0 What does the future hold for truck fleets in 2018 and beyond?

In-cab technology may be the theme of 2018 for truck drivers and fleet managers

While I don’t have a crystal ball, it’s fun to think about what’s happening in the truck industry and how it might affect fleet management in the future. I looked at a couple of these last year when writing about driverless trucks coming to Brisbane and discussing the era of the Executive Truck Driver.

Now, many believe that driverless trucks will never take off. Not me. I think they could be closer than we think. They’re already being used in mines here in Australia, and road trials are taking place, too. However, for commercial fleets, we’re probably three to five years away from driverless trucks on Queensland’s roads. The technology is here, but laws must be changed. Insurance companies must come on board. Then there are the livelihoods of truck drivers to consider, too. Much work is to be done.

But this year, I think that we could see technology playing an increasingly big part of fleet management, as we move towards a driverless truck environment.

5 trends for truck fleets in 2018

1.    Trucks will ‘connect’ with fleet management

Trucks will be equipped with a lot more technology. Every aspect of the truck’s engine and infrastructure will be monitored in real time. Weather, road, and traffic conditions will be transmitted between vehicles, with drivers alerted in real time. Simultaneously, the same information will be sent to fleet managers.

This type of connectivity will begin to prepare drivers and fleet controllers to work in the new environment, where trucks become autonomous and drive themselves.

2.    Fleet managers will have more control

Advancing technology has helped fleet managers have better control over their vehicles for decades. Once upon a time, when a driver left the depot it would be hours before the fleet manager discovered the driver’s progress on the road.

Today, trucks can be tracked. Technology will allow fleet managers to monitor driver behaviours as well as the condition of the truck. It should enable fleets to retrain drivers who have slipped into bad habits and reduce costs incurred because of those bad habits.

3.    Truck drivers’ jobs are going to start changing

Truck drivers will need to adapt their working practices to encompass new in-cab technologies. Cabs are likely to become more like aeroplane cockpits, with bells and whistles alerting the driver to engine and truck issues, as well as road conditions ahead of them. They will need to interpret data received from other fleet vehicles and take remedial action to ensure their truck keeps moving.

4.    Fleet managers will become data crunchers

Technology advances will make more data available, and fleet managers will need to learn how to analyse and interpret the information that is flooding into the central system hub. New ways of working will, therefore, affect controllers and managers as well as drivers.

Effective analytical skills should enable fleet managers to manage fleets to increase efficiency. Fuel costs should be reduced, and delivery times cut. Vehicles should be safer on the roads.

5.    Fleet safety will become a technology issue

Fatalities in the haulage industry are still too high. It is one of the reasons why the industry is embracing driverless technologies. Before we get to this nirvana, increased technology is likely to become not just accepted, but expected. We already have safety features in trucks (such as lane departure alarms and rear view cameras). Expect more technology in trucks as the industry strives to increase safety on the road and eliminate accidents and fatalities.

The future of fleets is being created in 2018

Some fleets we work with are already embracing the newest technologies. Without a doubt, these technologies are changing the way that fleets work. Driver safety is already being positively affected, as technology reduces human error.

As autonomous, driverless trucks enter the industry and become commonplace in the future, the jobs of truck drivers will change. Many will probably disappear. But the success of autonomous trucks may depend on the success of the technological advances in trucks’ cabs and fleet management in 2018 and 2019.

A certainty is that changes are on their way. 2018 could be the year when we see the fastest change yet in fleet management. It could be the year that sets the scene for a move towards driverless trucks on our roads within a few years.

To find out about our comprehensive services for truck owners and fleets, contact Darra Tyres. Never be stranded on roads in and around Brisbane again – even when most of your trucks are driverless.

Keeping your business and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 How to choose your forklift tyre in Brisbane in 2018

What tyre does your forklift need, and how will it last longer?

Is it time to replace your forklift tyres? Is the top of the tyre worn to the wear line? Is the tyre chipped, slashed, gouged, or damaged? Has it got flat spots or uneven wear?

There are several types of forklift tyre used by businesses in Brisbane. Which type you should buy will depend upon several factors. These include:

• The type of terrain on which the forklift will operate
• How often the forklift is used
• Whether the tyre is to be used indoors, outdoors, or both
• Loads to be carried

In this article, you’ll learn what type of forklift tyre is best for your operation, and how to make your forklift tyres last longer.

Your forklift tyre choice: what are the options?

The main types of forklift tyre available are:

·      Cushion tyres

Ideal for use on smooth surfaces, like concrete floor warehouses, and in facilities where tight turning is a requirement.

·      Pneumatic tyres

These are like the tyres used on cars and trucks: rubber, and with deep tread. They help to cushion the blow between rougher terrain and the forklift, making for a more comfortable operator experience.

·      Solid tyres

These are like pneumatic tyres, except they are not air-filled. Thus, the operator and forklift don’t benefit from the same cushioning effect. However, they don’t puncture, and so last a long time. They are best suited to indoor use, though are also good on smooth outdoor surfaces.

·      Foam-filled forklift tyres

Instead of being filled with air, these tyres are filled with a foam that prevents punctures. They also provide the cushioning of pneumatic tyres.

·      Non-marking tyres

These solid tyres have had carbon black removed, and so are ideal for indoor use where it is important not to mark floors. The downside is that they tend not to last as long because the lack of carbon black shortens their life.

Three ways to extend you forklift tyre life

Whichever type of tyre you buy for your forklift operation, you’ll want to get the best value for money. To do so, it’s essential that they last for as long as possible. There are three things you should do to help forklift tyre life:

1.     Use them properly

Driving correctly on tyres is essential. Sudden braking, spinning, or sharp starts and turns all contribute to tyre wear. Make sure your operators understand that good driving habits are important to maintain tyres, as well as safety standards during operation.

2.     Tyre inflation

Check your tyre inflation pressures regularly, and at least once per month. Make sure the valve has a cap to prevent dirt from getting into the tyre.

3.     Tyre storage

Store forklift tyres in a cool, clean place. Keep them away from oil and dirt.

Only store forklift tyres for a few months – even when not being used, tyre rubber degrades.

Do solid tyres last longer?

We’re often asked if solid tyres are really worth their price. Of course, your choice should first be dependent on your need – where the tyre will be used and what for. Generally, if you look after a solid tyre, it should last up to three times longer than a pneumatic tyre.

Wherever your forklift operates, Darra Tyres has the tyres you need. With more than 100 years of combined experience in the forklift tyre market, you’ll find our personal but professional approach refreshing. Contact Darra Tyres today, and we’ll help you navigate the highly competitive market and select the best forklift tyres from the huge range available.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 7 New Year’s resolutions for every driver in Queensland

How to drive with less stress, more safely, and at less cost

We’re into a new year, and I guess that you may have made plenty of New Year’s resolutions. Probably a few to do with health – losing weight and cutting out those lifestyle vices, such as smoking, perhaps. You may have resolved to get your finances in order, and maybe to get yourself a new, better-paid job.

There are probably very few people who make resolutions to be a better driver and take better care of their vehicle. Here are seven driver resolutions for 2018 that will make driving in Queensland that little bit less stressful.

1.    Keep your car clean inside and out

When you keep your car’s exterior clean, it helps to protect it from all manner of damage. Bird mess, for example, is corrosive. Dead bugs on your windscreen make it more difficult to see all when driving. Muddy headlamps make night driving hazardous. Keeping your car clean helps keep you and other road users safe, and helps to maintain your vehicle’s value.

Take a few minutes every week to tidy the inside of your vehicle, too. Clear out rubbish, and vacuum crumbs from the carpet and seats. Leave a mess in your vehicle too long, and it will stain and start to smell. And that’s not good when you want to sell.

2.    Attend to minor damage quickly

Get those small unfortunate damages attended to quickly, before they become expensive. Most you can deal with yourself, like chipped windscreens and minor scratches to your bodywork.

3.    Check your fluids

Just like a human body, your vehicle can’t function properly without fluids. Get into a routine and check coolant, windscreen washer, and brake and clutch fluid levels. These fluids are vital to your vehicle running smoothly and keeping you safe on the roads in Queensland.

4.    Double-check your oil

Oil is vital to your vehicle. Without it, the engine will seize. While you don’t need to change the oil every few thousand kilometres anymore, make sure that you check oil levels and top up regularly. When you take your vehicle for a service, make sure that the oil is changed.

5.    Value your tyres

There are many reasons why you should check your tyres regularly. Poor tyres affect you and your vehicle. They make it harder to drive and give a rougher ride. You will use more fuel, and you’ll lose grip as you drive corners.

The only way to make sure your tyres are doing the job they’ve been designed to do – provide a safe, comfortable, and fuel-efficient drive – is to check them at regular intervals. Check for:

• Tyre pressure
• Cracks and bulges
• Bald patches and wear and tear

Check out our post about the four tyre safety checks you must do, and do them every fortnight. It only takes a couple of minutes to make sure your tyres are fit for road use. You’ll avoid unnecessary wear and tear, and your vigilance could prevent an accident, as well as save you money.

6.    Drive more skillfully

When did you take your driving test? It’s always worth brushing up on your driving skills. You could invest in an advanced driving course, or take a few online tests to brush up on your road knowledge.

More skilful drivers tend to find their driving costs decrease, too. You’ll drive more safely, and sticking to the speed limits will reduce your fuel consumption. You’ll miss those potholes that do so much damage to your tyres and your car.

7.    Listen to your vehicle

Your vehicle speaks to you, if only you listen. Turn the radio volume down, and listen out for the clues your engine is giving you about its needs. And it’s not just the engine. Do you know what that tyre noise is telling you?

Listening to your tyres is a constant check:

• Squealing tyres could indicate that you need to put some more air in them
• Squeaking tyres indicate uneven wear, usually on the front tyres
• A squeak and rattle says that you have a loose hubcap
• Screeching shows you are cornering too fast
• Rumbling and vibration could mean that a wheel bearing is worn – you must get your car checked
• Grinding is usually caused by worn brakes – it’s time to be scared!

Look after your vehicle, and it will look after you

Every year, we resolve to look after ourselves better. Don’t neglect your vehicle this year. Stick to the seven resolutions above, and you’ll also be looking after your health and your pocket. If you notice any signs of damage, wear and tear, or if your vehicle doesn’t ‘sound or feel right’, get it checked. It could save your life.

Here’s to happy driving in Brisbane in 2018.

For all your tyre needs here in Brisbane, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 With driverless cars and voice technology, you could be the new Knight Rider

The future we watched on TV in the 1980s has arrived

In the 1980s, perhaps the coolest concept for petrol heads was K.I.T.T. – Knight Industries Two Thousand, the incredible (and intelligent) car driven by Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff) in the series Knight Rider.

• Who didn’t marvel at the ability of driver and car to interact by voice?
• And how about the artificial intelligence of K.I.T.T.?
• A car, able to talk, make decisions, and help its ‘master’ upon a voice command?

Of course, back then, the internet wasn’t even a thing. Who’d have thought we would soon be able to speak to our loved ones via video phone – never mind one that fits in your pocket, holds all your data, and on which you could read a whole library, watch films, and listen to hundreds of music albums?

Today, that futuristic vision of driverless cars is here. Soon, we’ll all be driving K.I.T.T. Manufacturers are rushing to get the software into your vehicles. But it’s not all thanks to smartphones that you could be the new Knight Rider.

Google, Siri, and Alexa ­– your in-vehicle friend

Smartphones are great devices. But they have failed to prepare us for a hands-free world. Think about it. Until very recently, everything you did on your smartphone was touch and swipe. Your whole interaction with technology depended on being able to touch it. Touch, tap, swipe. Well, no that is changing.

Over the last couple of years, smart devices have started to be smart. Thanks to Google, Siri, and Alexa, we’re getting used to talking to technology. We’re also getting used to technology being smarter than us. Alexa and Siri know how the weather is anywhere in the world. We only need to ask them. They can find our favourite music, locate an audiobook we always wanted to ‘read’, and help us with our work. All seamlessly and fast.

In-car entertainment is being transformed, too. You thought those switches and levers on your steering wheel were freeing and safer. Now there’s no need to get physical at all. You have fewer distractions. You can concentrate on the road ahead while asking your car to play your favourite tunes.

Navigation by voice is here

Now that we’re getting used to having technology do our bidding when we ask it to, in-car navigation systems are tuning in. Forget the instructions to never play with your Sat Nav while driving. If you decide that you want to take a different route or stop off to eat on the way to your destination, you simply tell your Sat Nav to do so.

Garmin already has voice control, but now it has linked with Alexa. Now, with Garmin Speak, you get hands-free access to Amazon Alexa. Simply ask Alexa to redirect you. “Alexa, ask Garmin to take me to…”. But with Alexa, of course, you get to do a whole bunch of other things while you’re driving. If you suddenly remember you need milk, add it to your shopping list. You can check your diary, find out what the weather is up ahead, or even order a takeaway to arrive when you get home.

So, in-car technology is getting smarter and safer. Yet ordering a takeaway is hardly the stuff that wowed us in the 80s with Michael Knight. K.I.T.T. was like this whole intelligent metallic being. Able to make its own decisions and work hand in hand with the driver. Well, your own personal K.I.T.T. may be closer than you think.

Google Assistant – transforming your car into K.I.T.T.

Google Assistant gives you the ability to interact with your car by voice. It does this by linking up via a small device called AutoPi. This plugs into your car, providing 4G connectivity. You can speak to your car from anywhere. You can log in via any device, and remotely set up your system.

Track your car from wherever you are

With built-in GPS, you can continuously track your car. If it moves, you’ll know about it. Of course, the next step is for your car to alert you to it being hit, or an attempt to steal it. Imagine your phone ringing, and you pick up to hear “Hi, this is your car speaking. I’m currently thwarting an attack on the driver’s door.”

Cool, huh? But now, take it one step further.

Remote control of your car’s functionality

So, you get an alert from your car. You now have a choice. Do you call the cops, or do you take immediate action? How about telling your car to start up, or lockdown? What about a recorded message signalling to the thief that the police have been called? Or how about your car taking off, and coming to you?

Remote control your car and make your life easier

You could have your car start up, and simply drive away from the thieves. A great theft avoidance system, now that driverless trucks and cars are getting close. But there are other uses of remote control, too. Let’s say it’s torrential rain outside. You’re about to finish work, and it’s a ten-minute walk to the open-air car park. Forget that!

Simply tell your car that you’re about to leave work, and you want to be picked up undercover at the front of your office. It will drive to you.

As the 1980s TV series always began…

“Michael Knight, a young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless in a world of criminals who operate above the law.”

Without his K.I.T.T., Michael Knight simply wouldn’t have been the same person. You may not be championing the cause of the innocent, or fighting big-time criminals, but you’ll feel like a lone crusader taking on (and beating) a dangerous world with your own personal K.I.T.T.

To stay up to date with what’s happening with vehicle technology, and to get the best tyre service in Brisbane, contact Darra Tyres.

Keeping you and your family safe on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 7 tips to help forklift operators increase warehouse safety

Habits of the safest forklift operators in Queensland

In our last article, we asked, are your forklift inspection routines putting your business at risk? With around four deaths caused by forklift accidents every year in Australia, in this article, we give you seven tips on how to operate your forklift safely in the workplace. These are the habits of the best forklift operators in Queensland.

1.    Communicate constantly

Even though as a forklift operator you’re in something of a cocoon in the cab, communication with those around you is probably one of the most important things to do. Constantly making sure that people know what you’re doing and where you’re going helps in two ways. First, they’ll be warier of your presence. Second, you’ll be warier of theirs.

2.    Always secure the load

Hard-to-handle loads are more prone to topple. Unevenly distributed loads are more likely to cause forklift instability. Never transport an unsecured load on a forklift: one item falling can lead to a domino effect, and suddenly the entire load has gone.

3.    Plan your route around the warehouse

Warehouses can be busy, complex places. Make sure you know where you are going and how to get there. Some channels may be too narrow or have dangerous obstacles. Operating a forklift can be challenging and enjoyable, but a warehouse is not a slalom course or a racetrack. Always select the easiest and safest route around a warehouse, even if it’s a little further to travel. Be careful of other warehouse users, too: you may have to wait while another process is being completed.

4.    Park up safely when your shift has finished

Always park in an authorised location, lower the fork, set controls to neutral, put the brake on, turn off the ignition, and remove the key.

5.    Inspect your forklift regularly

Your pre-shift forklift inspection is the most important one to make. Check everything from oil and water to seatbelts, electrics, and coolants. Don’t neglect the check: it could save lives.

6.    Pay special attention to battery and hydraulic fluid

Your battery needs to be fully charged, and your hydraulic levels must be maintained. A mishap with either of these could cause a breakdown or fork failure. If this happens, you could be the cause of a serious accident in the warehouse.

7.    Know the forklift tyre warning signs

Your forklift tyres are integral to the job your forklift does. They are often the most overlooked piece of forklift equipment. When you inspect your forklift, don’t forget the tyres. Here are the warning signs that your tyres need to be replaced, which are different for pneumatic and cushion tyres:

• Wear and tear take its toll on pneumatic forklift tyres. You should inspect for cuts, grazes, and tread wear. Look at inner and outer edges and the centre of the tyre for signs of balding. If the cord is visible, the tyre needs replacing immediately.
• On cushion tyres, you should look out for flat spots, tearing, and cracks. These issues have different causes, and if they are happening regularly then you should have a tyre expert help you to identify why. If your tyres have worn down to the 50% wear line, you should replace the tyre immediately.

Worn or poorly inflated forklift tyres are one of the main causes of poor forklift safety in the warehouse. Worn tyres make for an unstable forklift, an uncomfortable drive, and they add to fuel consumptions and maintenance cost.

To find out about our comprehensive tyre services for forklift operators in Queensland, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your business and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Are your forklift inspection routines putting your business at risk?

What should forklift operators check, and when?

While most forklift accidents are caused by the operator (they get complacent about safety, and push boundaries to speed up work processes), many could be avoided with a daily forklift inspection. In this blog post, you’ll learn what your forklift operators should be checking before they begin work and at the end of a shift.

How bad can a forklift accident be?

It’s easy to assume that a forklift accident will, at worst, lead to damaged goods, or perhaps a mechanical problem with the forklift. Unfortunately, statistics show otherwise. According to Safe Work Australia, since 2003 there have been 61 deaths caused by forklift accidents in Australia.

In addition to these fatalities, there are regularly more than 900 serious injury claims each year, because of forklifts. A serious injury claim is one that causes one week or more of lost time from work. The industries where most serious injury claims are made are manufacturing, followed by transport, postal, warehousing, wholesale, and then retail.

And get this: the average time off work as a result of incidents with forklifts in 2014/15 was 5.4 weeks, at an average cost of $11,043 per claim.

Australian industry is losing, on average, around 4,860 weeks of productive work, just because of forklift accidents!

How can you reduce forklift accidents in the workplace?

To reduce the number of accidents, injury claims, and fatalities caused by forklifts in the workplace, it is, of course, essential that forklift operators observe forklift handling rules always. Regular training and retraining may be necessary, and supervisors should emphasise safety over speed.

However, over and above operator error, many injuries and fatalities could be avoided by ensuring equipment is properly inspected before and after the operation. Unfortunately, forklift inspections are often neglected, with sometimes catastrophic results.

When should forklift inspections be carried out?

Operators should certainly inspect their forklifts before starting work. Yes, the warehouse may be busy, and the forklift operator will get the blame for holding up loading and delivery. Truck drivers are waiting, and their time is running down. But none of this is an excuse for shoddy safety routine.

Checking the forklift at the beginning of the shift should be the operator’s first priority. It could save their life and the lives of others. When the shift is finished, the operator should inspect the tyres again.

There is no excuse for not inspecting your forklift before a shift begins or when a shift ends. Forklift operators, supervisors, and the business should ask themselves what is more important – avoiding a ten-minute delay in delivery, or avoiding a death or serious injury on site?

What if problems are found?

If a problem is uncovered during a forklift inspection, there is only one course of action to take: pull the forklift from service. Get the problem fixed. If the forklift’s tyres are the issue, have them repaired onsite. The forklift should not be put back into operation until it is deemed safe to do so.

What should be on your forklift inspection checklist?

Each operator should have a pre-operational checklist to complete. Forklift manufacturers may supply examples, but you may need to update and modify according to your actual operations. A simple tick list of checks will ensure the operator carries out a thorough inspection, and that your operation is a safer place to work.

Here are a few suggestions as to what should be checked at every inspection:

• Check oil, water, and hydraulic fluid level
• Check and test mast chains
• Make sure that the load backrest functions properly
• Check finger guards
• Test seatbelts, horns, and lights
• Check the brakes and steering
• Look for visible signs of forklift damage
• Examine electrics, including cables, wires, and batteries
• Take notice of coolant levels, and ensure air filters and radiators are in good condition
• Check the condition of forklift tyres – look for cuts and gouges
• Check forklift tyre pressures

Also, the operator’s manual and log book should be with the vehicle always.

Check your forklifts and stop costly accidents occurring

It’s simple really. Any accident at work will harm your business. There will always be a cost involved. At best, this may be a few hours of work lost. At worst, an employee or workplace visitor could pay with their life. Your company’s reputation will suffer, as will its finances.

Ensuring that your forklift operators carry out pre-shift checks and complete a comprehensive checklist will help to reduce accidents in your workplace – all of which are avoidable.

On top of the obvious safety issues, regular checks will mean problems are discovered early. Downtime will be reduced, as will maintenance costs: caught early, small maintenance issues shouldn’t become large and expensive mechanical problems.

To find out about our comprehensive tyre services for forklift operators in Queensland, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your business and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 How truck fleet managers can reduce the top cause of breakdowns in Queensland

A truck tyre strategy for every day and roadside emergencies

In studies across Australia and around the world, tyres are the number one reason trucks break down while on the road. In this article, you’ll find out how you can reduce tyre issues while your truck is on the road, and what to do if you do break down on the roads around Brisbane and Queensland.

Cutting costs is a top priority for Australian truck fleets

It’s likely that your fleet is already investing heavily in cutting costs.

• Recently, we’ve discussed how routing software helps fleet managers to more easily optimise routes on the fly and in real time. It helps keeps trucks on the road for longer, and should help smaller fleets and single truck owners thrive in a challenging environment.
• We’ve also considered that the era of the executive truck driver could be upon us, with a single driver in charge of a convoy of autonomous trucks platooning around Queensland and the rest of Australia.

However, the competitive and cost benefits of modern technology and new working routines will be lost with truck breakdowns. So why do they happen, and what could they cost you?

What could a roadside breakdown cost you?

A roadside breakdown often triggers a domino topple of costly actions. You may need your truck to be towed. There will be downtime. You will probably have to dispatch another truck. You have a driver with wasted hours.

And the money saved by platooning a convoy could be a drop in the ocean compared to the damage a single truck breakdown within the convoy could cause: dozens of missed deliveries or pick-ups, and a previously unblemished reputation shattered. You could lose customers.

How likely are tyres to be the cause of roadside breakdowns?

Tyres are the number one cause of truck breakdowns on the roads, but just how much more likely is your truck to suffer a tyre issue than any other while on the road?

The most telling data available comes from FleetNet America. They compiled data from 60,000 truck repair vendors across the United States, over a five-year period. The research found that one in four roadside truck breakdowns was because of tyre problems. Tyres cause roadside problems twice as often as brakes.

What a difference it could make to your fleet costs and efficiency if you never had a tyre failure, or when you did, it was dealt with more quickly.

Use a strategy to help your tyres last longer

Improved maintenance procedures should help to reduce tyre problems on the road. In our blog post ‘Truck tyres in Brisbane – tyre management strategies that slash costs’, we detailed a 7-step fleet tyre management strategy to cut tyre costs:

1. Purchase the best tyres that fit the required purpose
2. Track truck tyres from day one
3. Delegate responsibilities
4. Create a tyre maintenance policy and set out procedures
5. Carry out regular tyre cleaning
6. Decide on a tyre replacement and buying policy
7. Analyse why tyres have been scrapped

With a comprehensive tyre maintenance strategy in place, the occurrence of tyre failures while your trucks are on the road should drastically reduce. But there will still be occasions when even the best tyre maintenance program can’t stop a tyre failure on the road. How you handle this could be the difference between retaining and losing customers.

Your on-the-road tyre emergency plan

Before your trucks leave the depot, make sure that your drivers are prepared for a tyre failure on the road:

• Ensure that mobile phones and radio systems are fully charged and that drivers have fully charged spare batteries onboard
• Drivers should have contact details for all customers on their route – phone numbers, email addresses, and social media accounts – to warn them of altered delivery times as soon as they can
• Routes should be checked for accidents, roadworks, and other obstacles (e.g. weather) before leaving the depot
• Check that the truck is fitted with emergency equipment, including jacks, fire extinguishers, food and water
• Emergency numbers of 24/7 roadside maintenance and repair services

While prevention is always better than cure, it pays for your truck fleet to be prepared for all eventualities.

To find out about our comprehensive services for truck owners and fleets, including our 24/7 truck and commercial mobile service – covering Queensland from south of Southport to north of Warana and east of Laidley – contact Darra Tyres today. Your fleet should never be stranded on roads in and around Brisbane again.

Keeping your business and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 The era of the Executive Truck Driver is upon us

Why driverless fleets could need highly paid specialist truck drivers

Truck fleet owners are getting serious about driverless trucks. The benefits are obvious. Fuel costs and driver salaries combined make up almost two-thirds of a fleet’s cost base. Autonomous trucks will remove the need for almost all drivers, and allow ‘platoons’ of trucks to drive within just a few metres of each other. Fewer drivers will slash salary spending, and ‘platooning’ cuts fuel costs by up to 10%.

The truck industry is one of the most dangerous in Australia, with 15 times the number of deaths among drivers as there are among employees in other industries. Automated truck technology promises to improve safety levels.

Driverless platoons are forecast to hit Australia’s roads by 2025. Where will this technology leave today’s truck drivers? Will truck drivers become redundant overnight?

Truck driver jobs will be lost, but the impact may be less than expected

At the end of May, the International Transport Forum said that autonomous vehicles would reduce freight costs, slash exhaust emissions, and improve road safety. The cost of these benefits, it said, would be seen mostly on driver jobs. It expects between 50% and 70% of truck driver jobs to be made redundant. Such job losses in Australia would need to be managed, but may not impact truck drivers as much as they might expect.

The freight market in Australia is expected to grow by 26% over the next ten years. If this transpires and there will be no change in the way that truck fleets are operated, this would create a need for another 25% more driver jobs across the country. By dovetailing the introduction of driverless technology with the increase in freight, job losses wouldn’t hit so hard. Also, there will be retirements which will also reduce the technological impact. Some drivers will decide to move to other industries.

In summary, while the International Transport Forum may be right about the scale of truck driver jobs lost, the impact on drivers currently in the industry is likely to be a lot less than they might think.

In Australia, truck drivers will have new opportunities

Driving in Australia is very different to driving in Europe or America. The first place we’re likely to see driverless trucks in convoy is on major roads and highways. As the technology becomes proven, truck fleets will probably seek to extend service to the Australian Outback.

It will present a whole new set of challenges to the technology employed: animals running into the paths of trucks; heat; and roads that are more like farm tracks, taking their toll on engines and tyres.

Truck convoys could be hundreds of metres long. Loads might include livestock, fuel, or hazardous materials. Dust is a problem for other vehicles that want to overtake.

As GPS technology, truck-to-truck cameras and links, road and traffic and truck sensors increase in ability and fleet use, driverless convoys are likely to become the norm.  But a driverless convoy may be a step too far. Enter the Executive Truck Driver.

What might the Executive Truck Driver of the future be?

It’s likely that the lead driver in a driverless convoy will have more responsibility. They’ll have to control the convoy, using in-cab technology to monitor how each truck is performing.

The Executive Truck Driver of the future is likely to be more technologically experienced than the truck driver of today, and enrol as a multitalented supervisor. They will need to be ready to take control of the truck and pursuing platoon when it’s needed. They will need to obtain information about roads and weather and liaise with customers. They will also control maintenance on the road, and ensure that engines and tyres are in top condition for the journey ahead.

The Executive Driver will need to input reams of data into onboard computers, allowing sensors to adapt to immediate and upcoming conditions and environments. In short, the job of a driver is changing.

How fast will platooning take off in Australia?

The software that will allow trucks to drive together in a close convoy is being tested as I write, and it’s being improved almost daily. Truck manufacturers are preparing for rollout within a couple of years. The truck industry is likely to force through change. Lower fuel and employee costs, as well as better on-road safety, will encourage firms to change sooner rather than later. Uptake of platooning is likely to snowball.

Eventually, it’s probable that most if not all trucks in Australia will be driverless. But as we transition to this state, the best drivers will be required to lead the charge and platooning convoys. And they are likely to be very well paid to do so.

To find out about our comprehensive services for truck owners and fleets, contact Darra Tyres. Never be stranded on roads in and around Brisbane again – even when most of your trucks are driverless.

Keeping your business and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Can you afford routing software for your truck? Can you afford not to?

Real-time decisions made in the cloud could energise the future of your truck business

Whether long haul or local deliveries, fleet managers want the same thing: to get deliveries made as fast as possible, while maintaining safety and decreasing costs. It used to be that drivers would start work in the morning, furnished with a route that had been put together to the best of a fleet’s team’s ability.

Today, software and hardware available have not only streamlined this job but made it more effective to meet route optimisation goals. And with mobile communications and cloud-based applications, routes can be dynamically re-engineered to account for weather, road conditions, accidents, tyre damage, etc. and maintain the fleet manager’s targets.

Routing vs. Navigation

It is the key difference between routing and navigation. Navigation doesn’t account for all the factors that can affect time on the road. It simply plans a route, usually based on distance, load, speed, and any restrictions such as low bridges. While great navigation can reduce mileage and fuel use, it doesn’t do what routing can do – dynamically adjust navigation to optimise performance and delivery.

Does routing work?

Already companies have started testing technology’s ability to deliver. Pilots by Daimler and Uber in the United States have shown how autonomous trucks can increase productive hours of a truck on the road. A two-man truck will remain idle for around six hours of a day. During these down hours, fuel is used to control cabin temperature.

Platooning, driverless truck strategies are expected to massively reduce fuel use. Vehicle-to-vehicle communications systems will allow truck convoys to travel further, more efficiently, and more safely. Costs could be slashed, as fleets will save on both fuel and driver costs (which together make up around 65% of a fleet’s costs).

Routing achieves the three most basic goals of fleet management:

• Reduces costs by reducing miles
• Increases customer satisfaction by uplifting in-time performance
• Enables fleets to better manage compliance with driving hours

Combined with autonomous driverless trucks, automated real-time routing should enable the fleet manager to achieve all three of these goals with minimal effort.

Different routing software is needed by different fleets

Different fleets will have different routing needs, though these can be broken into two main types:

• Long haul requires routing on highways and optimising using standard mileage and fuel usage.
• Local deliveries may have multiple stops to make, and routes may change every day. These routes must consider factors such as traffic, narrow streets, and local loading and unloading restrictions.

However, as same-day delivery grows in popularity, fleet managers will find that route optimisation software is an imperative tool in their armoury. Being able to alter routes in real time should help reduce both pick-up and delivery times.

The software will not only need to account for on-road elements, but also for package requirements – extra parcels may need to be picked up along a route, for example. Loading this data into the software should enable fleet managers to take advantage of such opportunities, increasing revenues while simultaneously cutting costs and enhancing the customer experience.

In other words, the shortest route is no longer always the optimal route.

Can your fleet take advantage of route optimisation software?

Routing is becoming a strategy that fleets must perform. Retailers and warehousing will increasingly demand exceptional delivery capabilities, and the fleets with the best records are likely to win the most business.

In the United States, UPS has already realised that this will be the way of the future. It has fully deployed its ORION route optimisation software in the United States and is set to expand its use into international markets. But where does this leave smaller fleets? The cost is prohibitive, so does this mean that small fleets will be buried by the big boys who are able to invest in new technologies?

Get your lead in the cloud!

While the bigger outfits have the finances to fund development of their own routing software or to install standalone systems, there are many programs available in the cloud at a much more affordable cost. Deploying these should allow a smaller fleet or sole truck operator to compete on a level playing field.

The speed and cost advantages that routing programs enable should help smaller businesses survive and thrive in an increasingly challenging environment.

To find out about our comprehensive services for truck owners and fleets, contact Darra Tyres. Never be stranded on roads in and around Brisbane again – even when most of your trucks are driverless.

Keeping your business and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Are driverless trucks coming to Brisbane?

Are you ready for a trucking industry revolution?

The biggest shake-up in Brisbane’s trucking industry for decades appears to be on its way. Driverless trucks are a topic on which everyone has an opinion.

Some say they’re dangerous, and that they could be prone to accidental damage caused by fallen eucalyptus trees and wayward kangaroos. Others say they simply won’t work in Queensland’s outback, where tech support will be difficult and costly to find.

Supporters say they will save billions of dollars in costs, and that they will eliminate the shortcomings of tired drivers making fatal mistakes.

Despite America being ahead in the race to pass laws and test driverless trucks on the roads, they could become the norm here in Queensland first. In fact, they’re already proving to be a hit in some parts of Australia.

America is racing to be the first country to have driverless trucks…

In America, they are gearing up for driverless trucks on the highways. Congress looks set to pass laws that will push the Department of Transportation to draft regulations for self-driving cars next year. Lawmakers acknowledge that self-driving technology is going to disrupt the way people travel.

However, getting the laws that exempt autonomous vehicles (as they are also known) from some safety requirements written and passed through the system could take years, especially while overhauling industry safety standards. Even so, 20 U.S. states have passed their self-driving car regulations already.

In preparation for nationwide laws to come into force, Daimler has already been licensed to test self-driving trucks on U.S. highways.

Daimler has said that driverless trucks are a decade away from becoming a reality, despite predicted safety and efficiency benefits. But this isn’t because the technology needs to be developed. It’s already there. The hold up in America is because of the legal issues highlighted above.

Australia doesn’t have any laws governing driverless trucks as yet. So, it would appear that we’re behind the game. However, the reality is that driverless trucks in Queensland and other Australian states could be closer than we think.

…Yet self-driving trucks are already working in Australia…

The debate about self-driving trucks is probably making Rio Tinto executives chuckle. They’ve been using them in Australia for almost a decade. And not just any old trucks. Huge great 400-ton beasts, in the harsh conditions of quarries and mines in Western Australia.

Rio has dozens of these driverless trucks working 24 hours each day, hauling iron ore across four job sites. They drive themselves using a combination of GPS, radar, and laser sensors. A team supervises the job they are doing from more than 700 miles away. It’s proving a safer and cheaper way of operating, though if something does go wrong, human help (such as emergency servicing, mechanics, and tyre changes) is a long way away.

…And self-driving trucks could transform Australia’s deadliest industry…

Truck drivers on Australia’s roads are 15 times more likely to die than workers in other industries. Even the Australian Trucking Association has said that self-driving trucks could make the industry safer. And with road freight set to nearly double between 2010 and 2030, there aren’t enough drivers to meet demand.

Geoff Crouch, the chairman of the Australian Trucking Association, believes that self-driving trucks are the future of the industry, but that it won’t be an overnight transition. He believes that the transition will begin with autonomous braking technology as standard in all vehicles before progressing from there.

This said, ‘platooning’ – a convey of autonomous trucks travelling within feet of each other – is being tested in Western Australia this year. The lead truck ‘talks’ to those following, warning of obstacles and road conditions and synchronising speed and braking. By driving so close together, it is estimated that fuel costs can be slashed by as much as 20%.

Of course, truck drivers don’t only drive. They perform other essential tasks, such as loading and unloading, vehicle checks, and customer liaison.

Perhaps this gives a clue as to how driverless truck convoys could work in the future:

• First stop is for the truck’s technology to remove increasing responsibilities from the driver: the need to brake, plan routes, steer, etc.
• Once this technology is embedded, then platooning could happen with the lead vehicle manned, and other vehicles driverless.
• The lead driver will control the fleet, monitoring performance and problems. He or she will oversee loading and unloading, and all the other tasks required of drivers today.
• Eventually, as other functions become automated, platoons of wholly driverless trucks will become commonplace on the roads of Queensland and Australia. These convoys will be controlled by human intervention hundreds of miles away.

The only question remaining is how mechanical issues are dealt with. That may not change much from today, with services like Darra Tyres’ 24/7 truck call out service dealing with a truck’s tyre problems local to Brisbane. The difference here, of course, is that instead of speaking to the driver, the technician will be speaking to a controller who may not even be on the same continent. Interesting times ahead, we think.

To find out about our comprehensive services for truck owners and fleets, in demand today and prepared for tomorrow, contact Darra Tyres. Never be stranded on roads in and around Brisbane again.

Keeping your business and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood