Summary
A survey by Frost & Sullivan conducted from December 2008 to January 2009 illustrates that companies will continue to explore technological developments in efficiency and safety, despite reduced capacity and revenues. The big technology issues are in the areas of efficiency in utilization and operating costs, environmental compliance & communications. Safety systems are a different issue, do the rather complex and expensive nature of the technology.
Analysis
It should come as no surprise that trucking continues to embrace technology, as it has historically been a leader in innovation with the goal of improving operating and cost efficiency.
Federal and to some extent state regulatory actions serve as a partial impetus to deploying a variety of technologies. Compliance with EPA 2010 regulations are a driving force for SCR technology ("Selective -catalytic reduction). The survey indicates that fleet managers will purchase new vehicles containing SCR technology over Exhaust Gas Reduction (EGR) technology, with Navistar as the only major manufacturer opting for EGR.
Fuel efficiency, ranks as the highest in importance for power train technology.
Most fleets have a marked preference for GPS services, which enables cost savings, productivity improvement and overall utilization key elements in deploying telematics. Many fleets (47% according to the survey) have deployed communications technology.
However, high costs are restraining the emergence of safety systems. Combined with the different types of driver information and warning systems, most fleet managers would prefer to meet their unique operating requirements.
Technology whether it is for fuel efficiency, regulatory compliance or communications and safety, is a good investment when fleets are experiencing sever financial and operating stress.
