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GreenRoad’s new RFID feature automates driver association with trips by detecting when a driver boards a vehicle, eliminating the need for drivers to log on with a Dallas key.  FirstGroup, the UK’s leading bus operator, has deployed RFID across its fleet of 7,500 buses nationwide as part of its DriveGreen initiative. Terry Sparkhall, DriveGreen Manager at First UK Bus said,

“With 18,000 drivers using GreenRoad, it is important that we have accurate records of who is driving a bus at any time. During the trial, drivers gave us very positive feedback about how much easier it is to use GreenRoad with RFID so we have quickly deployed the technology across the entire fleet.”

Another customer, Big Bus Tours, the largest operator of open-top sightseeing tours in the world, has starting using RFID in its fleet of open top tour buses in London, Washington DC and San Francisco, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi soon to follow. Gerry Price, group commercial director, said,

“GreenRoad has enhanced driver performance and cut risk in our bus fleet across the world, as well as improving the customer experience for thousands of sightseers. Now with RFID it is even easier for our drivers to use GreenRoad.”

GreenRoad Smartphone Edition has been enhanced with Facebook integration that allows drivers to share their achievements with friends. GreenRoad Smartphone Edition, code named “Asimov”, uses smartphone native functionality, including GPS and built-in accelerometers, to eliminate the need for a professionally installed telematics device in the vehicle. 

A new version of GreenRoad Central, the software at the heart of the GreenRoad service, includes real-time alerts for exception events, including high-risk events in all driver behaviour categories as well as speed violations.  In addition to receiving email alerts in real-time, managers can view their alerts on a To Do list through GreenRoad Central.

About GreenRoad

GreenRoad is the leading driver performance management service for fleets. Through the innovative use of cloud and mobile technology, GreenRoad offers a comprehensive set of driver performance and fleet tracking services. Companies using GreenRoad realise significant savings because better drivers use less fuel, crash less frequently, reduce vehicle emissions and reduce insurance costs. With in-vehicle technology, smartphone apps for drivers and managers and a comprehensive change management programme, the GreenRoad Driver Improvement Loop™ immediately improves driver performance. GreenRoad Advanced Tracking delivers real-time fleet location for superior route optimisation, improved productivity and customer support. Proven across 70,000 drivers worldwide, in all vehicle types and industries, GreenRoad dramatically reduces fuel consumption and crashes so customers realise positive ROI within 60-90 days.

GreenRoad™ and GreenRoad Driver Improvement Loop™ are trademarks of GreenRoad, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contact

Rachel Postlethwaite | Breakaway Communications

rp@breakawaycom.com | +44 (0) 7949 883636

Firstly when it comes to driver performance it is a case of mind-set versus skill-set. That is poor performance that leads to high risk/high fuel usage is not as a result of a lack of basic driving skills but more of an issue with driver attitude. Therefore it is not extra on road training that will help bring about change but understanding why drivers are choosing to driver the way they are. This could be due to work pressure, time pressure, stress or just because the driver has picked up bad habits. Once you understand the root cause of your drivers’ behaviour you can make a plan to tackle it.

Secondly because for the majority of people behaviour behind the wheel is a matter of choice – they already possess the necessary skills to drive in a safe and economical manner. Therefore if you make safe driving a positive experience through reward and recognition it is much easier to get a permanent change in behaviour much more quickly than issuing instructions and making it a negative or demotivating experience. What’s more a reward scheme doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Small impromptu rewards and recognition of a job well done is often enough to get your drivers to join you on the change journey and other to participate enthusiastically.

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This award recognises a clear commitment to sustainable practices. Stagecoach was praised for the measures it has taken to reduce its carbon footprint, promote sustainability among staff, and to encourage greater use of public transport through joint-working with other transport partners, as well as initiatives such as increasing bike spaces on vehicles and introducing Wi-fi services on buses which have helped to attract new users.

Awarding the honour to Stagecoach, the judging panel stated that “Sustainability is clearly within the DNA of Stagecoach” and said the transport group was playing a key role in encouraging wider use of public transport in general.

Stagecoach Group Director of Communications Steven Stewart said:

“To win this award for the second consecutive year is a real achievement and shows great recognition for the measures we have in place to become a greener and more sustainable business.”

“We have cut the carbon impact of our business by 20% in the past four years and we are continuing to take steps to further reduce our carbon footprint as well as highlighting to people the environmental – and financial – benefits of switching from the car to public transport.”

“Our staff are at the heart of making us a greener business and it’s great to see their efforts recognised through this award.”

Stagecoach Group has cut the carbon intensity (kg CO2 per £ of turnover) of its businesses in the UK and North America by more than 20% in the past four years.
The Group is targeting an overall absolute reduction of 8% in carbon emissions from buildings and a cut of 3% in carbon emissions per vehicle mile from annual fleet transport by April 2014. Specific stretching targets have been set for each of its bus and rail businesses.

The strategy is supported by an £11million green investment programme. Employee initiatives and eco teams set up by staff have also helped drive dramatic improvements in energy and carbon efficiency.

Stagecoach initiatives underway in the UK alone include investing in a hi-tech eco-driving system, powered by GreenRoad, which is expected to reduce fuel consumption at the Group’s bus division by 4%. The scheme also offers employees the chance to earn “green points” that are converted into financial benefits from a potential £900,000 annual bonus pot.

Click here to read the full Stagecoach press release.

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So – how do you monitor your emissions and what can you do to reduce them?

There are a variety of factors to bear in mind here from vehicle choice, maintenance, driver behaviour and the journey taken. It is the most often over-looked of these that tends to have the biggest effect and that is driver performance…

Research shows that driving behaviour contributes to over 80% of crashes and up to 33% of fuel consumption. Driver performance and fleet safety management solutions, such as GreenRoad, reduce these costs and risks by improving driving performance.  By using a combination of in-vehicle technology and change management focus, you can coach your drivers without expensive training. 

With safer drivers you are not only reducing your fuel consumption and emissions, but you are also meeting your ‘duty of care’ requirements and can reduce your insurance premiums.  That’s not to mention all of the great additional features, such as advanced vehicle tracking, that can help you to really keep on top of your fleet operations.

On announcing London’s Ultra-Low Emission Zone, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said:

“My vision is a central zone where almost all the vehicles running during working hours are either zero or low emission.”

This might sound ambitious, but bring it on Boris..!

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This seminar is a must for fleet operators looking for cost effective ways to improve safety. In-vehicle technology can offer huge benefits to drivers and fleet managers by providing improved risk information, preventing crashes and reducing costs. Learn about options available, features to look for to ensure driver safety, and how to work with your drivers to get the best from technology.

As well as experts in the field, this event will include a case study from East Yorkshire Motor Services, who have successfully employed such technology and are seeing great results.

Date: Tuesday 30 April 2013
Location: Birmingham, UK
Time: 12.30pm – 4pm

The usual price is £70 + VAT for Brake subscribers (£120 + VAT for non-subscribers) .

Speakers include: 

• Pete Thomas, Director, Transport Safety Research Centre, Loughborough University
• Phil Pettitt, Chief Executive, innovITS
• Darren Kendrew, Training manager, EYMS Bus & Coach Training

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When we recently announced the 2012 Fleet Elite drivers we highlighted Balfour Beatty as it boasts three of the 19 perfect GreenRoad drivers in the UK. In fact this one company accounts for 24% of all UK drivers with a safety score of zero or one and has 151 Fleet Elite drivers across its fleet of 2,800 drivers.

As part of its corporate ZERO HARM initiative, Balfour Beatty uses GreenRoad to reduce risk across its entire commercial fleet of 1,400 HGVs and LCVs. As soon as it started using GreenRoad, Balfour Beatty saw a two-thirds drop in risky manoeuvres. Most importantly, Balfour Beatty drivers have sustained that improvement while also reducing fuel consumption by an average of 9%. One example that demonstrates an often overlooked side effect of safer driving, the three zero score drivers have extended tyre and brake pad life by over 30%.

Dave Washbourne, Driver Risk Project Manager, recently gave us some insight into the success behind those three zero score drivers and the benefits.

Ian Batch manages Balfour Beatty depots to ensure the smooth running of the operational functions. He covers 15,000 to 20,000 miles a year on business and is a regular recipient of Balfour Beatty’s driver of the week award. He clocked up 950 hours during 2012 without a single infringement.

He has consistently embraced a philosophy of safe driving both personally and when involved in the training and mentoring of his fellow drivers on the Yorkshire Water contract.

Committed to Zero Harm, Ian epitomises what the company is trying to achieve. He is an advocate for GreenRoad and coaching and mentoring others. He always presents a well-maintained and clean vehicle and has never caused any damage to a Balfour Beatty vehicle.

Aaron Tomlinson is the very epitome of “poacher turned gamekeeper”. Having experienced a few driving problems in the early 2000′s, he embraced the training courses that Balfour Beatty offered. When he started using GreenRoad he showed the need for some further changes to his driving style. But since April of 2011 he has turned a corner and consistently produced single figure scores. During 2012 he improved further and drove for 709 hours with a zero score – not a single risky manoeuvre.

As one of the most improved drivers at Balfour Beatty, Aaron really is a great example of how an individual can change driver behaviour.

Aaron and team have successfully cleaned over 100,000 km of water main all over the United Utilities area. This requires a significant amount of driving in heavy traffic and frustrating conditions. Yet Aaron has always been a very conscientious worker and is a good role model for new starters. As a result, the team he works with has an excellent heath and safety record that is second to none.

The third zero driver is a true “gentleman” on the road: Danny Joyner covers up to 30,000 a year in his role as a general foreman, delivering repair, maintenance and construction of high voltage overhead electricity lines. During 2012 he clocked up 804 hours of completely infringement-free driving.

Often the sites Danny has to visit are extremely remote and at other times in very densely-populated areas and yet at all times he remains totally compliant with all legal aspects of driving and has never recorded any damage to his vehicle.

Danny also assists the drivers under his control to ensure that the DNO department of the business consistently scores a very commendable telemetry report. He has championed the use of GreenRoad system across his team and set an example for them to follow in terms of driver performance.

Danny has worked for Balfour Beatty for 26 years. He is employed as a Senior General Foreman responsible for 30 staff that build, maintain and repair transmission power lines across England and Wales. Key clients include UK Power Networks, Western Power Distribution, Scottish Power and Northern PowerGrid. At any one time there are 2-3 projects in the construction phase across the country, with Danny spending a considerable amount of time travelling between the geographically dispersed projects.

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• Single sign-on from GreenRoad Central – no need for separate log-in details, the support portal is just a click away.

• Troubleshooting workflows for common issues – this guides users through step-by-step questions and if a case needs to be logged, the information gathered is automatically populated into the case log.

• Hundreds of searchable help topics for all Central users, including drivers. This includes new features documentation and how-to guides.

• Improved case management, including easier case-tracking and reporting and enhanced submission forms for faster time-to-resolution.

The CSP offers different levels of permissions, with content customised based on user role, geography, and product.

The case submission page has also been redesigned with customer experience in mind. It includes visibility to more case information; new fields on the page layout for quickly gathering information needed to address the issue/request and more friendly case status wording. Another new option is searching a case by vehicle and there are more flexible list views.

We continue to make improvements to all aspects of our service and value your feedback, so please contact us if you would like to give us feedback – or discuss how GreenRoad can help your fleet.

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