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Gamification: A Powerful Tool for Improving Driver Performance

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Gamification has become increasingly popular in recent years as companies have sought new, more effective ways to engage employees and achieve higher levels of productivity and compliance. While gamification was once the province of web-based businesses, today, businesses in just about every industry vertical are  taking advantage of the benefits gamification programs can offer, and fleet companies have been quick to adapt. The idea behind gamification? Tap into our innate desire to compete (and be rewarded), and then use that desire to drive changes in behavior. Telematics software and mobile technology like smartphones make it simple to incorporate gamification in the fleet industry to improve driver safety and compliance while supporting deeper engagement in company-wide goals. Gamification and Driver Behavior   When it comes to driver behavior, providing immediate corrective feedback is critical for eradicating bad habits and helping good habits “stick.” The ...

Efficiency Leads Your Fleet

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Taking steps to institute more efficient, forward-thinking business practices is a decision that will have a positive (and striking) ripple effect across your entire organization. Finding newer and innovative ways to handle not only your workers, but the vehicles they drive allows them to come together as one, functioning as a whole that is far more powerful than any one element could home to be on its own. This is absolutely a proactive process, however – it’s less one major decision and more the result of a series of smaller-yet-critical ones. If you really want to improve your practices in terms of your employees, your fleet and ultimately your business, there are a few important things that you’ll need to keep in mind. Use Technology as a Strategic Enabler In order to gain better visibility into both your workers and your fleet in general, you should also be willing to embrace technology in terms of generating mission-critical data on a regular basis. GPS tracking de...

Today's Top Trends in Commercial Vans

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If someone asked you to guess which type of vehicle sold an average of eight times faster than any other type of car in 2016, "commercial vans" would probably not be what you'd say first. Yet that is exactly the situation we find ourselves in, as the  sales of commercial vans in the United States  also topped 500,000 units for the first time last year. Industry experts agree that this is largely thanks to gains in the country's economy. As things continue to improve from an economic perspective, the demand for skilled labor increases - which increases the demand for work vans and other large commercial vehicles at the same time. Regardless of the reasons, there are a number of fascinating trends in commercial vans that you should definitely be aware of moving forward. Companies Are Struggling to Meet Demand If you're having a hard time finding the right commercial van to fit your needs, the first thing you should know is that you're not alone.  A num...

How Road Designers Are Manipulating Us into Being More Careful Drivers

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Our roads might start to look significantly different in the near future—and finally begin to get safer. New cars have more safety technology than ever, and yet accident rates and road fatalities are on the rise. The reasons behind the trend and the best way to combat it are hotly debated, but some city planners think they have the key to reversing it. So-called nudge theory helped economist Richard Thaler win a Nobel Prize in 2017; it posits that policies and environments should be designed to encourage people to make choices that will benefit them in the long run.  When applied to public roadways, the logic goes that when drivers are comfortable with their surroundings, they're less likely to pay attention. So traffic engineers design cues into the roadways that spur people into changing their behavior without realizing it. Chicago was one of the first U.S. cities to experiment with this idea. In 2006, it painted a series of lines across the road ahead...

When Should You Change Your Oil?

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Follow this simple guide to keep your engine humming a happy tune. You know you need to change your car's oil at some point, but how often? The answer can be confusing, because it varies based on driving conditions and your driving habits. Let us simplify it for you.  Conservative estimates for oil-change intervals used to be as low as 3000 miles, before significant improvements in fuel-delivery systems, engine materials, manufacturing methods, and oil chemistry. Today, modern engines driven normally stretch intervals to 7500 or even more than 10,000 miles. So what's the right answer? When Your Vehicle Is in Warranty When a vehicle is new, the answer is simple: If you don't want to void your powertrain warranty, follow the oil type, mileage, and time recommendations in the owner's manual. (Lost your owner's manual? It's likely available online.) In most cases, you'll be taking your vehicle to the dealer for required inspections ...

Air Power: Just why does air power matter to commercial van operators

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  Why do my van customers need air power? Not all tools are created equal. Tool choice isn’t just a matter of preference, it affects productivity and productivity affects the profitability of every commercial van operator’s business. Pneumatic (or air-powered) tools are usually the choice of mobile mechanics and professionals in construction and utilities. That means that each van sold could potentially need an air compressor. As a seller and/or upfitter of commercial vans, you have an opportunity to help guide customers through the process of specifying the right van and the right equipment for their application. It is important to understand what options are available for your customers, and further, to understand why pneumatic powered tools are better than electric or human-powered hand tools. Some of the reasons are as follows: Lightweight design Reliable power source Safer power option Lightweight Design Every pound of weight matters to your...

5 Reasons to Choose An Underhood Air Compressor For Your Work Van

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Over the last decade, the popularity of commercial vans has steadily grown, as fleet managers and business owners look for cost-savings and improved efficiency in their vehicles. Many companies offer different outfitting options specific to vans, including shelving, storage boxes, tools, and accessories. In the case of air compressors, there are several different solutions, but only one air compressor has been specifically engineered for commercial vans, and that’s the UNDERHOOD 40 Van Series Air Compressor. Here we’ll explore the top 5 reasons to choose an UNDERHOOD air compressor for your work van, instead of a traditional standalone air compressor inside of your van. 1. Lightweight The UNDERHOOD 40 Van Series Air Compressor is lightweight, cutting down GVW by as much as 290 lbs.This means you can carry more tools and equipment, or take advantage of improved fuel economy. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that for every 100 lbs taken from your vehicle,...