Registration is now open for the work truck industry’s educational forum on clean vehicle technologies – the Green Truck Summit that kicks off The Work Truck Show 2013.

George Survant, senior director, fleet at Time Warner Cable knows exactly the direction he wants to focus on for the future of the telecom provider’s vehicle operation. “We have to manage for the minimum cost per month over the life cycle of the vehicle,” he said. “If we use best practices to drive up reliability, we not only have lower costs, but we’re in a better position to meet customer expectations and improve our customers’ experience.”

On this page in the last issue of Utility Fleet Professional, we asked what exactly constitutes telematics in the realm of fleet management. Our question was based on the widespread use of the term “telematics” to denote automated vehicle systems. We also promised to focus more closely on what fleet managers need to know.

Many companies are facing their biggest budget challenges in their history, noted Bob Pitts, senior principal at Accenture. Additionally, companies that typically operate large, specialized fleets of vehicles in support of their operations face additional pressures to reduce costs to meet these budget challenges. These fleets inevitably require large commitments of scarce capital and are expensive to operate and maintain while complying with corporate and legislative mandates. A proper strategic focus can deliver exceptional value, enhance reliability of service and improve public perception.

Ford Motor Co.
The 2013 Ford F-150 is available with several engine choices, each mated to an electronic six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode. Included are:
• 3.7-liter four-valve Ti-VCT V-6, 302 HP at 6,500 rpm, 278 lbs./ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.
• 5.0-liter four-valve dual-overhead-camshaft Ti-VCT V-8, 360 HP at 5,500 rpm.
• 6.2-liter two-valve single-overhead-camshaft V-8, 411 HP at 5,500 rpm, 434 lbs./ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm.
• 3.5-liter Ti-VCT EcoBoost engine, 365 HP at 5,000 rpm, 420 lbs./ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm.

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night
It was one of those very intense New England winter storms that, in February 2011, buried Vermont in up to 4 feet of snow, not counting drifting snow. So much snow had piled up during the night that when Dan Mackey, fleet manager for Central Vermont Public Service, headed for his office in Rutland, he realized it was impossible to make it. The roads had not yet been sufficiently cleared, so Mackey had to settle for the nearby Poultney, Vt., office to try to manage the fleet from there.

HTUF REPORT
Held in mid-September in Charlotte, N.C., the 11th Annual High-Efficiency Truck Users Forum served again as an educational and networking event for manufacturers, suppliers, fleets and government officials interested in learning the latest about high-efficiency truck technology.

Tires are valuable and costly assets. An effective tire maintenance program can result in reduced tire costs. Some of the best resources for utility fleets are available from suppliers.

Originally, the term “telematics” was coined to describe the combination of telecommunication and information management systems. In fleet operations, the idea was that onboard systems could communicate with fleet management solutions to provide valuable data on vehicles and operations that would enhance processes and streamline maintenance and repair activities. This activity could take place across cellular- and satellite-based mobile communication platforms, and using new wireless handheld devices.

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