01767 683757 system is fitted to the side of the vehicle 18 | www.sidescansystems.com
Blind Spot Eradication & Safety Systems
Warning vulnerable road users of the dangers of travelling down the blind side of a heavy goods vehicle.
Audibly and visually warning vulnerable road users of the vehicle’s intention to turn left at low speed.
T: 01767 683757 E: paul@sidescansystems.london W: Www.sidescansystems.com
Vehicle Safety Systems | Brite Side Scan Systems | Accessories
SHARING THE ROAD: CYCLE ALERT TRIALS WITH IRN BRU
Cycle Alert extends road safety initiative with AG Barr trials in Sheffield
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ycle Alert, the RFID invention designed to help fleet operators and drivers work together with cyclists to ensure safety on the roads, has secured new trials with AG Barr who make, market and sell some of the UK’s best-loved soft drinks brands including IRN-BRU, Rubicon and Strathmore spring water.
the product is needed by both haulage companies and cyclists to have a real impact on road safety. That is why Cycle Alert is now looking for operators to embrace this new technology, where cycle tags will
Following securement of successful contracts across fleets including First Group, Nestle and Transdev in York, Cycle Alert has fitted two of AG Barr’s 15 tonne rigid vehicles which operate in the York and Sheffield areas.
Cycle Alert’s co-founder and the system’s innovator, Peter Le Masurier, said:
already be saturating into the market as Cycle Alert rolls out.
“Technology can play a pivotal role in reducing blind spots and protecting vulnerable road users, which is why we have developed Cycle Alert, the first technology of its kind to be implemented onto heavy good vehicles for the sole purpose of identifying cyclists in vehicle blind spots. We’re delighted to be working with such an exciting brand as AG Barr in Sheffield and believe that the new partnership will play an important part in helping us drive and sustain Cycle Alert’s positive impact on road safety.”
Cycle Alert is a second-generation sensor technology designed to improve the visibility of cyclists to drivers of LGV’s, buses and coaches. Unlike other first-generation sensors on the market, Cycle Alert technology can distinguish between a cyclist and other road furniture and comprises of a bike tag, a wireless sensor on the vehicle and a cab display unit. Its innovative and inclusive approach to road safety technology has seen Cycle Alert most recently nominated for a For more information, please contact: 2015 Motor Transport Award. Danni Lapham, Cycle Alert
Cycle Alert’s three RFID components work Tel: 0208 330 5356 | Mob: 07841 779 919 | together to form a communications network Email: danni@cyclealert.com between all parties, with the driver being given maximum advance notice of the proximity of a cyclist. Cycle Alert is fully aware that take up of 20 | www.cyclealert.com
Reduce Accidents, Minimise Claims Costs and Protect Your Fleet with Cycle Alert Multi-Systems
Technology Powered by IT
Call 0800 014 7542 Today!
For more info, visit www.cyclealert.com
info@cyclealert.com
0800 014 7542 @cyclealert /cyclealert
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Implementing Drug & Alcohol testing in your workforce
ess than 10% of the adult population uses drugs. However, three-quarters of drug users are in full-time employment, according to the Road Safety Observatory.
Amphetamine and methamphetamines are not as widely used as cannabis but the risk of an RTC following consumption is higher than either cannabis or cocaine.
A review of drink and drug driving law by Sir Peter North concluded that there was “a significant drug-driving problem” with an estimated 200 drug-driving-related deaths a year in the UK.
“We shouldn’t ignore the fact that some prescription drugs will affect an individual’s ability to drive,” says John Catling, CEO of FMG. “It’s vital that those employees don’t feel under pressure from their employer to take the risk.”
The risk also depends on the type of drug. Drivers who consume cannabis, the most commonly used illegal drug among adults, are two to six times more likely to have a road traffic collision (RTC). If combined with alcohol, that risk rises to 16 times.
Drivers may be advised not to drive with strong doses of codeine, for example. Then there’s alcohol to consider. Brake, the road safety charity, found 14% of atwork drivers have drunk three or more units of alcohol before driving, compared
22 | www.haulageindex.co.uk
with 6% of motorists who don’t drive for work. “Without testing, it will be difficult to establish whether a problem exists until an incident happens, the police get involved and all of a sudden, your business’s responsibility is called into question,” says Catling. “This obviously adds fuel to the fire in the case for mandatory testing.” Companies need to consider the consequences of one of their drivers being caught drink or drug-driving. “It will affect a company financially, morally and in terms of reputation,” says Catling. Think about the cost of recruiting a new driver. Roger Singer, managing director of DDE+, a registered drug and alcohol road safety charity, says: “The cost of replacing one of your drivers is reckoned to be 25% of their salary by the time you have advertised, interviewed, hired and trained them.” By contrast, drug and alcohol testing/ screening could have financial benefits. For example, you may be able to convince your insurance company to lower your premiums because you are screening. There is also safety and duty of care to consider. “Corporate manslaughter says that you have to have a policy and be seen to be using it,” says Ean Lewin, managing director of DTec International “Too many companies have a written statement around drug and alcohol use, but don’t do anything.” The Misuse of Drugs Act could also apply.
“If you’ve got someone taking drugs, quite often they are carrying drugs, they are coming on to your premises and in one of your vehicles. The Misuse of Drugs Act then applies to you,” says Lewin. Most companies approach DTec “having had a hiccup” or because they want to test “safety-critical drivers”, such as crane, truck or bus drivers. “But they soon realise that all their drivers are at risk,” says Lewin. “It’s just as important to test the managing director as other people at work; it’s fairer.” Sometimes it is the least likely employees who test positive. Lewin says: “I’ve had two managers show positive during drug and alcohol screening training. They were meant to be the screeners!” Companies are often concerned about testing employees because of the Human Rights Act. “This is very clearly covered by the European Court – a country’s health and safety legislation overrides the Human Rights Act,” Lewin says. As for data protection: “Just keep all the actions and relevant data confidential, as you would do normally.” When one fleet manager broached the idea of drug-testing with his colleagues, they were offended. In that situation, the manager needs to be firm, according to Lewin. “The majority are innocent and deserve to be trusted but the not-so-innocent minority are not to be trusted,” he says. “Drug screening is a necessary evil, it’s needed to weed out those weak links for the benefit of the good guys.” www.haulageindex.co.uk | 23
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Meet the UK’s leading drug and alcohol safety experts
t AlcoDigital our team of drug and alcohol specialists has been working with local authorities, governmental institutions, corporate companies and small businesses for nearly 15 years helping them to develop robust Drug & Alcohol Policies tailored to their specific requirements. We pride ourselves on providing a first class, friendly service and we are the only company in the UK who will personally visit your business to discuss your Drug & Alcohol Policy and advise you on your company’s individual needs. Through our work with approved institutions we have developed an unrivalled knowledge and expertise of Drug & Alcohol Policy. We work closely with the FTA (Freight Transport Association) and are an associate member of FORS – the highly regarded Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme. In addition to guiding you through the maze of Drug & Alcohol Policy implementation we offer a range of complementary services that are essential to ensuring your company establishes and adheres to Drug & Alcohol Policy best practice.
Home Office Certified, Professional Equipment
We offer businesses a complete range of professional quality, highly accurate equipment for testing their staff. From UK Home Office approved breathalyzers to vehicle interlock devices and drug testing equipment we work with you to provide appropriate solutions for pre and post screening including collating data and producing evidential printouts at a price you can afford. “Claire Hopper, National Sales Manager”
Onsite and online training
We provide fully certified, face-to-face onsite training as well as eLearning courses that allow staff to keep abreast of changes and updates to legislation at a time and place to suit their schedules. Our onsite courses are run in small groups using the same equipment that your business uses to ensure each candidate is fully capable of correctly operating and interpreting the results of your testing devices. Candidates will also receive a comprehensive insight into how to spot the different signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol misuse and its relevance within the working environment.
Calibration and repair service
To keep your equipment in full working order and accurate we provide a full calibration and repair service. We are an authorised repair and calibration centre for more manufacturers than any other centre in the UK, including Draegar, Lifeloc, C4, Sentech and Q3i. For more information about how we can help your business or to arrange a free review of your Drug & Alcohol Policy, please visit www. alcodigital.co.uk, call Claire Hopper on 020 8454 7372 or email ClaireHopper@AlcoDigital.co.uk
Drug & Alcohol Testing, Training and Compliance Freight Transport Association
ID: A00185
Do your testing procedures and Drug & Alcohol Policy comply with the relevant obligations? Since 2002 we have supported Local and National Government Agencies, major PLCs and small business with training, equipment and advice. For a completely free review, either by phone or at your offices (and with no commitment to buy) call Claire now on 0208 454 7372 or email ClaireHopper@alcodigital.co.uk > Breathalyzers > Drug Testing > Vehicle Interlocks > Certified Training > Drug Advice Service > Calibration and Repairs “Some say… that on the track I push my limits, but safety and precision is key and I never guess the morning after – I take control with AlcoDigital.” AlcoDigital are endorsed by
Ben Collins
formerly known as The Stig
AlcoDigital:
The UK Drug & Alcohol Safety Experts +44 (0) 208 454 7372 • www.alcodigital.co.uk
DETECT TO PROTECT!
D.Tec can train your managers and implement the DrugWipe screening system into your business
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o further progress the fantastic success of the police anti-drug driving campaign, the Department for Transport recently provided £750,000 funding for -
In one county using DrugWipe, after only 9 months the traffic police are making 10% of ALL their forces convictions from just drink and drug driving. DrugWipe is now being used by every single * Additional Field Impairment Test (FIT) police force throughout England and Wales. training of traffic police officers, Being just the size of a couple of biros they can be stored in all traffic cars and in most * Further blood confirmations of those operational police vehicles alongside the failing drug tests breathalysers. Police are now being told, “If you have any suspicion, use a DrugWipe”. * More stock of the recently ‘type-approved’ roadside screener DrugWipe. These statistics prove beyond any doubt that drug driving is a very real problem on This funding was used throughout December our roads! 2015 in the new high intensity pre-Christmas drink and drugs campaign and also to facilitate From a workplace perspective, D.Tec can a specific anti-drug driving awareness and train your managers and implement the enforcement campaign in February 2016. DrugWipe screening system into your business. UK Sales Manager for workplace Since commencement in March last testing Gareth Salisbury explains “DrugWipe year, police forces are reporting that the has been proven to be an effective means availability of DrugWipe and the new of detecting drug drivers at the roadside legislation, similar to that of the roadside and the statistics above tell us of the very breathalyser has allowed the prosecution real issue that exists. From the results that of many thousands of drug drivers. More we see within the workplaces that we do specifically, when a Field Impairment Trained supply, we can also confidently say that police officer decides to use a DrugWipe, there is a very real issue amongst many they get a positive result 90% of the time. safety critical industries including passenger transport; D.Tec can help guide companies When other operational officers who through every step of implementing are not FIT trained and unfamiliar with a workplace D & A policy and testing spotting the signs of drug use decide to programme. Our testing methods are an use a DrugWipe at a collision, they get a effective deterrent against employee drug positive in 10% of the cases. So the worrying or alcohol misuse, using credible onsite statistic from this is that in 1 in 10 collisions, screening drug and alcohol testing solutions someone has taken cannabis or cocaine! including DrugWipe, the polices choice!” 26 | www.dtecinternational.com
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AlcoSense launces testing solution for businesses and professional drivers
atest figures from the Department for Transport show just over 18.6% of drink-drive accidents happen the ‘morning after’ when drivers may be unaware they still have alcohol in their system from the night before. As little 3-4 drinks the night before could be enough to put you over the limit the next day. The body takes approximately one hour to process one unit of alcohol. So, if a person drinks four pints of strong lager (14 units) it can take up to 15 hours until they are clear of alcohol. People process alcohol at different rates and cannot even be sure when they are clear of alcohol. Without using an accurate personal breathalyser it’s impossible to tell when alcohol has cleared from your system the morning after the night before. AlcoSense, the UK’s leading consumer breathalyser company, has launched the AlcoSense Pro and AlcoSense Ultra featuring versions of a fuel cell sensor used by several Police breathalysers, offering levels of accuracy, reliability and consistency not previously within the reach of the consumer. Easy-touse, within seconds they will give you an accurate reading of your level of intoxication and warn you when you are near or over the UK drink drive limit. They have several ground-breaking features dramatically increasing the ease of use of the breathalyser, including BlowCoachTM which gives live on-screen feedback so it’s easy to blow correctly every time, and onscreen advice if you blow incorrectly. ‘Any Country, Any Limit’. These are the first breathalysers to be able to work with any limit anywhere in the world. They are 28 | www.nowgroupuk.com
ideal for professional drivers who have to drive abroad. Just select from the preloaded list of countries and the unit will set itself up to local legislation automatically. An ‘Estimated Time until Sober’ feature gives a detailed alcohol reading and will also show the estimated time until you are sober. Additional features include an alarm that alerts you to re-test again after your estimated sober time; and technology which ensures you never get an under-reading. Breathalysers are increasingly being used by professionals; both by employers wanting to test their employees and by professional or business drivers wanting to test themselves. If a company employee has an accident while having alcohol in their system, their employer could bear responsibility too. As a result, and with growing awareness of the danger of unintentional drink-driving, more companies are introducing alcohol testing policies for their employees. Breathalysers in the workplace are becoming more common, particularly in the transport industry where safety is paramount. Many professional drivers are also taking responsibility themselves and testing themselves to ensure they are safe to drive the morning after. The AlcoSense Pro and AlcoSense Ultra are ideal for use by companies wishing to test employees (perhaps fleet drivers before they leave the depots) or for those who drive as part of their job and want to be able to test themselves. AlcoSense Pro retails at £149.99 and AlcoSense Ultra £249.99 available at branches of Halfords or online at www. alcosense.co.uk.
The Camera Doesn’t Lie
Prevent fraud and improve driver performance with in vehicle CCTV systems
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ith ever rising insurance costs, more and more companies are searching for ways to cut down their bills and reduce their risk. By having a CCTV Vehicle Camera System you can reduce insurance premiums by up to 20% and furthermore you will have clear evidence on the cause of an accident, this is particularly important if your driver did not cause the accident. With the cost of running vehicles becoming more and more expensive it has become imperative that companies find ways of reducing their bills, by using a dashcam and being able to accurately and quickly establish who was at fault, you will save money and therefore companies will significantly benefit from lower premiums and more responsible driving. In a further win, it’s not just accident frequency that declines but also the cost of claims, as Sam Footer, head of international business and strategic development at 30 | www.haulageindex.co.uk
Intelligent Telematics, explains. “We have done a six-month trial with one big fleet where half the vehicles had cameras fitted. They had a 55% drop in accident numbers and a 25% reduction in claims costs compared to the other half of the fleet that did not have the cameras.” One reason for the lower claims costs is the speed with which fleet managers or their accident management companies can start to deal with incidents. New 3G cameras can send an accident alert back to base within a second of the collision occurring, and the video footage follows within a couple of minutes. By intervening swiftly in at-fault accidents, fleets can limit their exposure to high costs for vehicle recovery, replacement vehicles and repairs. “The fleet manager can make sure the
driver is ok, and deal with the accident immediately,” says Footer. “The system provides images and GPS data and that information is gold dust because it allows fleets to intervene and deal with a claim immediately, and that drives down the cost of claims.” This opportunity to have complete, instant visibility of all collisions and driving incidents has led Krispy Kreme, the global doughnut company and coffeehouse chain, to install Intelligent Telematics’ IT1000 forward-facing camera system across its UK fleet of delivery vans. “By selecting a 3G vehicle camera, we can gain a live view of any incidents to ensure we are operating a safe and responsible fleet, while at the same time target insurance and fuel savings,” says Ben Povey, logistics manager at Krispy Kreme. He adds that the video footage and incident data gathered by the sophisticated system will support Krispy Kreme’s driver training programme, highlighting another area where in-vehicle cameras can pay dividends. These new systems can trigger alerts of harsh driving back to the fleet controller, even when no accident has occurred. A G-force sensor within the equipment identifies instances of excessive acceleration and braking, as well as violent swerves to the left or right, and can record the relevant video for subsequent analysis. This can help employers to identify higher risk drivers and introduce appropriate defensive driver training. “Technology is only as good as the people using it,” says Simon Marsh, managing
director of FleetsCompare, a new company established to help fleets work with insurance brokers that understand the benefits of using vehicle cameras and telematics. They use information from these sources in order to lower the frequency and cost of claims, reduce premiums and promote road safety. A former fleet manager running 200 commercial vehicles, Marsh started trialling in-vehicle cameras in 2006, using the information generated to review both accidents and near misses as part of the company’s driver training programme. “When you watch footage back you can see what has happened, and the opportunity to intervene to show drivers where they are driving poorly is invaluable,” he says. “It’s about making them realise the implications of their actions. A split second could make the difference between going home in the evening or not going home at all.”Every Fleet manager has wondered what their drivers get up to when out on the road. CCTV Vehicle Camera Systems help you monitor driver behaviour and activity. Remember the way the vehicles are driven and the behaviours of drivers will all impact on the company’s reputation. In addition bad driving habits can increase wear and tear of the vehicles and increase fuel usage. This technology is perfect for your drivers to help them drive more safely. Both internal and external CCTV Vehicle Camera Systems can help with blind spot activity and provide reversing aids by giving your driver a live feed of everything around them, including people or other cars. This is a feature that most drivers value especially those in large trucks or vans. www.haulageindex.co.uk | 31
KEEPING AN EYE OUT!
INSTALLING A VEHICLE CAMERA OFFERS COMPLETE PEACE OF MIND.
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yewitness Cameras are the UK’s marketleaders when it comes to the supply and installation of professional multibrand vehicle camera systems. From a single forward facing camera up to multi-channel DVRHDD systems, Eyewitness Cameras are more than confident they’ll have the expertise and product knowledge to offer the perfect packaged solution to meet any requirements you and your fleet may have. Eyewitness Cameras have researched and extensively tested the majority of systems currently available and accordingly supply those which they believe are the best in terms of quality, features, specification and price. With technology continually improving, you can rest assured they are best placed to the find the perfect vehicle camera system with the latest specification, whatever your budget. They supply direct to the Fleet, Logistic, Private and Contract Hire sectors and provide a nationwide fitting service if required. Vehicle camera systems in the UK are fast becoming ever more popular and for good reason. They provide complete, unbiased, and irrefutable evidence in the event of a road traffic collision or any other incident involving your vehicle. The High-Definition video evidence provided by digital cameras is invaluable in these situations, recording irrefutable proof of fault and assisting in the defence against spurious and aggravated claims. Eyewitness Cameras state that: “Installing cameras as part of your vehicle security system can potentially save 32 | www.eyewitnesscameras.com
you thousands of pounds on insurance premiums. Using video evidence to protect a company’s fleet and its drivers, fraudulent insurance claims can be disproved instantly”. The rapid growth of Eyewitness Cameras has seen the company recently partner with an independent insurance broker. Grove & Dean. Their commercial insurance department offers a full range of products for all types of business offering unbiased advice based on the full range of products offered by the UK insurance market. They are confident that their Motor Fleet insurance cover compares favorably with any other currently available in the marketplace. Grove & Dean offer cover for a range of vehicles, including: Cars, Vans, Lorries, Haulage, Mini-buses, Coaches and Private & Public hire vehicles. For more information contact Jim Hooper, Group Commercial Manager on 01708 436811 or email jim.hooper@grove-dean.co.uk Whether your requirements are for single or multi-camera systems, Eyewitness Cameras can source, bespoke design and install the very latest camera packages that best suit your company’s needs. For more information about Eyewitness Cameras or to find out about a particlar product please visit www. eyewitnesscameras.com, call us on: 01245 257 133 or email sales@eyewitnesscameras. com.
In Vehicle Cameras Complete The Picture Award Winning Vehicle Safety
Exeros-Technologies are award-winning experts in the design and installation of advanced vehicle safety technology, specialising in HD camera systems, fleet-tracking, driver-monitoring and improving communication with vulnerable road users. We have forged successful partnerships with high profile private organisations (CEVA Logistics, Brett Aggregates) and UK councils. Further afield our advanced cyclist-detection hardware, Hybrid HD MDVRs and new Vidimatics unit provide fleet-telematics and recording solutions for a global market of prestigious clients across Europe, Africa, South America and Asia, which has led to worldwide brand recognition. Established in 2009, the company is involved in a multitude of significant projects for top 50 UK fleet operators ensuring all vehicles including construction and plant machinery, HGVs, vans and emergency response vehicles meet national safety standards and achieve compliance with TFL transport schemes, including FORS, CLOCS and Crossrail. To develop our exclusive range of products we consult and rigorously test our all our systems with partners from the Emergency Services, Highways Management, Public Transport and Commercial Fleets. This has ensured our solutions are purpose-built for commercial vehicles to improve safety, monitor driver behaviour and reduce cost. Product innovation is top-priority at Exeros and our broad portfolio of systems reflect the company’s commitment to design and functionality. Our technical development team receives industry recognition for their design of groundbreaking solutions (winner of the Tip-Ex Show Innovation Award 2015 for our intelligent Cyclist Detection 34 | www.exeros-technologies.com
System) and we have repeatedly delivered unique functionality within our specialist field. Our bespoke systems ensure that your assets are compliant, safer and easily monitored, whilst mitigating risks to vulnerable road users and allowing fleet operators to significantly reduce accidents, injuries and insurance claims. We are looking forward to meeting everyone attending this year’s CV Show at the NEC Birmingham. You can find us at stand 4K75 where we will be showcasing our new Vidimatics fleetmonitoring solution and our award winning Cyclist Detection Camera. WHY EXEROS? •
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Efficient post-collision analysis: no witnesses needed. Events in and/or around the vehicle recorded for up to 60 days along with full drive data Individual driver improvement with behavioural analysis and automated risk assessment Total blind-spot elimination - reduce the risk of injuring any vulnerable road user (pedestrians, cyclists and motorists) Reduction of insurance costs and accident pay-outs with significant financial savings achieved by all customers. Decrease the amount of accidents/incidents related to driver performance Driver protection: drivers now refuse to drive UNLESS they have Exeros technology installed By integrating many of our solutions with other devices, Exeros continues to maintain superiority over our competitors. Our exclusive MDVR systems (available in 4, 8 and 16 channel options) allow your company to protect ANY type of vehicle from light commercials to large coaches, trucks and tippers. Nationwide installation and support
Can your business afford do without SmartWitness dashboard cameras?
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martWitness makes Britain’s most popular vehicle journey recorders – allowing your company to monitor all around its vehicles with just a single camera. As well as recording high quality images covering the front, rear and interior, the system can record vehicle location, vehicle speed, driving style and impact force, providing vital, court admissible evidence in the event of an accident. SmartWitness’ range of products provide fleet managers, hire firms, hauliers and private individuals with driving aids to facilitate safer driving and offer complete protection against the ever-increasing threat from fraudulent insurance claims on our roads. SmartWitness partner with more telematics and insurance partners than any other camera provider, offering a fully integrated solution. Luxury chauffeur company Tristar Worldwide made savings of £60,000 a year after installing SmartWitness cameras to its fleet of vehicles, cutting its accident rate by half. Wrings Transport said their accident rate was halved after installing SmartWitness in their 50-strong fleet. Wrings MD Stuart Wring said: “Our accident rate has reduced markedly because drivers know their journeys are being recorded and behave more responsibly.” At Brian Yeardley Continental hauliers the accident rate went down by half after installing SmartWitness and the insurance bill was reduced by £25,000. Brian Yeardley do lots of Channel crossings and the cameras have also stopped the problem of migrants trying to stowaway on its vehicles at big ports such as Calais. Manager Director Kevin Hopper said: “Since
36 | www.smartwitness.com
installing SmartWitness cameras and fitting the stickers to the trucks and rear doors of our trailers where the immigrants normally make entry we have not had any incidents and I do apportion a lot of this to SmartWitness. “I also believe the cameras made a significant contribution to the reduction in our insurance premium.” Daily Telegraph motoring columnist James Foxall said: “SmartWitness has achieved remarkable savings in hauliers’ insurance premiums.” Insurers have found that just two per cent of incidents recorded on SmartWitness cameras result in disputed claims – against an industry norm of 40 per cent for all motor claims. SmartWitness products are recommended by major insurers and officially approved by Transport for London. They provide complete integration with Telematics Systems – so all fleet management and driver information is accessed through the telematics provider’s system. SmartWitness won the Fleet News award for ‘Best New Product’ for the KP1, hailed as “the most advanced vehicle journey recorder in the world.” The KP1 is the most powerful 3G/4G instant video transmission vehicle camera with in-built G-force accelerometer, GPS and telematics data. SmartWitness’ professional dash-camera range features full HD and 170-degree lens to provide a comprehensive view of any incident. Visit Smartwitness.co.uk to learn more about its range of products, or call its helpline on 0844 947 1000. A video demonstration can also be seen by searching for ‘SmartWitness’ on YouTube.
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Secure your cargo
“An additional danger comes from the effect of insecure cargo on the vehicle’s steering and control.”
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s many as a quarter of all accidents involving road freight vehicles result from poor load security. Keeping loads secure is a huge subject, on which a number of large regulatory and advisory documents have been written. Unsecured cargo can fall from a vehicle, or be thrown from it, at any time in the load’s journey. It’s a danger to those who load and unload the vehicle, to pedestrians, to other road users and to the driver as well. An additional danger comes from the effect of insecure cargo on the vehicle’s steering and control. It is a major topic of discussion for the Freight Transport Association (FTA), which has been looking closely at how the load security rules are being enforced in Britain and how businesses can be sure of complying with them. The question of how to comply is not 38 | www.haulageindex.co.uk
always an easy one to answer precisely, but the consequences of failing to comply can be very serious. Risks include heavy punishment by the law and, in the event of an accident, expensive damage to vehicles, loss of goods and, most tragically, injuries or fatalities. Richard Owens, of commercial vehicle manufacturer Don-Bur, has been advising FTA members on the principles, regulations and methods involved in load security. “One of the first things to understand”, he says, “is that there are two different parts to load security: containment and constraint. If you compare loading a lorry to packing items into a box, containment is simply ensuring that they don’t fall out of it. Restraint is making sure they don’t move around inside the box.” He continues: “If you place an object on the deck of a vehicle, its own weight will initially hold it in place. But once the vehicle starts to move, the load becomes subject
to other forces. If the vehicle travels slowly and smoothly, friction between the object and the deck may initially prevent the load from moving. The problem comes when the vehicle brakes harshly or changes direction suddenly. That’s when the load will want to continue moving in its original direction and will overcome the effect of friction. “The heavier the object, the greater will be its kinetic energy and its tendency to shift. Bumps in the road will increase this tendency, as they cause the load to lift up slightly above the deck and reduce the friction. Once the heavy object starts to move, it becomes a ‘battering ram’ – and the larger the distance over which it is allowed to move, the more powerful that battering ram becomes.” There are many different solutions for restraining and containing goods safely, of which just a few examples will be mentioned here. For containment, curtains can play a part if they are appropriately designed and fitted with straps or other security devices. Side nets, side webbing and rigid ‘cabbage’ boards are other options. For restraint, standard curtains are not suitable and purpose-designed straps must be used in preference to ropes. Straps suspended from the roof will not be sufficient, at least on their own, as the vehicle or trailer body will not provide enough strength. Straps extending over the cargo, from one side of the loading deck to the other, give much greater security as they make use of the much greater strength of the chassis. In the UK this is known as ‘raveto-rave’ strapping and it is the method recommended by the government’s Health
and Safety Laboratory. Other restraining methods include cross strapping; longitudinal and transverse strapping, transverse nets and load restraint tracks. On the Don-Bur website you will also find the ‘Load-fix’ solution, which is a versatile rave-to-rave system. A variety of lashing post designs can be found on vehicles and these are greatly preferable to rope hooks. The FTA has also received advice from Mark Horton of the UK’s Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) on the reasoning behind this government agency’s new approach to enforcement. To reduce injuries and fatalities, VOSA is making a big effort to check that companies are complying with the rules on load security. The European Union’s Directorate-General for Energy and Transport has developed best practice guidelines on cargo securing, which give details for many different load types and situations. For the UK, the Department for Transport’s code of practice on safety of loads on vehicles is also very detailed. Specialists such as Don-Bur and Ratchet Straps UK will be able to give additional advice and interpretation, but it is not always possible for the guidance documents or their interpreters to give a precise guarantee that a particular solution will comply with the rules in a particular situation. As in many cases, the safest approach is to try to do more than the law requires.
www.haulageindex.co.uk | 39
Safely securing road freight loads
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atchet Straps can be used in so many ways. They are a versatile tool for securing cargo in a van, lorry, trailer or truck. Ratchet straps are some of the most used tie down straps in the business. They provide both security for small or large loads and are a safer alternative than traditional chain tie downs. ratchet straps can hold large amounts of weight and come in a variety of sizes. There are ratchet straps for almost any situation and they can be used for any type of tie down purpose. The way that a ratchet strap works is that it has two pieces of nylon webbing that have hooks at each end. There are different types of hooks available and they can be used for different tie down jobs. The nylon straps are fed into a ratchet device that can be moved to increase the tension on the straps. This allows the ratchet straps to hold down various loads by securing them against movement. It also allows them to be used for towing vehicles. The type of hook at the end of your ratchet strap is important because it will determine where the ratchet strap can be used. ratchet straps with a flat hook on the end are ideal for tying down loads of materials on flat bed trailers. These trailers have a metal flange along the edge that allows the flat hooks to be fastened on either side of the load. The ratchet part of the strap is usually left on one side of the load so that the driver can access the ratchet mechanism without climbing to the top of the load. ratchet straps with J hooks have two wire hooks attached to each end. These types of 40 | www.ratchetstrapsuk.co.uk
straps are used for securing material to the back of a pickup truck or to the top of a vehicle. The wire hooks allow the straps to be attached to more surfaces because they are smaller than the flat hooks and have a tensile strength that allows them to secure loads up to 3,300 pounds. There are also endless loop ratchet straps that are available for moving. These straps are connected to the ratchet at one end and the other end is free. After the load is in place, the strap is fed under and over the loop and then attached to the ratchet mechanism. The ratchet is then used to pull the strap tight and secure the load. This type of strap is useful when you do not have a place to attach a hook or where you have to secure a couple of different items together for storage or shipping. There are even ratchet straps especially made for towing vehicles. These straps are usually attached to the axel of the vehicle being towed, allowing the truck to lift one end of the vehicle off the ground for easier towing and more maneuverability. To see the complete range of ratchet straps available please visit www. ratchetstrapsuk.co.uk You can also call us on 0333 2027110 and we will help you find the right strap for your business and personal needs.
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ATCHET STRAPS UK
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How acting on telematics data can reduce fleet incidents Fleets should use “all the tools” at their disposal to minimise accidents
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echnology will be in the front line of the future battle to cut road accidents, according to fleet experts from leasing and insurance companies.
Bernel Meyers, senior risk consultant at insurance company Zurich, says: “Basically, there needs to be far more uptake of telematics in fleets.
However, technology in isolation will not prevent drivers crashing their vans and trucks; it has to be used as part of a cohesive risk management and incident reduction plan supported by people at all levels of the company.
“Large goods vehicles will routinely use telematics either installed by the manufacturer or as an aftermarket option, and fleets operating vans need to do the same with data relating to safety being properly analysed. In-vehicle cameras also seem to be increasingly coming into favour. I think we’re missing an opportunity to make the most of this type of technology currently, but this should change.”
Achieve this and you can expect to not only see a reduction in crashes, but a reduction in insurance premiums – a double saving. Insurers will even part-fund investment into crash-reduction technology in some instances. The consensus among fleet professionals is that telematics, with its ability to provide specific information about a driver’s behaviour, offers the biggest opportunity for reducing road risk. 42 | www.haulageindex.co.uk
Oliver Boots, head of product services at LeasePlan, urges fleets to understand the importance of correctly implementing conclusions from telematics data. “Fleet operators are increasingly using data from telematics to deliver training to the individuals or driver groups that need it most,” Boots says.
“Telemetry data is often most useful for high-mileage fleets, where significant analysis may be required to best establish training needs.” When telematics is used in conjunction with other emerging technologies, such as in-vehicle cameras, its potential to improve drivers’ behaviour becomes even greater. Steve Shirley, commercial motor risk manager at insurance company Aviva, believes telematics with in-cab cameras will be of “increasing importance”. “Telematics combined with in-vehicle camera systems has the potential to make a real difference to driver behaviour in the future,” he says. “The drivers are in no doubt that they’re being monitored and are likely to take greater care. “But, as ever, it comes back to how the information gathered from the technology is subsequently used by the fleet manager.” Malcolm Roberts, fleet services manager at Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, says van and truck fleets should use “all the tools” at their disposal to minimise accidents. “It’s not only going to be driver training that will feature – but that’ll still be a major component that’s increasingly shaped by telematics,” says Roberts. “It’ll be a case of gathering as much data as possible and then acting on it.” You will also see a reduction in incidents if your fleet adopts telematics. Rory Morgan, head of logistics support for Iron Mountain
Western Europe, adopted telematics in late 2013 – and he has concrete evidence that it has improved safety and reduced accidents. His fleet, which is based across Europe, has seen a drop in incidents of approximately 80%, as Morgan told delegates at the recent Brake Fleet Safety Conference. It wasn’t only the number of incidents which reduced, but the seriousness of them. Iron Mountain records all events that require repairs, no matter how small. “We’re still getting those frustrating reversing into gateposts, clipping wing mirrors, and we’re still inevitably going to get those rear ends and things like that – but they are at reduced speed – so we’re reducing risk,” Morgan says. Graham Telfer, fleet manager at Gateshead Council, and Nick Kennedy, strategic fleet manager at the Environment Agency, spoke to Commercial Fleet about their use of telematics. Telfer has been using telematics on his fleet for around four years, and has seen a marked decline in incidents. “We’ve seen a drop of at least 30% in driver incidents,” he says. “We record all our incidents, from a broken mirror to an RTA [road traffic accident].” And much like Iron Mountain’s fleet, the severity of incidents is also decreasing. However, while telematics provides the data, that in itself it will not result in a longterm reduction in incidents. Telfer says it’s about what you do with the information and he uses it to determine which drivers require training and the type of training they need. www.haulageindex.co.uk | 43
Telogis Connects and Optimises the Mobile Workplace with the Launch of Telogis Logbook
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ith more than 55 million commercial vehicles on the road in Europe and North America alone*, delivering work-related apps that enable employees in the field to be more efficient has become missioncritical. The new Telogis Logbook app increases the productivity of mobile workforces by electronically logging -- with a quick swipe on the screen -whether miles they have driven were businessoriented or personal. Telogis Logbook has been optimised for iOS devices including iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch and will be available this week in the App Store. Demonstrations and more information about Telogis Logbook were available at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last month. Telogis Logbook is an extension of the Telogis Mobile Enterprise Management (MEM) software platform, and was developed specifically for commercial drivers, mobile sales representatives and supervisors who drive a vehicle for both personal and business use. Built from the groundup and optimised to take advantage of iOS advanced security features like Touch ID, Logbook simplifies authentication, tracking and mileage designation while meeting stringent tax regulations in specific EU countries including the UK. Logbook empowers drivers and field reps to view their recorded miles and classify their completed trips by swiping one way or the other on their mobile devices. Full integration with vehicle telematics ensures the most accurate and complete mileage records so organisations can
confidently claim tax deductions and gain more insight into their professional fleets. Through the platform, supervisors can identify classified miles, assign unclassified trips to individual drivers and generate personal-versus-business mileage summaries within detailed reports. “Apps for work should be as intuitive, well-designed and easy to use as consumer apps, as well as delivering all of the functionality people need in the field to maximise productivity, efficiency and safety,” said Sergio Barata, general manager, EMEA at Telogis. “With Telogis Logbook, *Berg Insight, Fleet Management in Europe, M2M Research Series 2015 and Driscoll & Associates, Mobile Resource Management Report, 20162017 companies will get reliable tax information and their staff in turn will get an easy, accurate way to track their miles for personal and business use.” About Telogis Telogis, Inc., the platform for connected intelligence, is dedicated to enhancing the value of its customers’ businesses through intelligent integration of location technology, information and services. Telogis was established in 2001 and is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, Calif., with offices in Europe and Latin America as well as development centers in Austin, Texas; Toronto; and Christchurch, New Zealand. Telogis’ products and services are used and distributed in more than 100 countries worldwide. To learn more about Telogis, visit www.telogis.com, follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @Telogis, like us on Facebook or call 0203 005 8805.
Free routeMASTER mobile app is a bright spark for SEC Electrical
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EC Electrical, the Northampton based electrical systems specialists, have ramped up internal communications and workflow efficiency since installing the free mobile vehicle tracking app from AGM routeMASTER. With responsibility for projects, electrical installations, maintenance and emergency call outs across the UK, SEC has a diverse and constantly changing work schedule. Now, says the company, by using AGM’s easily downloadable mobile app its engineers can locate instantly the whereabouts of each support vehicle and coordinate between each other to achieve the optimum use of resources. “It’s a great tool.” Says Technical Director, Craig Shepherdson. “In addition to being able to track all vehicles and field personnel from any pc in the office, our engineers can now view the same data on the go. This enables fast and efficient job planning and execution, which in turn saves wasted journeys and keeps costs under control.” The unique mobile app enables users to view the real-time location of their vehicles and to access the core features of the system whilst on the move. It is free to all routeMASTER customers and also features a trip replay which provides a record of every vehicle’s journey history since the system was installed. “This is particularly useful” adds Craig, “because our engineers can easily and accurately fill in time sheets and check 46 | www.route-master.com
work records without the need to double check or verify the information. It’s all there on the screen and is sort of ‘selfpolicing’, practical and easy to use.” SEC Electrical has been using the routeMASTER telematics fleet management system for around five years and will be installing further systems next month to three new Berlingos, which are joining the service fleet. The company is well established with over 60 years of experience in the design, supply and installation of electrical services to the industrial, commercial and residential sectors. The routeMASTER app key features include: Vehicles View - a summary of all the vehicles and their present status. Map View - shows all vehicles; zooms to individual vehicles to enable toolbar actions, Dashboard, Replay, Share Trip & Fast Track. Live Tracking - shows the latest location of a chosen vehicle in real time. Live data ‘pushed’ to the app. Fast track - overrides the standard update rate, giving 5 second updates before returning to the standard rate. Route replay - shows the trips carried out on any day since the unit was installed. Dashboard - 2 pages of ‘today’s’ data, giving location, alerts, driver information, MOT & service dates and live activity feed. Share Trip - share access to view a vehicle’s current trip by sending an emailed link.
For Instant COST – CUTTING and Tighter Fleet Control
3 Quick Ways to Fleet Success! 1. Planner: • • • • • •
Same work – fewer vehicles, less cost Eliminate manual planning – instant scheduling Extend order cut off time – increase order capacity Reduce fuel – less cost Intelligent load-to-vehicle allocation Instant ETAs for customer notification
2. Dispatch: • • • • •
Cloud based – multi-user access Live job push and live change direct to drivers Constant, live status for tight fleet control Customers book jobs online Live, paperless PODs and emailed consignment notes
•
Reduce traffic office handling
3. Tracking • • • • • •
Improved traffic control Automatic ETA updates Constant driver performance monitoring Reduce idling – cut fuel costs Reduce time sheet errors and overpayments Absolute control over costing’s, mileage, time on job and overtime
Visit www.route-MASTER.com Or call 01536 401900 www.route-master.com
AGM Telematics Limited, 1 Adelaide House, Corby Gate Business Park, Corby NN17 5JG Tel: 01536 401900 Email: info@agmtelematics.com Web: www.route-master.com
WHY CHOOSE PDC We take a holistic approach and guide you through the minefi eld of implementing a system. With our help, advice and support you can be guaranteed to pick the system that is right for your operation, and we can then help deliver it in a timely manner. We do this by fi rst ensuring you get the right solution, then working hard with all levels of the company on implementation. This ensures that the system becomes embedded in the culture and operations on a day-to-day basis. We then drive through the project to ensure that those promised savings are achieved and the return on investment is met. We can see through the myriad of options available on the market, and help pick the right system for your business. Please see a few of our recent case studies at www. pdugganconsulting.co.uk. OUR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS If you would like to save 6% on your fuel bill and reduce CO2 emissions, telematics may be the answer. See the example cost/benefi t analysis below to help you understand the ROI of implementing a telematics solution. The key to success is taking a holistic approach to implementation, considering people, process and technology. Example: A truck uses £50K of fuel per year, you keep the truck for 3 years. So the total fuel costs over its life is £150K. Savings of 6% over those 3 years equal £9,000.
Cost and Savings of telematics (per truck)
• A telematics system costs £600, spread over the life of truck. • Project Management and driver training costs £400 for the fi rst year. • Total project implementation costs £1000 per truck. • The net fuel saving over three years per truck is £8000. • Additional savings over 2nd and 3rd year on insurance, maintenance and tyres.
Call us at: +44 (0) 7549 649 765
There are thousands of technologies on the market, which one is right for you? It’s a major investment. You can’t afford to get it wrong!
It’s not just about the technology and the tools!
Knowledge and expertise is a key component to a successful project! WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY:
Paul’s independent expertise “Without and hands-on approach I feel we would not have maximized the benefits possible from this complex system.
.”Greame Blackwell CM Downton
What’s the cost of doing nothing? Get in Touch, I can help you! What to do next
• Select a system that is right for your business and goals. • Take a project approach to implementation. • Incorporate driver training into the project. • Adopt a top-down, bottom-up approach to building adoption of the telematics system.
Email us at: paul@pdugganconsulting.co.uk
Visit us at: www.pdugganconsulting.co.uk
Delivering Results, Not Reports
Paul Duggan Consulting
The New Standard of Telematics Consulting
No-fee Initial Consultation!
Accelerate Your Business Today! Let PDC help you achieve success and growth in your logistics operation.
Assessment
Implementation
Results
Which technology is the best fit for your business; how should it be configured and integrated? We will help you deploy the right solution.
Whether you’re looking for expert guidance as you move through your deployment, or your team needs more in-depth support, I offer a range of highly cost-effective implementation services.
Which are the key success factors for business and how should you prepare? Our services will help you to agree on strategic priorities and develop a improvement programme.
About PDC
Our Approach
Bringing innovation to the process of telematics.
Independent expertise
Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
My telematics consultancy was founded to address complex
business issues, advise on strategic business implementation and demonstrate the broader benefits that can be achieved across your fleet management and business. Fuel cost savings of six percent are now realistic and demonstrated through using telematics, but before you embark on such an expensive project you should consider the technology options, the people and processes in your organisation, the investment strategy, and the knowledge and expertise required to make telematics a success.
Many years of experience Proven track record of success Flexible and consultative approach No risk initial consultation Member of RHA and FTA
Are You Compliant?
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With data at the touch of a button, make sure your compliant with the regulations.
ince 2006, tachographs are digital, which allows a more secure and accurate recording and storage of data than the previous analogue tachograph. This device records all the vehicle’s activities, such as distance, speed and driving times and rest periods of the driver. The system includes a printer for use in road side inspections and the driver has a card incorporating a microchip, which the driver must insert into the tachograph when taking control of the vehicle. This personal driver card ensures that inspections remain simple. It is obligatory to install a digital tachograph in new vehicles having a mass of more than 3,5 tonnes (in goods transport) and carrying more than 9 persons including the driver (in passenger transport). This aimed at helping to enforce the rules on driving times and rest periods and monitor the driving times of professional drivers in order to prevent fatigue, and guarantee fair 50 | www.haulageindex.co.uk
competition and road safety. Digital tachographs makes the system less vulnerable to illegal acts by users trying to distort the data. Digital tachographs will allow for easier and better control of drivers’ hours by operators and the enforcement authorities. The activity information is stored in the tachograph head’s internal memory and simultaneously onto the flash memory chip contained within the digital driver card whilst it is inserted into the head. A digital driver card is issued to an individual driver by the DVLA. All the Driver activity Information such as speed, hours and distance is also stored. Data can be locked in the tachograph head by using a company card. This ensures that the data cannot be retrieved by another company should the vehicle subsequently change ownership, or in the case or lease or hire vehicles that are used by many
companies during their life. All data can still be retrieved by use of a control card or a workshop card. Data is stored as a .ddd file that can be imported into tachograph analysis software. Then the digital data stored by the tachograph system can be analysed by computer and infringements automatically identified. Digital data is encrypted and cannot be altered or deleted by the driver once stored on the card or in the head. Information is more explicitly defined in digital form and is less likely to be misinterpreted. there is a legal requirement to carry the card at all times when driving a vehicle, even if the vehicle is fitted, and being used, with an analogue tachograph. This is to ensure that a complete record of all the drivers’ activity is available for inspection at the road side. It is important to remember, that if a driver does have a driver card and forgets to bring it to work, they will be unable to operate any vehicle fitted with a digital tachograph. Driver cards must be downloaded at least every 28 days and the data stored for 12 months for record keeping purposes. If the driver’s data from the card is used also for the recording of RTD, then the data will need to be retained for 24 months. In the case of a driver leaving your employment, or notification that the card has malfunctioned, the data should be downloaded immediately. This will ensure continuation of records for all vehicle and driver journeys VU data must be downloaded at least every 90 days and stored in a manner which is accessible should the data need to
be examined by DVSA. If a vehicle is sold, transferred, or removed from service the VU data should be downloaded immediately. All downloaded data should be stored securely and backed up on a regular basis. This will ensure that if data is lost from your computer, it will still be available should a requirement to produce it, occur. Vehicle unit data is downloaded using a download key. This is a device, again linked to computer software, which allows the data from the vehicle unit to be accessed (using a company card). The data is in raw form and must be stored in the format it was downloaded. This data is difficult to read, but is stored in a form which DVSA are able to interpret, should the need arise. The VU should be downloaded at least every 90 days. Driver and company cards are issued for a 5 year period, after which time they will need to be renewed in good time to allow the continuation of the operation. Driving a vehicle fitted with a digital tachograph, without a valid or defective driver card, could attract a fixed penalty of up to ÂŁ200. If a driver card fails at any point, a vehicle may still be driven however, the driver must take a printout from the VU at the start and the end of the working day and annotate the driving, other work, POA and rest, on the reverse of the print out. Driver must inform their employer and apply for a new card from DVLA, immediately. Tachograph software has improved considerably over the past few years due to the increasing production of commercial vehicles and the pressure to allow fleet managers to access data more easily. www.haulageindex.co.uk |51
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Why Transport Operators should adopt a ‘compliance-first’ approach
ith the DVSA focusing on the serially and seriously noncompliant transport operators, there is a growing recognition that technology can help operators managing their compliance and demonstrate to the authorities that they have effective systems and processes in place. Caroline Hicks, DVSA Head of Enforcement has commented: “We want the cost of compliance to be relatively low, relatively steady and relatively known. As soon as you choose to be non-compliant the costs will increase and they will keep increasing so that no business can afford to sit in that non-compliant area.” Tachograph analysis and compliance management technology such as Descartes Smartanalysis, reduce the rate of driver infringements and can help operators demonstrate to the DVSA that they are proactively managing their drivers and transport operation, taking all reasonable steps to prevent infringements and breaches of complicated tachograph and drivers’ hours regulations. The key is to take a holistic, ‘compliance first’ approach. From tracking driver hours to checking licenses and ensuring prejourney vehicle inspections are undertaken, embedding these processes within dayto-day operations makes these essential aspects of compliance business as usual. For example, automatically and routinely checking a driver’s license – including points – against the DVLA records not only saves time but avoids the risk of out of date information from the now discarded 52| www.smartcompliance.descartes.com
paper license counterpart. With up to date, accurate information, a company can rapidly assess the level of risk it is carrying based on overall driver endorsements and the potential impact on insurance. Moreover, for those drivers with more points and therefore a greater risk profile, the company can instigate more frequent checks, ensuring compliance is maintained at all times and minimising. In addition, around 85% of roadworthiness infringements could have been avoided if the driver undertook an effective walkaround vehicle check before starting the journey. And while it can be hard to ensure these checks are undertaken, companies can remove the risk associated with management by trust by using an App to record a driver’s pre-journey inspection of tyres, windscreen wipers, lights and so on. The biggest issue is tracking and managing drivers’ hours. And with the shortage in HGV drivers, the opportunities for individuals to work longer continue to grow. Drivers may face pressure to work extra hours and some drivers may decide to take that risk themselves. Either way, the potential business impact is huge. Companies need to not only enforce the limit but also ensure that measurement is done accurately and effectively, creating an audit proof record for the DVSA. By ensuring that compliance is ‘baked in’, it is far easier for operators to optimise journeys and meet customer demands. Dynamic appointments can be offered, reservations met and the entire customer experience enhanced with no fear of accidentally pushing the limits - and paying the price.
Tachpro set to launch new mobile app at the CV Show
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achPro are delighted to announce that they will be launching a fantastic new smartphone app for both Android & iOS devices at the CV Show this year. Following feedback from drivers, transport managers, and people from across the transport industry, the app has a host of useful features that will make it a vital tool for fleets of all sizes. Just some of the features of the app include: • • • • •
Drivers Hours Timer Daily Defect Reports Accident Reports Traffic & Weather Truckstop / Fuel Stop Locator
Some features will be available for free on download, whilst others will be “in-app” purchases. The app is in beta test currently and will be released at the CV Show with exclusive special offers throughout the week. As well as the new app, visitors will also be able to check out TachPro’s ever increasing ranges tachograph & compliance products, dashcams, health & safety products and much more. As well as this they will also be able to pick up free copies of the TachPro infographics such as their guide to Digital tachographs and daily walk around checks for HGV, PSV and Vans – you can check them out here: www.tachpro.com/t/Digital-tachographinfographic www.tachpro.com/daily-walk-around54 | www.tachpro.com
check-infographics About Tachpro TachPro was created by Digital 2000 Ltd as the Digital Tachograph was introduced across the EU, as a stand-alone brand aimed specifically at the commercial vehicle and passenger transport industry. TachPro began with digital tachograph rolls and quickly grew to encompass many other products such as driver & vehicle compliance stationery, tachograph charts and analysis hardware. TachPro has gone on to become synonymous with quality products, excellent customer service, fantastic value for money and is recognised as a leading supplier throughout the sector. Our ever expanding range of products now includes health & safety, fleet management, workshop equipment & storage solutions. We also have a great deal of expertise in the printing industry and we supply many products which do not appear on the TachPro.com website such as labels, printed stationery and packaging. All of the TachPro branded products we supply can be printed with your own corporate branding & logo. If this is something that you feel would benefit your business, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to discuss the options available. Examples of these products are available on request. We take great pride in our work and we always put our customers first. We aim to build long lasting relationships whilst
providing quality products with an unequalled service.
TruTac Launches New Features at the 2016 CV Show
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he compliance and tachograph experts TruTac, are launching a series of new product features at this year’s CV Show. TruTac announced it will be launching their market leading TruControl product for tachograph analysis in a variety of languages, including French, Polish and Welsh. The new language options have been driven by customer demand and TruTac are embracing product internationalisation as it opens up European opportunities. Within their TruControl product are new features including eSignLive for secure digital signature capture and a range of reporting enhancements. New report features include fixed penalty fines added to the drivers’ letter. This indicates what level fine the infringement may have attracted if the driver had been stopped by the authorities and issued a fixed penalty. In addition, a new Driver Licence Expiry report shows the expiry date and driving licence number, as well as the employment number for easier filtering and category selection. Also, the range of automated reports has been increased, allowing for easier management of key compliance data. TruTac’s TruChecks product for daily driver walk around checks has been enhanced with new graphics and easier to manage functions. The TruChecks 56 | www.trutac.co.uk
app is now available on Android, Apple and Windows operating systems. The app removes traditional paper books used for daily vehicle checks saving time and money. Completed checks are instantly viewable by the transport office to enable real-time and accurate vehicle management. Managers can immediately view defect reports and take action according to the severity of the defect. As well as generating new leads and building partnership links, TruTac will utilise the Show as a platform to meet and thank existing customers for their continued business and support. To find out more about any of these new features visit TruTac’s stand 4H01 at the CV Show or contact the TruTac team on 024 7669 0000 or email sales@trutac.co.uk.
Safeguarding business with correct tachograph usage
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nderstanding and using tachographs correctly is still an issue for many drivers and operators, as Derek Broomfield, Chairman of Novadata Transport Training, explains. Novadata has provided tachograph analysis services, as well as training in the correct use of both digital and analogue tachograph equipment, for many years and believes that Operators are putting their Operator Licences at risk by not ensuring that they know how to record each working day correctly and by not keeping accurate records that demonstrate their compliance. “Far too many drivers and managers that we see think that they are using their tachograph correctly, but are in fact making elementary mistakes which can create a really poor impression in the event of an inspection,” says Derek Broomfield. “For example, we often find that people only insert their driver’s card into their tachographs when they actually start the engine and pull away from their depot. Although the tachograph automatically records the driving activity, many drivers fail to understand the importance of the settings, particularly ‘other work’ and ‘break’. Unfortunately, by not switching to ‘other work’ or ‘break’ at the appropriate times, they can easily create the impression that they have not, therefore, carried out a daily vehicle check, or that they have not taken a statutory break. To create an accurate and robust record of a compliant working day it is vital that all the tachograph’s settings are used appropriately and consistently, and that the information is then recorded and stored compliantly. Tachograph models may all look very similar, but they differ in use, particularly 58 | www.novadata.co.uk
in how to make manual entries. There are four manufacturers of digital tachographs; VDO, Stoneridge, EFKON and Actia. VDO alone has eight different models currently in use in vehicles and these vary in the way in which manual entries are made; so it is essential that drivers know precisely how to use the exact make and model of tachograph fitted in each vehicle that they drive.” Through its expert Driver CPC Courses, Novadata has noticed that the problem is far more wide-spread than its trainers would have expected when tachograph use has been a legal requirement for so many years. Even on its Management CPC Refresher Courses, and Operator Licence Awareness Courses, Novadata has found a worrying lack of up to date knowledge about the correct use of both analogue and digital tachographs. “Taking time out to train drivers and managers in the correct use of tachographs may seem like an unwelcome investment in time when you’re trying to run a business, but we’re concerned that for some, failing to understand how to use their tachographs correctly could mean, in the long run, that they no longer have a business to run,” warns Derek Broomfield. “Rules do occasionally change and legislation evolves, so it is vital to stay up to date. This is one reason to plan carefully for periodic Driver CPC renewal by attending courses that help to protect the organisation’s Operator Licence. Correct use of the tachograph is fundamental to fulfilling the Operator Licence Undertakings, and Operators who do not download their digital tachographs
and do not record daily activities either in analogue or digital form are clearly putting their Operator Licence at risk.”
Commercial vehicle drivers not appropriately equipped
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Almost half of all commercial vehicle drivers are not using an appropriate navigation device.
t is a commonplace to think of Relativity as an abstract and highly arcane mathematical theory that has no consequences for everyday life. This is in fact far from the truth. Consider for a moment that when you are driving a 44tonne commercial vehicle and navigating to your destination with the aid of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Further, many vehicles now come with built-in navigation systems that include GPS receivers with digital maps, and you can purchase hand-held GPS navigation units that will give you your position on the Earth (latitude, longitude, and altitude) to an accuracy of 5 to 10 meters that weigh only a few ounces. The
success
of
60 | www.haulageindex.co.uk
the
logistics
infrastructure relies heavily on pin point accurate navigation. The global market for products and services linked to the satellite navigation is exploding, with growth of up to 30% per year, according to the European Commission. Truck and commercial vehicle drivers know all too well that taking the wrong route can compromise efficiency and safety. Having a proper navigation system designed to provide safe and reliable routing on truck-legal roads is vital and absolutley paramount to run a more efficient workforce. Unlike standard car navigation systems, they calculate efficient routes based on the vehicle profile information,
routing parameters and load type, with additional settings for the transportation of hazardous materials. In a recent survey of 500 UK commercial vehicle drivers (LGV to 7.5 tonnes), When asked if they are using navigation devices appropriate for their vehicle size, almost half (47.9%) of respondents said they were not. This is despite an overwhelming 92% reporting that commercial vehicle-specific navigation would improve safety in their job. Almost half (47.9%) of the drivers surveyed however are not being provided with an appropriate navigation device for their vehicle size by their employer. As a result, over a third (36.7%) of truck drivers use a navigation app on their personal smartphone that is designed for use in a car. Needless to say, this increases the risk of drivers taking a route that is inappropriate for their vehicle weight, size or load. The consequences include wasted miles and fuel, fines or, in extreme cases, accidents. The findings that so many respondents are using inappropriate satellite navigation systems should be alarming to fleet managers. It is important that employers properly equip their drivers for the job, and that they understand the fundamental difference in the GPS navigation needs of the commercial vehicle driver compared to those of an average car driver. By providing
employees with a truck-specific navigation solution, fleets not only help ensure the safety of their driver and the wider public, but can also substantially reduce costs. The survey also delves a little deeper into the consumer expectations and pressures of the on-demand society. In today’s era of same day deliveries it is vital that drivers avoid making routing mistakes in trying to meet tight delivery schedules. Half (52.7%) of the drivers surveyed feel that the pressure of the job has resulted in their taking a route that is not appropriate for their vehicle. 37% of respondents added that tiredness was the greatest threat to safety, yet 38% don’t take the recommended rest break every two hours. In addition, the average break is just 27.03 minutes. The research also found that as many as 30% - 40% of accidents involving heavy trucks are caused by driver tiredness. In addition, every year there are dozens of reported incidents in which truck drivers have caused severe disruption by using navigation systems meant for cars. It’s vitally important that employers address these issues, giving drivers the tools and training they need to carry out their duties safely. By embracing technology, fleet managers can solve many of these day-to-day challenges, improve punctuality, ease pressure as well as find a good spot to rest or to get a bite to eat! www.haulageindex.co.uk | 61
Where best-in-class navigation and business applications come together
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FOR THE FIRST TIME, BUSINESSES CAN DEVELOP APPLICATIONS, POWERED BY TomTom NAVIGATION TECHNOLOGY, ALL ACCESSED VIA A SINGLE DEVICE
omTom Bridge enables the seamless integration of TomTom technology with applications to help businesses achieve their efficiency goals. For the first time, businesses can develop applications*, powered by TomTom navigation technology, all accessed via a single device.
possibilities to every business that runs a fleet of vehicles.” says Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director at TomTom. “We have designed TomTom Bridge to be an easy and flexible way for businesses to develop applications that seamlessly connect to TomTom technology. TomTom Bridge offers a new way for any type of business TomTom Bridge helps businesses who on the move to harness the power of our manage a fleet of vehicles, work smarter technology to work more efficiently, saving and move faster. A TomTom platform for time and money.” developers enables businesses to easily integrate their own applications with For businesses looking for a more TomTom navigation technology. Businesses comprehensive solution to manage their can now access all their applications via fleet, TomTom has a range of options. At the a single TomTom Bridge device, further same time, TomTom will launch a version of increasing efficiencies. TomTom Bridge integrating WEBFLEET***, one of the world’s most reliable and robust Built for life on the road, the TomTom fleet management platforms. To see Bridge Bridge device has a rugged, industrial in action, visit TomTom at Commercial design, 7-inch screen, unique interface and Vehicle 2016 and Multimodal 2016. powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The device comes with lifetime TomTom For more information and to see TomTom Maps and award-winning TomTom Traffic. Bridge in action, visit www.tomtom.com/ It includes innovative features such as Near- bridge Field Communication, camera, WiFi** and a 3G modem. UK distribution by Nemesis GB Ltd. Call 01905 720170 or visit www.nemesisgb. “TomTom Bridge opens up a world of com * TomTom navigation API and platform SDK make it straightforward for other companies own developers to integrate Android-based apps with our TomTom navigation software. ** It also brings an easier way to update content via Wifi or SD card. *** The TomTom PRO 8270 solution
62 | www.tomtom.com/bridge
WHERE NAVIGATION AND BUSINESS APPLICATIONS COME TOGETHER
MEET US AT MULTIMODAL, BIRMINGHAM, 10-12 MAY STAND 327
Fleets get smart with mobile phone technology The range of apps available to fleet managers and drivers is legion
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he proliferation of mobile devices has radically changed the way companies work. People plan and live their lives by them and expect their work environment to be equally accessible and efficient. Gone are the days when companies insisted that work was undertaken on the corporate Blackberry, it has become accepted practice for employees to use what suits them and BYOD – bring your own device – is the norm. Frost & Sullivan estimates there will be 80 billion connected devices by 2020 and by 2018 there will be 6.2bn mobile users worldwide (Source: Radicati). Mobile technology is also changing the jobs of fleet and travel managers, roles which are slowly converging. According to Mobility Solutions: Driving Your Company Ahead of the Competition, a paper produced by Drive Software Solutions and Asset Finance International, in the future, 64 | www.haulageindex.co.uk
the aim of fleet managers and transport operators will be to offer the user access to a broad mix of mobility options, including short-term rental, train, bus, tube and planes, all available via a single touch on a smartphone. Meanwhile, what applies to the wider world also applies to fleet. In a recent Fleet News online poll, 44% of respondents said they or their drivers used smartphones or tablets to manage company vehicles, 53% do not while 3% were planning to. In addition, the latest Corporate Vehicles Observatory (CVO) Barometer research from Arval shows that 44% of UK-based respondents at companies with 100 or more employees find mobile phone apps a useful fleet management tool, as do 27% of smaller organisations. The range of apps available to fleet
managers and drivers is legion. There are dedicated tools that deal with one area such as mileage capture or driver behaviour and, inc- reasingly, wholelife vehicle management – from ordering vehicles to checking that mileage does not exceed the contract agreement. According to respondents to the study, the top six most useful app functions are access to company car policy, services locator, services booking, driver behaviour, remote access to car data and consolidated dashboard. However, there is a risk that fleet managers will be swamped by all this data. “Too many fleet decision makers become slaves to data capture and then do nothing with it,” says Martin Evans, managing director of Jaama. “Information captured should act as the basis for implementing change, whether in respect of replacing expensive-to-maintain vehicles, changing operating cycles or maximising vehicle uptime.” Finally, as the number of platforms on which devices operate proliferates, there is a move back to websites and portals, which ensures they are compatible with all types of mobile device. If there was any doubt as to the value of mobile technology to fleet managers, some companies have designed technology to fit their purpose, including Kelly Fleet Services, whose defect app has been upgraded to be more user friendly and is a mobile app, instead of requiring users to go through the website. MotorwayBuddy, A leading APP which helps truck drivers and haulage companies
operate more safely and efficiently through mobile technology, Is an excellent tool to help run a more efficient fleet. Drivers can use the APP to find a safe and secure place to stop overnight and will get a complete realtime view of key information such as price, spaces available and other facilties. Haulage companies can use the APP as MotorwayBuddy’s system enables realtime incident reporting (vehicle, load damage) straight from a drivers mobile, alongside digital drivers checklists that automatically upload to audit compliance, MotorwayBuddy also simplifies driver expenses, enabling digital transactions for truck stops, truck washes and weighbridges. Another leading APP is TruckCom, a smartphone based fleet management system. Truckcom is a powerful HGV fleet management system based on a driver Smartphone app and a powerful web based office system. It’s flexible, easy, and low cost. There’s nothing to install in the vehicle, and their driver app works on Android, iPhone, and Windows Phone - so just about all the phones out there will run it. One of its main features is it’s tracking ability, Unlike other fleet tracking systems, Truckcom requires no installation – it tracks the positions of your drivers’ smartphones. It’s easy to use, flexible, and very low cost. It includes all the features you expect from a Tracking system, including satellite imagery, minute by minute history, and geofence warnings. www.haulageindex.co.uk | 65
PARKING AT OVER 60 SITES AROUND THE UK Maintaining your drivers and their loads safety is of the upmost importance to all haulage companies, yet processing your drivers weekly expenses is a time consuming and costly process and the thought of using a credit account can be one more thing to worry about.
load reporting
availability & price
daily checks
crime reporting
traffic alerts locate truckstops/washes view facilities/images
Powe Powered by MotorwayBuddy, BuddyPay is a new convenient way of paying for your driver’s overnight parking. BuddyPa you add funds to your own With BuddyPay, MotorwayBuddy account, then when your drivers park up for the night, they give the registration details of the vehicle they are in to the truck stop. The money is then drawn down from the account and the night out is paid for. Should your account begin to run low on funds, you can set a balance alert so an email is sent to you to remind you to top it up! With all of the BuddyPay sites being shown on the MotorwayBuddy app, there is no reason your driver or load should park insecurely again.
motorwaybuddy.co.uk / +44(0)161 956 3500
Truckcom and TomTom form partnership to streamline SEA Transport’s fleet management
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EA Transport provide a complete logistics solution in the maritime container and UK distribution markets. They have been using Truckcom since June 2013 and in December 2014 moved over to Truckcom ST, Truckcom’s new cloud based office system. SEA Transport have been using every aspect of Truckcom, including its fully featured Transport management System, electronic POD, tracking and vehicle checks for over two years. Managing Director Frazer Smith says “We’re delighted with Truckcom. They were able to take our business to the next level” SEA Transport have recently procured TomTom’s Webfleet system for over the air Tacho, driver behaviour and fuel economy information and additional built in tracking. They approached Truckcom to investigate the possibility of integrating the two systems. Investigations showed Truckcom and Webfleet to be very complementary to one another and Truckcom have been able to modify their system to link effectively with Webfleet. Frazer says “Truckcom
68 | www.truckcom.co.uk
understand the sector and have a can do attitude. If we need changes, they’re done quickly, with no additional cost to our business” Webfleet’s built in wireless device provides tacho and driver behaviour information and a truck specific satnav. Part of what makes the integration of the two systems work so well is that the TomTom satnav is also an Android device that will run the Truckcom mobile app. By running Truckcom mobile on the Webfleet device the user can then pick up and send out all the necessary data to take full advantage of Truckcom’s Fleet Management system. As a result of the liaison required with TomTom to make this work for SEA Transport, Truckcom have become an official TomTom partner, an arrangement that will enable other fleet operators to benefit from the integrated use of these two complementary systems in the future.
Tracking - POD - Walkaround Checks We're delighted with Truckcom. They were able to take our business to the next level
Frazer Smith SEA Transport
Truckcom is a new way of managing your fleet using the Truckcom driver App together with our powerful web based office system. No tracking boxes to finance or installations to plan - you just use the driver’s phone. Even better, everything is Pay As You Go with no contract and nothing to pay up front
Interested? It’s easy to get started
1
Sign up for your free 30 day trial at truckcom.co.uk No credit card or bank details are required
2
Your drivers download the App, you give them their passwords and you’re up and running
3
Any questions? Just give us a call. There’s lots of help and guidance online as well
0800 6444 821 truckcom.co.uk
Stop Fuel Theft
Increasing numbers of truckers and haulage companies are being target by fuel theifts
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uel is a costly enough purchase at the present as is. However, increasing numbers of truckers and haulage companies are being made to pay out unnecessary additional funds to replace fuel that has been drained from their tanks. Criminals across the UK have developed a new method of getting fuel for free by drilling holes into the petrol tanks and draining hundreds of pounds worth of fuel into containers for their own personal use, or for sale on the black market. Over the past fortnight, eight trucks across Brentwood and Chelmsford were targeted for their fuel whilst their drivers slept in the cab. It has been reported that several groups have been 70 | www.haulageindex.co.uk
involved in the thefts, with up to 1000 litres of fuel being stolen. Recently, two CLIC Sargent charity vans were hit with similar fuel theft when thieves drilled their tanks, making off with £100 of diesel from each vehicle. Despite the charity finding £400 to replace the one of the vehicles’ tanks, the same heist happened again three days later. Across the past few years, police forces have reported a 100% increase in reports of fuel theft, with thefts directly from garage forecourts also costing the industry £22million-per-year. A group of thieves also tried to siphon 15,000 litres of fuel from an on-site storage tank at a coach yard in Thetford,
Norfolk earlier this year. The group fortunately failed to complete their theft, but have instead left up to 4000 litres of fuel seeping into the River Thet. As such, it now seems that nowhere is safe for tankers to keep their fuel. To protect your vehicle, here is a brief guide on how to prevent fuel theft: Avoid parking lorries up for the night with full tanks If a lorry’s tank is full when it parks up for the evening, it is likely that a greater volume and value of fuel will be stolen as the driver sleeps. Ask your drivers to consider only half-filling tanks, refuelling little and often as opposed to a full refill once a week. Also locate safe compounds for your drivers to park up in overnight, to improve the security of both your vehicles and their fuel. Consider installing anti-siphon devices Anti-siphon companies are readily available on the internet, that manufacture and sell small, fuel theft prevention devices for you to install into your vehicle. Keep stored fuel secure If your company keeps fuel on-site at your main compound ensure that the storage container is kept highly secure, in a multi-lock building with CCTV focussed on it. CCTV is an excellent deterrent for prospective thieves, whilst
having to break several locks to access ‘the goods’ can be even more off-putting. The security of your commercial vehcle operation splits neatly into three areas: the vehicles, the loads they carry and the people who drive them. Shortcomings in any of these areas could leave your company exposed to high risk. Setting up a security strategy starts when you buy your vehicles Many still don’t come with alarms as standard so it’s well worth paying extra to have them fitted. When setting up a security strategy, it’s important not to forget the drivers themselves, who may be vulnerable to attack while transporting valuable cargoes. They are also liable to be hit by vandals throwing objects into roads, a phenomenon which seems to be increasing recently. There were 1,021 reported incidents of motorists being attacked by thrown objects in 2012, which equates to a staggering average of almost three a day. The county with the highest number of incidents last year was Nottinghamshire, with 279 attacks, while Avon and Somerset was the safest with only six reported incidents.
www.haulageindex.co.uk | 71
Brian Yeardley Continental Choose ‘Predator Tank Alarms’
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ith the constant threat of fuel theft, especially in the UK, Kevin Hopper, Managing Director of Brian Yeardley Continental, has chosen to fit all of its fleet with Predator fuel tank alarms. After carrying out extensive trials, Yeardley’s have opted for the Predator system that protects both fuel pick up pipes on their twin tank trucks & the fuel caps, giving them maximum fuel security. The system also has a driver panic button option fitted in the cab to aid the driver in an emergency situation & with the systems multi acoustic siren the company think it will be a massive deterrent to any would be thief. Kevin Hopper said “The cost of the alarm system fitted to our twin tanks on our trucks is far cheaper than the loss of 1400 litres of fuel at the side of the road plus the damage the thieves do to the tanks, then there is the delay to journey times while things are sorted out so it’s a no brainer really”.
72 | www.predator-cvs.com
About Predator Commercial vehicle Security. Predator is the one stop shop for preventing fuel & catalytic converter theft. We are the only company in the UK that design, manufacture, supply & install our own range of security products for all vehicle makes. Fuel & Catalytic Converter Theft is a continually growing problem throughout the UK & Europe and without protection, you are at risk of incurring the cost of: • Replacing stolen fuel or catalytic converter • Damage to exhaust, wiring & sensors • Damage to fuel tank, fuel cap, fuel sender • Cost of vehicle down time • Cost of replacement vehicle hire • Loss of business • Unhappy customers Can you afford not to protect your vehicles from this expensive crime? For more information please visit www.predator-cvs.com or call 01733 615228
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SECURITY
Fuel Tank Alarms & Security Systems FUEL THEFT is a very costly inconvenience. When considering the cost of:
Stolen fuel. Damage to fuel tank, cap or sender. Vehicle downtime. Loss of business. Loss of customer confidence. The cost of The Predator Tank Alarm will be offset by preventing just one attempted fuel theft.
Predator Tank Alarm System Features: Low current consumption. 120dB battery powered siren. Optional text message alerts. Tamper proof defence standard cable. Protects entire fuel tank against tampering. Ignition Sensing – no driver interaction required. High intensity active deterrent blue led built in to sensor. Additional Outputs for integration with telematics or on board CCTV.
Nationwide Installation & After-sales Care
01733 615228
www.predator-cvs.com
Predator Commercial Vehicle Security, 28-29 Maxwell Road, Peterborough, PE27JE
CLANDESTINE PREVENTION SECURITY GUIDE NEW SECURITY GUIDE IS A MUST READ FOR TRANSPORT OPERATORS & DRIVERS WHO ARE NEGOTIATING BORDERS
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rivers attacked, supply chain at breaking point, £1billion worth of contaminated food dumped – Just a selection of the hard hitting headlines that have been banded about since the ‘Calais Crisis’ was thrust into the public domain. Whilst they may seem provocative they are a fair representation of just how severe the threat has become from illegal immigrants to commercial vehicle operators and their drivers when crossing borders. Commercial Vehicle Security specialist, Maple, has produced a new Security Guide, aimed at transport operators and drivers who must negotiate border crossings. The guide has been produced to assist operators in preventing illegal immigrants from gaining entry to their vehicles; it also details the regulations, what is required of hauliers and drivers, discusses best practice and also looks at additional measures you can consider to improve the security of your vehicle operations. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS – THE TABOO SUBJECT It is estimated that as many as 1in 2 vehicles moving across borders do not have even basic security measures in place to protect their load areas. It is a startling revelation, but is indicative that there is a lack of awareness and understanding surrounding the often perceived taboo subject of illegal immigrants entering vehicles. 74 | www.maplefleetservices.co.uk
“The threat posed by illegal immigrants attempting to access vehicles is not necessarily a new one, however the severity of that threat has significantly intensified. We felt it was important to offer some clarity on the situation and offer guidance of exactly what is expected of carriers who are crossing borders and what can be done to further protect themselves,’ commented Paul Nunn, Marketing Manager for Maple. Official statistics also reveal that Border Force and the French authorities, prevented more than 39,000 attempts to cross the Channel illegally in 2014/15 more than double the number prevented the previous year. Fines to hauliers are also up more than 50% during the same period. What these figures do not show however, is the increasingly desperate measures that migrants are taking to illegally enter the UK, a situation that hauliers and drivers alike must address. ‘At Maple we are passionate about improving security standards within the Commercial Vehicle Industry, with this guide we hope to assist operators in their own effort to tackle this difficult and often sensitive issue. It has already met with much enthusiasm from a very receptive audience,’ concluded Paul Nunn. The security guide is completely free to download, simply visit www. maplefleetservices.co.uk to claim your copy.
Still leaving vehicle security to chance?
For industry leading commercial vehicle security solutions, speak to Maple maple - no one comes close Claim your free vehicle security guide on preventing illegal immigrants from gaining entry to vehicles. www.maplefleetservices.co.uk/securityguide
Call us on +44 (0) 161 429 1580 Visit maplefleetservices.co.uk
Say Goodbye To Empty Loads
Making use of an empty vehicle on a return journey not only makes sense commercially but also environmentally
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educing fuel costs has become ever more important, which is why the concept of the haulage exchange has been such good news for the transport industry. Let’s say your company has a hundred deliveries to make to various parts of the country, from the North East. Let’s also assume there are other companies dotted around the country that have deliveries to make to the North East. Now, if no one talked to each other and just went on their merry ways, here is what would happen. You would send out one hundred lorries to deliver the one hundred deliveries. Once they were done they’d all drive back, empty and ready for the next set of deliveries. In the meantime, the other companies all around the country would deliver things to the south east before heading back empty to their original points, in a reversal of your lorries’ routes. Time to join a haulage 76 | www.haulageindex.co.uk
exchange! With that simplified example you can see how many empty lorries would be going up and down the motorways in this situation. Yet by joining a haulage exchange this problem could be stopped, or at least vastly reduced. The idea is to get in touch with other companies to take loads on their behalf, and for them to take some of your loads too. This means no one has to travel back to their original point with an empty lorry. This is, of course, also far better for the environment because it saves some crucial journeys from being made at all. With fewer empty runs being made, fewer journeys are made overall and all the deliveries still get to where they need to be - on time and without delay. This kind of agreement between companies
works extremely well. It actually means everyone can be a lot more efficient without causing any problems. The environment benefits because there are fewer journeys taking place and fewer unnecessary ones too, and customers benefit because companies are far more efficient. It’s a win-win situation. And, of course, we are also building bridges and connections with other companies for the mutual benefit of both.
be wasted fuel and cost to operators. The rapid growth has been supported by the introduction of a series of technology innovations, which have enhanced the user experience of the exchanges with added visibility and control. This included the launch of interactive corporate and owner driver dashboards designed to save time and improve performance for members by simplifying and streamlining business and operational processes.
So if you are new to the transport business and you haven’t yet got involved with this idea, perhaps now is the time to do so.
Another leading freight Exchange platform is Return Loads, More and more businesses across the country are joining Returnloads. net for finding and exchanging haulage work and courier work. From self employed couriers looking for owner driver work all the way up to international haulage companies with thousands of vehicles, Returnloads. net has helped to improve efficiency and increase revenue whilst reducing empty running.
The Haulage Exchange is fast becoming the UK’s largest independent freight exchange platform with over 12,000 active users running some 30,000 vehicles and 700,000 movements nationwide, Operated by the Transport Exchange Group which has a successful and proven track record of tackling some of the most common and difficult challenges facing the road transport industry today. Their aim is, quite simply, to bring haulage and courier traders together to help them operate more efficiently, more productively and of course, more profitably. Developing a real understanding of t he challenges faced by haulage and courier professionals in today’s m arket place has enabled them to significantly grow throughout 2015 following a 25% rise in the number of loads handled through its leading freight trading platforms. Over 800,000 jobs were posted on the freight trading platforms in the past 12 months. As a result, an average 75,000 loads were posted each month by the exchanges’ 4,000+ active members, equating to more than five million road miles, which would otherwise
Their online haulage marketplace is a central portal for transport companies and the returnloads freight exchange averages 3,000 active loads, backloads and return loads every day creating thousands of opportunities for their members to find available haulage work and courier jobs. Returnloads.net’s freight exchange can help you find delivery work, increase efficency and save money and their subscriptions start from as little as £29.95 per month. With the cost of running vehicles becoming more and more expensive it has become imperative that companies within the haulage industry work closer together in order to maximize the usage of their available resources. Making use of an empty vehicle on a return journey not only makes sense commercially but also environmentally. www.haulageindex.co.uk | 77
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NEXT GENERATION OF ROAD TRANSPORT OPERATORS ADOPTING COLLABORATIVE, TECHNOLOGY-BOOSTED APPROACH TO SUCCESS
or all the hype around ‘smart’ vehicles the fundamentals of road transport continue to be based on running as full, safely and economically. However the age old maxim of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know that matters” can be turbocharged with the a little technology. The ability of a freight exchange to act as a central platform, operating seamlessly with other supply chain and back office systems, is providing a unique opportunity to bring together different systems to achieve some very tangible results. By gathering, analysing and sharing disparate vehicle tracking information, there is a huge opportunity to better use assets to greatly reduce waste and cost. As a result, road transport and logistics businesses now have the opportunity to achieve complete operational visibility to drive smarter, more profitable ways of working. This is supporting a new generation of road transport professional that is embracing collaboration and technological innovation to drive growth. “This next generation of operators are looking at the industry in fresh light to create new growth opportunities and work with likeminded partners,” says Transport Exchange Group’s Head of Business Development Simon Bunegar. “These professionals and future industry leaders are increasingly forward thinking and tech savvy, taking advantage of the latest developments and emerging best practice in the marketplace to boost performance and maximise return on assets.” Over 4,000 active road transport members are now using Haulage Exchange and Courier Exchange to fill available capacity and improve workload. It is helping them to get connected and engage with other operators to develop proven networks and access a virtual fleet of more than 31,000 vehicles. This interactive collaboration, often utilising
integrated telematics, is enabling them to make best use of available resources as well as increase capacity during peak trading periods. For example, North West-based FAT Solutions has transformed it business with the help of Haulage Exchange from a biodiesel producer that operated its own trucks to a road transport business specialising in urgent same-day distribution. According to owner Gary Armstrong: “Our fleet of vehicles are working 24/7 all over the country. The Haulage Exchange has been brilliant, introducing us to a lot of people who we have done a lot of business with. This includes a couple of local companies whose operations complement our own, so we have been able to develop hugely beneficial relationships.” Elsewhere, Rory Ling has been working for his family business, Redhead Couriers, for the past two years and during this time quickly recognised the potential of Courier Exchange. “The Exchange had previously been used within the business to sub contract work we could not handle ourselves, but in the last couple of years we have been promoting our available capacity to remove dead mileage from our operation,” he explains. “The system is so simple and almost instantaneous, making it easy to both post work and fill empty vehicles.” The Transport Exchange Group call this ‘The Value of Visibility’ and it’s already seeing active, tracked members of the Exchange reduce levels of empty running from an industry average of around 30 per cent to less than 10 per cent. A more efficient use of available capacity that is having a dramatic impact on revenue growth, operational performance and even lower environmental impact.
Don’t wait for work
Every 5 seconds in February, one of the quietest months of the year, another load was offered to members on the UK’s busiest exchanges. If you have the capacity for more work then we have members who want to help you fill it...and with payment feedback levels consistently over 99% positive* you can be confident it’s going to be good for your bottom line. *12 months to 1st February ‘16 from 124,568 payment feedback reports
Here at the Exchange we believe you shouldn’t be waiting for work or running empty. See what our members say at:youtube.com/transportexchange To find out more just give us a call on:0208-896-6725
HAULAGE Exchange www.haulageexchange.co.uk
Returnloads.net add free vehicle tracking feature to their freight exchange platform.
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eturnloads.net was founded in 2000. Initially the site was set up purely as a notice board to help haulage companies around the UK advertise their excess loads and find return loads for their empty vehicles. As time went on and new technology became available the founders decided to reprogram and overhaul Returnloads. net in 2006 and turned the site into a fully functioning online freight exchange. This included developing an intelligent load and vehicle matching system which automatically alerted members to available loads and vehicles that matched their requirements. Since then, with ongoing development, Returnloads.net has grown into the leading freight exchange in the UK boasting over 90,000 available haulage loads posted on the platform every month. The platform helps its members improve efficiency by matching their empty vehicles to available loads, it also helps them to cover any excess loads but giving them access to a large network of reliable hauliers. Recently they have introduced an interactive map coupled with free vehicle tracking to the platform which gives members the ability to see where all the available loads are in relation to the exact location of their empty vehicles. The new vehicle tracking feature aims to further optimize member fleet performance and increase their profits. This new feature enables members to track their fleet vehicles and see them on the same map as the 90,000 live loads 80 | www.returnloads.net
which are on offer each month. By taking advantage of this all members can see the whereabouts of their entire fleet at no additional cost. Richard Newbold, founder of Returnloads. net, said: ‘’we recognise the added value that integrating live vehicle tracking with our freight exchange can bring for our members. All of Returnloads.net members will have the ability to see their vehicles wherever they are.’’ ‘’Our freight exchange has a proven track record of increasing the efficiency of our members fleet vehicles and with live vehicle tracking we can help boost efficiency even more. The added visibility will make it easier for our members to utilize available vehicle capacity and make the best choice from the available loads.’’ ‘’It’s a no hassle vehicle tracking solution, no need to buy a GPS unit, just have your drivers install our app and you’re ready to track. As privacy is important we have made it easy for drivers to switch their tracking off at the end of their shift.’’ Richard added that Returnloads.net have ‘’lots of new features in the pipeline’’ which will add value for their members. They are also in discussions with a number of third party technology providers where opportunities exist to help streamline the operation and improve business performance. For more information on the free vehicle tracking feature you can visit www. returnloads.net/gps-fleet-tracking
GRIFFIN FREIGHT SERVICES
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riffin freight services was established in 1991 by father and son Tim and Mick Griffiin and operate all over the UK. Over the past 23 years the company has grown from 2 vans to a fleet of over 50 vehicles, 80 trailers with 40 drivers and 8 office staff. Based in Nottinghamshire, General haulage company Griffin Freight has a large specialized vehicle fleet including 30 articulated vehicles, 9 crane mounted vehicles and 14 rigid vehicles. They also have over 70 trailers of all different types, these include 45ft Curtain sided trailers, Low loaders, 45ft 40ft flat trailers and 33ft rear steer flat trailers. All the vehicles are fitted with mobile phones with parrot kits, tom-tom Web fleet tracking systems and truck friendly sat navs. A major benefit that Griffin Freight has is the fact all their trucks are owned not leased so given the economic struggle recently if the company experienced a downturn some could be taken off the road This is one reason why the company wasn’t effected in the recession and continued steady growth and now business is booming 82 | www.griffinfreightservices.co.uk
they are taking on new customers every week, In fact the company can’t get enough drivers. The company specialise in hauling precast concrete, cable drums, granite and marble & stainless dairy equipment The rising fuel costs make business hard as some customers don’t want the rates to rise, to get around this Griffin Freight try to swallow small rises in fuel but realistically some of the costs has to be passed to the customers. The company are proud members of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and have won the FORS Bronze award. They now plan to progress onto FORS Silver. Part of fors silver is the management of fuel and tyres, the company started informing drivers of mpg of their vehicles and it seems to have started a bit of friendly rivalry to see who can get the best fuel economy, nearly every truck has increased in mpg. Carbon emission output is around 65000kg per week but as new economical vehicles are added to the fleet this will fall.
All makes and sizes of tyres from wheel barrow to earthmover
Tel: 01777 704445
CAMBRIDGE COALVILLE CORBY DOWNHAM MARKET FAKENHAM GREAT YARMOUTH IMMINGHAM KETTON NORWICH
Email: retford@kingswaytyres.co.uk
01223 426507 01530 812455 01536 406668 01366 385566 01328 863331 01463 856086 01469 575177 01780 721332 01603 408000
PETERBOROUGH RETFORD SCUNTHORPE SHEFFORD SPALDING STAMFORD THETFORD WELLINGBOROUGH
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Warning vulnerable road users of the dangers of travelling down the blind side of a heavy goods vehicle.
Audibly and visually warning vulnerable road users of the vehicle’s intention to turn left at low speed.
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