4. Functions
Fleet (vehicle) management can
include a range of functions, such as
vehicle financing, vehicle
maintenance, vehicle telematics
(tracking and diagnostics), driver
management, speed management,
fuel management and health and
safety management etc.
6. Fleet Composition
Help Users Decide What They Need
(And Can Afford!)
Full Time Operations Equipment
Items used often and regularly
e.g. Cars, Dump Trucks, Graders
Limited Use Equipment
External Equipment **
Notas do Editor
This overview of equipment fleet management is designed to provide the viewer a general understanding of the basic fleet management responsibilities and tools.
This photo of Walla Walla County’s seal coating operations reflects a fairly typical county road fleet in Washington State. ER&R programs in Washington now include much more than just road equipment. Since 1977 Sheriff’s vehicles, radios, and even buildings have been placed in ER&R as county officials began to understand how effective fleet management tools were in helping them make sound financial decisions about their fleet costs and needs.
Repairs – assure that repairs are appropriate, efficient and timely Rates – assure that rates reflect the cost of operating, managing and replacing the equipment, not more, not less Replacement – strive for optimal replacement time, reflecting least cost of operations vs. replacement cost Manage – optimize available facilities and crews and recommend changes to assure that optimum level Communicate – with users and decision makers to assure that: Fleet operations meet agency needs Users understand rates and impact of their equipment use Decision makers understand LCC and optimum return on investment, both operationally and financially Select Fleet Equipment – ONLY if it is equipment for which they are directly responsible for its day to day use and operations. Otherwise they must communicate with the users to assure that equipment costs are clearly understood so that users decisions on their equipment needs are well informed. Then get them what they need and are willing to pay for.
Part of your job is to help users understand the most efficient equipment for their needs, and the cost of owning and operating it. You can be a hero or heel, it depends on how well you meet their needs and communicate their options. And you will likely be the resource decision makers will come to in determining if equipment is justified. For purposes of both justification of equipment and setting rates, we will deal with two types of equipment. Fleets start with the cars and trucks used every day for routine operations. Getting to a clients location, a job site, hauling the gravel, grading the roads, or for the Sheriff’s Deputies on their regular patrol duties, are all part of the full time operations equipment. These are fairly simple items to determine their place in the fleet. What I term Limited Use Equipment is more difficult to justify. Such items as snow plows, older vehicles that may have limited life in them but are coming to their economic demise, and specialty equipment are typically justified in other ways, and rates are set differently than full time operations equipment.
