IFTA Requirements for Trucking

There is nothing easy about owning a business or running one.  This is especially true for trucking firms.  Though organizations like the ATA work hard to minimize government restrictions on trucking, the federal government annually adds additional restrictions to haulers.  Many people might think this doesn't matter to ordinary citizens.  Unfortunately, restriction on fleets affect us all.  For every extra penny it costs fleet owners to deliver goods or services, they must raise our prices by that penny.  

This past year, hundreds of trucking firms have been forced out of business.  This is partly because fleet owners are being hit by a troubled economy.  But, this is also attributable to fleet owners being strapped by government regulations.  I am not saying that all restrictions put on fleets are excessive or overbearing.  But, I am concerned about the costs associated with additional restrictions placed on trucking fleets.

IFTA, or the International Fuel Tax Agreement, is one example of an added restriction that adds to costs.  IFTA requires fleets whose trucks travel across state lines, to track the miles traveled in each state by trip and even what roads were traveled.  As you can imagine, this is a huge headeache for truckers and administrative personell.  

In an attempt to combat the hassle placed on trucking fleets by the federal governemnent and other governing bodies, Track What Matters has begun offering state by state mileage reporting.  These reports will streamline the process of IFTA reporting for trucking fleet administrators and allow them to spend more time working on revenue generating projects.

Fleet tracking with GPS has a great number of useful features.  IFTA reporting is just another in that long list of GPS tracking features available for fleets.

Employee Theft

When talking with potential customers about the benefits of GPS tracking for their fleets of vehicles, we often bring up theft recovery.  For the most part, I thought of this GPS tracking benefit in regards to the thief you don't know.  Recently, we have had a couple of instances where employees have stolen vehicles.  In both cases, our GPS tracking units and service were able to help our customer recover their $50K worth of vehicle and equipment in an expedited fashion.

There are so many cost benefits for fleet GPS tracking, but these 2 incidents have more than paid for the benefits for an entire year for the entire fleet.  I somewhat understand how the employee's mind thinks "it's just a pen or a few sheets of paper", but I am baffled by the thought of "I'm taking the company truck".  But, it happens.  

I really enjoy hearing when customers are getting great benefits from their fleet tracking.  It's easy and makes financial sense.

Keep an eye out (or a virtual eye)!

Steven Van Ooyen

Challenges for Trucking

The last few days I was in New Orleans for the American Trucking Association (ATA) management convention.  During that time, I listened to several speakers and panelists.  All of whom were concerned about a few major themes.

1. Safety

2. Costs

3. Efficiency

4. Government Regulations

These 4 are greatly simplified here.  

When it comes to safety, it is evident by the data, that the trucking industry has come a long way in this regard.  GPS tracking on trucks, anti-rollover technology, improved awareness programs (including America's Road Team) have made great improvements.  When it comes to safety, knowing what a driver is doing is critical.  Having a GPS tracking system is certainly a first step to ensuring safe driving speeds and driver accountability.  And, unlike some other technologies, GPS tracking for trucks is very affordable.

Costs are certainly of great concern to every trucking company.  Fuel, collections, driver compensation, government regulations, and driver retention all contribute to the strains on the budgets of trucking firms.  There are some interesting solutions on the market for automating billing and collections in the trucking market.  This primarily focuses on the joining of networks to facilitate payment and discrepancy resolutions.  This is certainly an area worth investigating.  One major carrier eliminated the need for several people in his billing market by joining one of these networks.  Of course, when it comes to cost reduction, GPS tracking for your trucking fleet is an incredibly easy option.  ROI for a system is generally achieved in less than 6 months.  Fuel and labor costs drop dramatically when GPS tracking is placed on a fleet of trucks and driver behaviour improves.

Efficiency can be achieved a number of ways.  I'm sure you are already expecting me to say that GPS tracking is of great benefit here as well.  Of course it is!  This might be where the GPS tracking solutions for trucking fleets shines the brightest.  Being able to manage the routing and details of your trucking fleet in real time leads to incredible savings with very little outlay of capital.

Finally, I heard a significant amount of discussion regarding government regulations on the trucking industry.  The desire to reduce pollutants and greenhouse gasses is very popular throughout the world.  That being said, from what I heard, I have to commend the trucking industry and the diesel engine manufacturers for the progress they have made.  Diesel truck engines being manufactured today are cleaner burning than ever before.  In addition to truck engine technology, tire manufacturers are producing tires that "stick" on the road less.  Less "stick" for tires results in greater fuel economy for trucks. 

I continue to be impressed by the quality of the individuals in the trucking market and their desire to make America a better, safer, cleaner, and more profitable country.  I am glad our GPS tracking solutions are a significant part of the solution bank.

Keep trucking and tracking,

Steven Van Ooyen

Chief Technology Officer

Track What Matters