Category Archives: Logistics

Logistics, Logistics Tech, News, Transport

Transport Exchange Group Launches Industry-First Road Transport Data Service To Support Dynamic Freight Pricing

Transport Exchange Group, the UK’s leading online freight exchange platform, is helping its members to operate more dynamically and competitively in a highly volatile marketplace with the launch of an industry-first load pricing data service. Price Per Mile (PPM) will offer simple, timely and accurate insight into changing road transport rates for the first time, so hauliers, couriers and owner drivers can better shape their pricing strategies in real-time.

“The road transport sector has faced a period of unprecedented instability over the past few years because of multiple economic factors such as Brexit, COVID, driver shortages, and the war in Ukraine,” explains Lyall Cresswell, CEO of Transport Exchange Group. “The resulting impact on small-and mid-sized operators in terms of pricing strategy and capacity planning has been significant, so we have launched PPM to provide our members with the business intelligence needed to compete and grow.”

PPM can be tailored by both postcode and vehicle type to provide a weekly update of average, high and low pricing data into and out of a specified area. The aggregated and anonymised information is calculated using data from millions of transactions. The service was initially launched as a pilot involving owner drivers, but it has now been rolled out to all members of the Haulage Exchange and Courier Exchange, with self-service functionality soon to be introduced to simplify the order and delivery process.

PPM follows the introduction of the TEG Road Transport Price Index in November 2021, which provides a monthly, macro-level summary of pricing and market trends to industry operators and policymakers alike. This valuable and validated insight tracks changes in the marketplace using a unique data set, based on many thousands of different freight buyer and seller combinations that that take place on TEG’s online freight exchange platform.

“We are investing heavily in data science as we continue to enhance the functionality and guidance available on our platform. By constantly innovating we can add value to our members and give them the business and operational tools needed to operate profitably and focus on what they do best,” concludes Cresswell.

Logistics

Streamlining Logistics Operations for Efficient Supply Chains

In today’s fast-paced global marketplace, effective management of logistics operations is crucial for businesses to stay competitive. Supply chain efficiency plays a vital role in delivering products to customers promptly and minimising costs. One aspect that significantly impacts logistics management is freight audit. By thoroughly examining freight invoices and ensuring accuracy, a freight audit helps identify billing errors, overcharges, and discrepancies.

 

The Significance of Freight Audit

Freight audit serves as a fundamental process for businesses that rely on transportation services to move their goods from one location to another. With the increasing complexity of shipping networks, the chances of errors in freight invoices rise exponentially. The freight audit process enables businesses to review and validate invoices, ensuring that they align with the agreed-upon rates, tariffs, and contractual obligations. By verifying the accuracy of freight invoices, businesses can identify and rectify billing errors promptly, leading to significant cost savings.

 

What is a Freight Audit?

A freight audit is a systematic process of reviewing, verifying, and analysing freight invoices and related documents to ensure accuracy and compliance with contractual agreements. It involves scrutinising various aspects of transportation expenses, such as freight rates, accessorial charges, fuel surcharges, and other cost components. The main objective of a freight audit is to identify billing errors, overcharges, and discrepancies, and to recover any rightful refunds or credits owed to the company.

 

The Benefits of Freight Audit

  1. Cost Reduction and Recovery

Freight audit plays a pivotal role in cost reduction and recovery by identifying and rectifying overcharges, duplicate charges, and other billing errors. By scrutinising invoices, businesses can recover overpaid amounts and negotiate favourable terms with carriers based on accurate data. This results in significant cost savings and improved profitability.

 

  1. Enhanced Data Visibility

Implementing a freight audit system provides businesses with enhanced visibility into their transportation costs and patterns. By capturing and analysing data related to shipping activities, businesses can identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for optimisation. This visibility enables data-driven decision-making, leading to improved supply chain performance and cost management.

 

  1. Increased Compliance and Contract Adherence

Freight audit ensures compliance with contractual obligations and carrier agreements. By thoroughly examining invoices, businesses can verify that carriers adhere to agreed-upon rates, discounts, and terms. This level of scrutiny promotes transparency, mitigates disputes, and fosters stronger relationships with carriers.

 

  1. Process Standardisation

Implementing a freight audit process enables businesses to standardise their billing and invoicing procedures. By establishing clear guidelines and protocols, businesses can ensure consistency and accuracy in financial transactions. Standardisation streamlines operations, reduces manual errors, and enhances overall efficiency.

 

  1. Operational Efficiency and Time Savings

Automating the freight audit process eliminates the need for manual invoice verification, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. By leveraging technology and specialised software, businesses can streamline their audit procedures, reducing administrative tasks and freeing up valuable resources. This enhanced efficiency enables logistics teams to focus on strategic activities and driving business growth.

 

Ensuring Accuracy and Cost Efficiency

Implementing a freight audit process involves carefully examining and verifying freight invoices to identify errors, overcharges, or incorrect billing. By implementing a robust audit process, businesses can achieve the following benefits:

 

  • Cost Savings

Implementing a freight audit process allows businesses to identify and rectify overbilling, duplicate charges, or inaccurate fees. This helps to reduce costs and prevents unnecessary expenditure on shipping services. By auditing invoices, companies can negotiate fair rates with carriers and optimise their transportation spend.

 

  • Enhanced Data Visibility

A well-implemented freight audit process provides valuable insights into transportation data. It allows businesses to track shipping patterns, identify areas of improvement, and make data-driven decisions. By analysing this data, companies can identify trends, optimise routes, and improve overall supply chain efficiency.

 

  • Improved Vendor Compliance

Implementing a freight audit process encourages carrier compliance with agreed-upon service levels and contractual terms. By monitoring invoices, businesses can ensure that carriers adhere to negotiated rates and meet performance expectations. This helps maintain healthy relationships with carriers and enables businesses to hold them accountable.

 

  • Error Prevention

Freight invoices often contain errors or discrepancies, such as incorrect weight or classification. Implementing a robust audit process helps catch these errors before they become costly mistakes. By double-checking invoices, businesses can minimise the risk of inaccuracies and prevent unnecessary financial losses.

 

Key Steps to Success

Implementing a freight audit process is essential for businesses looking to streamline their logistics operations and optimise cost management. By thoroughly reviewing and validating freight invoices, businesses can identify discrepancies, billing errors, and overcharges. In this section, we will explore the key steps involved in implementing a successful freight audit process.

 

Step 1: Define the Scope and Objectives

To begin, clearly define the scope and objectives of the freight audit process. Determine which invoices, carriers, and shipping modes will be included in the audit. It is crucial to establish measurable goals, such as cost reduction targets and accuracy benchmarks. This step provides a solid foundation for the entire audit process.

 

Step 2: Select a Reliable Freight Audit Provider

Consider partnering with a reputable freight audit provider that specialises in auditing services and offers advanced tools and expertise. It is essential to evaluate their track record, industry experience, and technological capabilities to ensure they can meet your business requirements. A reliable freight audit provider will help streamline the auditing process and ensure accurate results.

 

Step 3: Collect and Integrate Data

Gather relevant data from various sources, including transportation management systems and carrier invoices. It is essential to integrate this data into a centralised system or software that facilitates efficient analysis and reporting. By consolidating data from different sources, businesses can gain comprehensive visibility into their transportation costs and patterns.

 

Step 4: Conduct Thorough Invoice Review

The next step involves conducting a thorough review of freight invoices. This includes verifying the accuracy of rates, tariffs, and contractual obligations. By comparing invoices against the agreed-upon terms, businesses can identify any billing errors, overcharges, or discrepancies. This careful examination helps ensure that invoices align with the actual services provided.

 

Step 5: Identify and Resolve Discrepancies

During the audit process, it is common to uncover discrepancies or billing errors. Once identified, it is crucial to promptly resolve these issues with the respective carriers or vendors. Effective communication and negotiation skills are vital to rectify discrepancies and recover any overpaid amounts. Resolving discrepancies promptly helps businesses maintain good relationships with carriers and avoid future billing errors.

 

Step 6: Implement Automation and Technology

To streamline the freight audit process and improve efficiency, businesses should leverage automation and technology. Implementing specialised software or utilising transportation management systems can automate invoice verification, data analysis, and reporting. Automation reduces manual errors, saves time, and enables logistics teams to focus on strategic activities.

 

Step 7: Continuously Monitor and Evaluate

Once the freight audit process is in place, it is important to continuously monitor and evaluate its effectiveness. Regularly review audit results, cost savings achieved, and any recurring issues. This ongoing evaluation helps identify areas for improvement and allows for adjustments to the audit process to ensure its continued success.

 

Conducting freight audits is a strategic decision for businesses aiming to optimise their logistics operations and achieve supply chain excellence. By uncovering billing errors, ensuring contract compliance, and improving financial visibility, freight audits contribute to cost savings, operational efficiency, and informed decision making. Embracing a robust freight audit process positions businesses for success in today’s dynamic and competitive business landscape.

Logistics, Logistics Tech, News, Tech

New Ivanti Wavelink Report Shows 85% of Supply Chain Professionals Plan to Invest in Technology to Increase Productivity in the Next Year

Ivanti Wavelink, the supply chain business unit of Ivanti, today announce the results of its “Heavy Lift: Supply Chain Trends for 2023.” Ivanti Wavelink worked with more than 200 warehouse workers, drivers, line workers, warehouse managers, analysts, customer support specialists, and C-suite to gauge the current state of the supply chain.

A key takeaway from the survey is that technology increasingly plays an important part in productivity as labor challenges continue. The survey indicates it’s difficult—and critical—to get and keep the right people in the right roles, and respondents are looking to intuitive technology to help workers do their jobs as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Respondents’ concerns over labor shortages and enabling worker productivity were consistent—and significant – throughout the study. Time to train the workforce (52%) and high turnover (50%) were the most-noted workforce challenges. Additionally, 41% also cited the need for digital upskilling.

To help address these concerns, organizations are embracing technology and automation to enhance worker experience and productivity. Around 85% of respondents plan to invest in new technology and/or build upon existing technology in the next year, with more than half (53%) indicating they intend to increase automation by up to 30%.

The right technology can be leveraged to make warehouse jobs easier, more efficient, more productive, and with far less physical burden. The most-used tools were hand-held mobile computers with barcode scanners (58%) and tablets (50%). Wearable computers and automated picking tools are currently less utilized but trending upwards, with respondents indicating that these tools are the top items they plan to invest in throughout the next year.

Tech that’s easy to deploy and is ultra-dependable could accelerate adoption. The survey says that reliability/uptime is the biggest consideration when evaluating new tech (69%), but other concerns are close behind: ease of deployment (67%), ease of learning (63%), and adaptability—characterized as a system that can quickly react to needed changes (63%).

“With the current shortage of available labor, many industries are better equipping their teams with technologies that help them optimize workflow. By embracing technology to help streamline operational efficiency, organizations can increase productivity, reduce costs, save time, and improve customer satisfaction,” said Brandon Black, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Ivanti Wavelink. “Additionally, by implementing technology and automation that uses real-time data, companies can gain end-to-end visibility that allows them to evaluate information more efficiently and be more agile in mitigating issues.”

According to the IDC White Paper Next-Generation B2B Integration Enables a Digital-First, Resilient Supply Chain, “Organizations of all sizes need to speed up their transformation initiatives to increase flexibility, agility and visibility for a more resilient supply chain. Digitizing supply chains through modern integration, automation and secure and connected ecosystems makes it easy to manage information flows and uncover the insights to ensure continued operations, even in the face of major disruptions.”1

 

Read the full survey report here.

—-

1 IDC White Paper, sponsored by OpenText Corporation, Next-Generation B2B Integration Enables a Digital First Resilient Supply Chain, doc # CA49778622, January 2023.

 

About Ivanti Wavelink:

Ivanti Wavelink is a global leader in supply chain solutions that focus on task worker operational excellence in business-critical environments. Over 25,000 customers have deployed Ivanti Wavelink solutions to accelerate warehouse operations, reduce risks, and increase productivity through intelligent insights and automation. Our market-leading mobile enterprise platform, combined with our innovative mobile and IIoT solutions, can enhance task worker productivity at the edge and drive efficiency and profit to the bottom line. Ivanti Wavelink is part of Ivanti, a global technology company that enables and secures Everywhere Work. Ivanti is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah and has offices all over the world. For more information, visit www.ivanti.com/wavelink.

 

Logistics, Logistics Tech, Technology, Telematics

Role Of Telematics In Running An Efficient Fleet Management Company

Telematics systems are typically used to provide vehicle monitoring and communication services by corporations or service providers in the automotive or fleet management industries. Vehicle Telematics is what allows for real-time vehicle monitoring. A characteristic attributed to transforming the transportation business by making operations more transparent and technologically advanced.

The system entails supervising and managing fleets to guarantee that operations run smoothly. Driver monitoring, vehicle maintenance, route planning, and fuel usage analysis are all examples of fleet management duties.

On a lesser scale, this may be done by a small team. Yet, when operations expand, businesses use fleet management software or telematics solutions to save operating expenses.

Read on to learn more about telematics and how it helps run an efficient fleet management company.

Why is Telematics System Needed Today?

Telematics has carved out an important place for itself in a variety of sectors and businesses. Certain companies would not exist without an effective telematics system, whether it be ride-sharing applications, public transportation, or, to a lesser extent, logistics and fleet management services. 

To grasp the significance of telematics, one must first understand the questions that telematics answers. The response varies according to the industry and service.

What Exactly are telematics systems?

Telematics is the transmission of data over great distances. It brings together two scientific fields: telecommunications and informatics.

Telematics systems (also known as fleet telematics) use GPS technology, sensors, and onboard diagnostic codes to collect data. This data includes engine diagnostics in real-time, car location, driver behavior, and vehicle activity. A telematics system typically includes the following elements:

  1. Software system for fleet communication
  2. GPS tracking system
  3. Interface with the engine
  4. Interface for input/output
  5. SIM card
  6. Accelerometer
  7. Buzzer

How Does Telematics Systems Work?

A telematics system sends, receives, and stores telemetry data via the vehicle’s GPS tracking device. Using a SIM card, the gadget connects to the onboard diagnostics (OBD-II) port or CAN bus port. It also communicates with the company’s central server over a wireless network using an inbuilt modem.

The telematics system gathers GPS and vehicle-specific data, which it communicates to the central server through various ways (cellular network, satellite communication, 4G mobile data, General Packet Radio Service). The server analyses the data and displays the results to end users via a secure website or mobile app.

The telematics system collects the following data about the fleet vehicle;

  • Rapid acceleration and speed
  • Usage 
  • Fuel consumption 
  • Maintenance issues 
  • Harsh driving incidents 
  • Idling time 

With this data fleet managers can create reports on specific drivers and vehicles as well as the entire fleet.

What are the Applications of Telematics for Fleet Management?

Telematics systems can be used for various purposes in fleet management. Listed below are some of the applications of telematics:

  • Driver and vehicle tracking 
  • Management of fuel
  • Safety and Compliance 
  • Route planning and optimization 

What Is the Role of Telematics in Running an Efficient Fleet Management Company?

Fleet telematics solutions improve overall performance and operational flow efficiency. Here are some concrete benefits that fleet management businesses get from using telematics:

1. Vehicle performance can be optimized with telematics 

Telematics fleet services enable managers to monitor all aspects of their fleet and prioritize and allocate resources depending on performance. Each vehicle’s sensors capture data on vehicle speed and condition, which is subsequently used during maintenance. This proactive measure guarantees that each vehicle is always utilized appropriately and in excellent shape. Excessive idling is also detected by the sensors.

2. Telematics helps to collect real-time vehicle data

Telematics tracking gives near-real-time information on vehicle positions, regardless of how many vehicles are on the road. This greatly expands the scope of remote control, allowing fleet managers to detect problematic routes, issue directions, and confirm that the vehicle has fulfilled its assigned mission. Because all data is kept on a tracking server, authorized users may view the vehicle’s history as well as its current location.

3. Telematics helps gather predictive insights 

Unforeseen catastrophes can be devastating to a business and drive up costs, but predictive analytics can help ease the damage or prevent it entirely. These insights are produced from real-time sensor data and contextual data that telematics fleet software can access. This capacity to track and keep up with maintenance can help to decrease downtime and maintenance expenses in the long term.

4. Increase productivity with telematics

Another important role of fleet telematics is that it makes individual driver performance transparent and shows where they offer the most value. As a result, the staff is more productive and efficient. It also provides high-quality customer service and helps fleet managers to monitor driver health and concerns.

5. Telematics help improve driver safety 

Fleet telematics systems are useful in monitoring and preventing harmful driver safety concerns such as severe turning, speeding, sudden acceleration, and seatbelt usage. They accomplish this by making individual drivers more visible and accountable, as well as ensuring two-way communication to assure safety during the voyage.

6. Operational cost is significantly reduced with telematics 

Operational costs tend to accumulate as a result of tiny, unexpected purchases or repairs. Fleet managers may decrease expenses by tracking every transaction and determining where the budget is going. Fleet managers can also guarantee that resources are appropriately deployed and that preventive maintenance is performed to avoid unexpected costs in the future.

7. Telematics helps to improve business communication 

Since all collected data is stored on a centralized server, corporate stakeholders are more likely to be on the same page. Telematics also makes communicating between drivers and managers, drivers, and managers and teams easier. This multi-level communication flow assures that there are no misunderstandings.

8. Fuel cost is reduced with the help of telematics 

Fuel usage may add up quickly for a corporation that operates fleets, but telematics solutions can substantially minimize those expenditures. Speed, idling maintenance, and route selection all have a direct influence on fuel consumption; the data acquired from cars may be utilized to enhance performance and, as a result, cut fuel expenditures. It may also identify regions of excessive fuel usage and patterns across vehicle kinds, routes, and even individuals.

Conclusion 

Choosing the correct telematics solution provider is critical for a smart fleet-operating firm since telematics management solutions improve fleet efficiency and automate operations, freeing up human resources. With the above-mentioned points, one can understand the role of telematics in running an efficient fleet management company. In the long term, they minimize operational expenses while maximizing the usage and life of current machinery, transforming the unit into a progress-driven one.

Carbon Reduction, E-Commerce, Logistics, News, Transport

Could Cargo E-Bikes be the solution to the last mile delivery challenge?

Written by Sam Whitmore, Chief Marketing Officer, Cityshuttle

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the growth of e-commerce worldwide, but as home deliveries increase we are likely to see a worrying rise in carbon from last mile deliveries. The question is – could cargo e-bikes be the answer?

According to Oberlo’s 2021-2026 forecast, global e-commerce sales are projected to reach $6.3 trillion in 2023. However, while the increased sales are welcome, the increase in carbon emissions resulting from a rise in last mile deliveries is becoming a growing concern.

The term “last mile delivery” refers to the final step in the delivery process, which is typically from a distribution center or warehouse to the end customer. This stage of delivery is often completed by diesel-powered vehicles that contribute significantly to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Gartner VP, Tom Enright, stated in an article for Freightwaves that 53% of shipping costs and 41% of total supply chain costs are tied to the last mile. This is due to the fact that these deliveries are often made using inefficient vehicles that are not designed for urban environments, leading to increased congestion and emissions – and if the issue is not tackled, a 32% increase in carbon emissions is expected by 2030.

In addition to the emissions-related issues is the additional congestion these vehicles bring to already overcrowded city roads. This often results in late deliveries for customers and missed delivery slots for commercial operators.

To address this problem, there has been a growing interest in using cargo e-bikes for last mile deliveries. Cargo e-bikes are electrically-assisted bicycles that are designed to carry large and heavy loads. They offer several benefits over traditional delivery vehicles including reduced emissions, increased efficiency, and improved access to areas that are difficult to reach with larger vehicles.

A study by the European Cyclists’ Federation found that cargo e-bikes emit 90% less CO2 than diesel-powered delivery vans and have a significantly lower cost per kilometer. They also have the potential to reduce congestion and improve air quality in cities, as they take up less space on the road and produce no emissions.

Cargo e-bikes are already being used for last mile deliveries overseas. DHL Express has introduced cargo e-bikes in several European cities, including Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris, while Amazon has launched a pilot program in New York City to test the use of cargo e-bikes for deliveries.

While it looks like Cargo e-bikes are likely to be the city delivery vehicle of choice to solve the last mile challenge, they are already offering a viable option for families who need to travel around cities with shopping and children.

Sales of e-bikes are expected to increase rapidly amid the cost of living crisis in London, with families no longer willing to pay the congestion charge or sit burning fossil fuels in traffic for shorter road journeys.

Cargo e-bikes offer good range, can carry a shopping load safely and provide healthy exercise in a fun and enjoyable way.  With many cities now gradually moving to the ’20 minute model’ demand is likely to increase further.

Cars and trucks are likely to remain, at least for the foreseeable future, the ideal mode of transport for longer journeys.  However, as cities look to reduce pollution and improve health, cargo e-bikes offer a promising solution. When you consider their ability to reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and improve access to urban areas – what’s not to love?

 

Fleet Management, Logistics, Logistics Tech, News, Technology

SECUREFORCE TARGETS FLEET SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS WITH INSEEGO’S AI DASHCAM

SecureForce UK, a mobile and manned security specialist, has adopted an AI dashcam solution from Inseego with the aim of improving road safety, reducing operational costs and mitigating fleet risk. The intelligent vehicle cameras have been installed on the company’s fleet of vans that are operated by a team of security officers across Devon, Berkshire, Hampshire and Wiltshire.

SecureForce was previously using a vehicle tracking system – combined with forward-facing cameras in some vans – which no longer met its operational needs. The company was looking for a video telematics solution that could deliver fleet visibility, incident detection, video capture and driver behaviour monitoring. Following a review of the marketplace, SecureForce opted for Inseego’s AI vehicle cameras based on the affordability and functionality of the technology.

The Inseego devices combine forward-and driver-facing technology, using machine vision and artificial intelligence (MV and AI). The forward-facing camera captures footage of the road ahead, while the driver-facing lens provides added insight of distraction within the vehicle such as mobile device use, eating and drinking, and eyes off the road. The MV-and AI-capabilities combine to identify and assess risk in and out of the vehicle, so the driver can be notified of issues and footage uploaded to the cloud for review by the fleet manager.

 

Marc Wain, Operations Director at SecureForce UK Ltd commented: “We are already achieving value from the AI camera solution, with the increased functionality generating clear benefits. The ability to receive notifications of seatbelt misuse has been a particularly useful, especially as our drivers make over 50 stops per shift. Meanwhile, live view enables our office-based staff to provide guidance to drivers, if they are struggling to find a site, while supporting lone worker protection when they are operating out-of-hours or in high risk environments.”

 

Steve Thomas, Managing Director of Inseego UK Ltd commented: “Our AI dashcam delivers advanced video telematics that not only captures tracking and video data, but also tackles fleet risk as it happens by detecting and helping drivers to self-correct dangerous or distracted behaviour. As a result, we are seeing growing demand for AI-enabled solutions from businesses, such as SecureForce, that are looking to improve road safety, better protect drivers and reduce associated insurance costs.”

Driving Tech, Logistics, Logistics Tech, News, Telematics

VisionTrack Joins Together For Safer Roads Board To Take A Stand Against Global Road Safety Crisis

VisionTrack, a leading provider of AI video telematics and connected vehicle data, is taking a major new role in the fight against worldwide road deaths and injuries. CEO, Simon Marsh, and President of Global Sales, Richard Kent, have been appointed to the Governing Board of global NGO, Together for Safer Roads (TSR), to help shape the response to the road safety crisis and support the Vision Zero initiative.

 

“We share TSR’s vision to create a world where roads are safer for everyone, so Richard and I are honoured to be joining their Governing Board and expanding our roles within the organisation,” explains Simon Marsh, CEO of VisionTrack. “With traffic fatalities at near historic highs in many countries, there needs to be a collective effort amongst governments, the public and private sectors, health and safety organisations, and technology innovators to prevent these tragic road collisions.”

 

VisionTrack will serve on the board alongside leading executives from Anheuser-Busch InBev, Republic Services and UPS. VisionTrack has a strong relationship with TSR, having started working with the organisation in 2021 and last year entering into a membership agreement. The collaboration to improve road safety is gathering pace, with VisionTrack contributing advanced AI video telematics to TSR’s Truck of the Future pilot program, which aims to eliminate collisions between HGVs and other road users through enhanced driver visibility.

 

Andres Penate, Board Chair and Global VP Corporate Affairs at Anheuser-Busch InBev commented: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are thrilled at this announcement. Together for Safer Roads is at our best when we have innovative, safety-driven companies all working together.  VisionTrack is a leader in their field and will help strengthen our organisation’s ability to drive progress and save lives.”

 

Peter Goldwasser, Executive Director of Together for Safer Roads added: “VisionTrack possesses invaluable road safety, Vision Zero and technology expertise, so we are excited about them joining us and making a major contribution to our global ambitions. Simon founded VisionTrack based on an ethos of reducing injuries and saving lives, having seen first-hand the devastation caused by fatal road incidents, while Richard has spent over 20 years improving road, driver and pedestrian safety for some of the world’s largest fleets.”

 

Richard Kent, President of Global Sales at VisionTrack said: “As true advocates of road safety, we are hugely grateful for the work TSR is undertaking and want to play our part in helping eliminate traffic deaths. VisionTrack is at the forefront of AI-powered fleet safety systems, so our aim is to use our unrivalled expertise to share industry best practice and determine how vehicles can best use the latest technology to avoid road collisions.”

Carbon Reduction, Logistics, News, Thought Leadership Blogs, Transport

Why Improved Shipping Containers Will Have a Bigger Impact on Emissions Than Better Ship Designs

Written by George Kochanowski, CEO and Richard Danderline, CFO, from Staxxon.

As is widely known, 90% of the world’s trade is transported via the oceans in steel containers. With many in the world focused on the perceived impacts of climate change, the shipping industry is under increasing pressure to reduce the emissions created by the world’s merchant fleet, all looking to cut into the 140 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually emitted into the atmosphere.

Improved fuel efficiency and ship design – but fossil fuels remain a major issue in shipping

The world’s ocean carriers have invested millions of research dollars which have yielded significant improvements in fuel efficiency and optimized ship designs. What has not emerged from their efforts is a clear choice to replace fossil fuels with alternate fuels that reduce greenhouse gases with carbon neutral or green fuels.

Some of the world’s leading carriers  have already ordered new ships that incorporate many of these changes with some coming online this year while retiring older generation of ships. Interestingly however, this addition of 30% new capacity over the next three years comes at a time when 24% of the current sailings are being blanked due to the weak global economy. But this new capacity is most assuredly better for the environment  than the ships they are replacing.

Notwithstanding the significant amounts of emissions, the ocean shipping industry itself is but a minor contributor to the total amount of atmospheric emissions when compared to on-road trucks, shipping products by air, or power generating stations.  The emissions  produced from the current generation of ships are acknowledged as the most efficient form of intermodal transport when calculated by ton per mile traveled. Regardless, due to its global reach and immense scale, the total greenhouse gases emitted  is approximately  3% of all carbon dioxide emissions.

Impact of emissions at Terminals and ‘last mile’ have huge impact on carbon footprint

With that perspective, we see that goods are transported in containers by the most efficient way presently available, over significant distances with the minimum exposure to people – out at sea, only to be delivered by trucks for the “last mile” that emit significantly more greenhouse gases per mile than an ocean carrier.

Furthermore, these containers were offloaded, moved, stored, and handled again and again by even more inefficient, fossil fueled vehicles. The process is then repeated when these containers are returned  to shipping terminals, the vast majority of which in Europe and the US,  are empty. These actions, unfortunately, are not conducted out at sea but in densely populated cities.

Introducing greener ships with greener  fuels, unfortunately does nothing to relieve the impact of emissions at the terminals and their surrounding communities – caused by container handling, storage and truck traffic once at port.

Potential Carbon Reduction from New Folding Container Technology

It is here that Staxxon’s new folding container technology can have a significant impact. Staxxon has developed folding technology that allows the ISO standardized steel box to be folded, standing upright, and bundled upright into sets of 2, 3, 4, or even 5 empty containers. These bundled sets move as if they were just the normal box; stacked on a ship in the same way as a conventional container, using all the equipment currently in use to move, stack, transport or lift ISO containers.

This optimization will have a significant positive effect that ripples throughout the entire supply chain including:

  • Delivering 2,3,4, or 5 bundled empties to the terminals using one truck on one chassis can reduce truck emissions by up to 80%
  • Storing 2,3,4, or 5 bundled empties in the space of one container at ground level instead of creating a stack of 5 individual containers
  • Loading a ship in less time allows the ship to leave port sooner and slow steam – cutting a ship’s speed by 10% can reduce fuel consumption by over 15%, further reducing GHG emissions

During the pandemic, major carriers sent empty vessels to pick up ONLY empty containers that had accumulated at the ports. One ship could have picked up 5 times as many boxes had they been using bundled Staxxon folding containers.

Again, during the pandemic, port congestion was a major problem and a cause for great concern. Basically, ports had a massive amount of empties cluttering their storage yards significantly increasing the time needed to load and unload a ship, resulting in an unprecedented queue of ships waiting to dock.

Staxxon’s folding containers would have eliminated most of the port congestion problem if the bundles had just 2 or 3 empties.

Simply stated,  Staxxon folding containers provide a faster, cheaper, and cleaner means to handle the problem of repositioning empty containers and in doing so can make the intermodal shipping industry greener.

To learn more, visit https://staxxon.com/

Automotive Tech, Driving, Driving Tech, Logistics, London, Tech

Jason Laight Joins Pocket Box as Chief Operating Officer

Pocket Box, the vehicle and driver management software specialist, is expanding its senior management team with the appointment of Jason Laight as Chief Operating Officer. The company is targeting rapid growth over the next 12 months, so he is expected to play a key role in the development of its software-and app-based ecosystem for the fleet, road transport and automotive sectors.

In his new position, Laight will be tasked with working across the business to expand Pocket Box’s unique ecosystem, which has been designed to encompass all aspects of vehicle and driver management. This will include enhancing the company’s multi-channel proposition; increasing data integrations with complementary fleet and automotive software solutions; and generating customer demand.

Laight has more than 20 years of experience in telematics, workforce applications and software development, primarily in the fleet, transport and employee management sectors. Most recently, he was Head of Partnerships at Inseego UK, formerly Ctrack UK & Ireland, where he was responsible for developing the company’s indirect sales channel. Prior to this, he has held senior management roles at FIELDMOTION, Romexworld and Cybit.

 

Jim Finnegan, Founder and CEO of Pocket Box Ltd commented: “We are delighted that Jason has chosen to join us on our exciting journey. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role, which will enable us to accelerate our growth strategy and ensure our fleet and automotive technology solutions best meet market needs.”

 

Jason Laight, COO of Pocket Box Ltd said: “I am looking forward to working with our team, partners and customers to help develop sophisticated vehicle and driver management solutions. We are creating a single-entry point to manage a growing number of fleet applications and third-part automotive services. This unique ecosystem will enable Pocket Box to take advantage of opportunities within target sectors.”

Driving, Logistics, Logistics Tech, News, Telematics

Applied Driving Partners with Surecam

Applied Driving has entered into a partnership with video telematics specialist SureCam. Under the agreement, Applied Driving’s online web-application Riskmapp will be integrated with SureCam’s network-connected dash cameras. This will help fleets to enhance driver engagement, by receiving Triggered TrainingTM  in conjunction with the high-quality video footage of driving events.

“We have come together with SureCam to enhance our automated risk reduction solution, Companion+,” explains Andy Phillips, Global Managing Partner at Applied Driving. “As a result, our fleet customers will now be able to complement our existing data capture and analysis with video. This will enable them to achieve even greater safety improvements by helping to identify and eliminate at-risk driver behaviour.”

Video of severe driving events, reviewed by SureCam, will be available to both fleet customers and Applied Driving via Riskmapp. In the first instance, a link to the footage will be sent to the driver alongside a safety message as part of the Triggered TrainingTM functionality within Companion+. It will also provide an effective coaching tool for escalated training requirements, making it possible to use real-life examples to correct negative driving styles.

 

Sam Footer, Partnership Director at SureCam commented: “We believe that this technology has the power to make our roads safer, protecting the lives and livelihoods of fleet drivers, owners, and the communities they serve. By partnering with likeminded industry experts, such as Applied Driving, we can deliver innovative, real-time video solutions that enable fleets to run safer, smarter, and more profitably.”

“We are teaming up with a growing number of fleet and video telematics providers to create automated data feeds into Riskmapp for intelligent driver performance analysis and automated risk reduction. Our latest agreement with SureCam will support our global growth and provide integrated solutions for fleets of all sizes, from large corporates through to small businesses,” adds Phillips