IoT Solutions – Bell Canada and Preston Mobility brought together industry experts to present trend-setting topics, and various SaaS solutions to combat the growing trends and challenges in the transportation industry. Reliance Insurance invited clients to attend this timely and informative half-day seminar.
Presenting in Vancouver on November 15, 2018, Blake Ponuick, COO, at Preston Mobility partnered with Bell Canada to bring together Mike Milligan, President of Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC); Alexander Alami, Senior Manager Business Solutions, Bell Canada; and Brian Boychuk, SVP Sales & Marketing BeWhere Inc.
Trends in the transportation industry
The four key trends in the transportation industry are driving the need to implement IofT technology in order to combat the rapid changes in the transportation and cargo industry.
- Growing demand for the transportation of goods due to increased online shopping.
- New and evolving legislation.
- Rising costs such as fuel and security, and increased concerns for employee safety.
- Increased theft and the need for enhanced security.
Ongoing challenges and opportunities have increased the recent adoption of IoT solutions, and is primarily due to the following:
- Recently enacted legislation in the USA regarding electronic logging devices (ELD),
- Upcoming Canadian legislation for ELD’s.
- The need for safe connectivity with dispatch and drivers; reduction of distracted driving
- External pressures such as rising costs of fuel and insurance
- Asset tracking
- Security
Electronic recording devices (ERD) vs. electronic logging devices (ELD)
The industry is migrating from electronic recording devices to electronic logging devices. ELD’s will keep drivers safe while providing key management tools and analytics for fleet managers to keep costs contained within an ideal risk management practices. The US has already put in place the ELD requirement and Canadian companies operating in the US need to be in compliance.
As Canada, has not finalized the ELD legislation, it is imperative that companies trying to be compliant for US regulators are versed in the development of Canadian regulations. Reliance Insurance along with our transportation partners can help you identify the appropriate systems. This will eliminate the need to change out a system one or two years down the road when Canada catches up.
The primary difference between a paper recording device and an automated onboard recording device relates to the device functionality, display configuration, and operational settings. Needless to say, it can be confusing so if you are investing in a system, ensure it is the correct one that will meet future needs. Bell Canada & their partners have developed an IoT system for ELD that will work for future Canadian regulations.
Although the system change may seem cumbersome, ELD automates hours of service while reducing violations. improves dispatch, route inefficiencies, and improves driver safety. TJ Bumby,Manager Commercial Auto Division at Reliance reports, “With ELD legislation on the horizon, we can assist with the transformation to improve efficiency in your fleet in day-to-day operations, monitoring, reports and setting up compliance programs. Making sure you are compliant for your insurance policies can maximize benefits for cost savings within your policies.”
Canadian companies transporting goods to the USA,
need to be in compliance with US regulations
Push to talk dispatch
Another emerging trend is a push to talk dispatch system that allows drivers to communicate with dispatch without compromising safety. Although relatively new, the technology is getting great reviews and fleet managers are excited to implement the technology that will be available in the market place in the coming months. Push to talk dispatch will:
- Categorize communications
- Automate predictable communications
- Segregate urgent communications
- Control driver distractions
Security & safety for cargo transportation
In addition to logistics and driver safety, the safety and security of cargo is paramount to customer deliverables and profitability. New systems are available that operate state-of-art, low-power cellular devices with sensors and software (software as a solution SaaS) to track and monitor environmental conditions of moving or fixed assets.
Fleet insurance considerations
Although IoT for the transportation insurance has not materialized over to the insurance coverage, it is inevitable that these two systems will soon be intertwined. At Reliance we will be working with insurance companies to see how these technologies can reduce premiums and/or deductibles. With private insurers cost savings on safer practice technology may be available sooner than later.
If your fleet needs to move into compliance, call TJ Bumby at 604-412-5930 for a complimentary risk management evaluation of your fleet operations. We can not eliminate claims but we can provide a framework for best practices, to mitigate catastrophic loss.
