By Mat Rong Vang ( Ctrack Indochina )

08/09/2010 A vehicle and driver management strategy that uses DigiCore’s Ctrack system has helped Royal Mail to reduce fuel usage by more than 10 per cent – a saving of £4.4 million – whilst improving the efficiency and accident record of its collections and delivery fleet

Ctrack was fitted on 8,000 vehicles in the Royal Mail fleet to improve route planning and analysis, enhance driver performance and increase management control.

The web-based, multi-user solution, which can support up to 3,000 users, is deployed to staff responsible for managing the Royal Mail UK collections and delivery network that encompasses 114,000 post boxes, 68 mail centres, 1,400 delivery offices and 12,000 Post Office branches.

The vehicle tracking solution has formed an essential element of the vehicle and driver management strategy designed to improve road safety, reduce fleet size and drive down fuel consumption. The strategy has also included a driver risk assessment initiative, which has seen 27,000 drivers assessed and given individual risk ratings. Drivers have then been provided with tailored training schedules that include a mix of classroom-based and in-vehicle courses to improve road skills and driving behaviour.

Royal Mail has accessed real-time and historical fleet data via Ctrack to monitor the effectiveness of the driver risk assessment initiative. To date, driver productivity has increased by three per cent, accident rates have been reduced by 20 per cent and instances of speeding are down by more than 60 per cent. Meanwhile, harsh braking has been reduced by 70 per cent contributing to greater fleet efficiency.

Mike Devanny, Head of Fleet and Maintenance Services at Royal Mail, said: “We have implemented the vehicle and driver management strategy to support our objective to become the lowest cost postal operator delivering market leading quality of service.”

Tom O’Connor, Managing Director of DigiCore Ltd said: “Our partnership approach has enabled us to develop a customised vehicle tracking system that has delivered genuine fleet savings as part of a wider management initiative. The flexibility of Ctrack combined with our unrivalled support ensures that the solution meets the precise needs of Royal Mail.”

Ctrack is a real-time vehicle tracking system that provides vital information about mobile assets and workforce. Suitable for fleets of all sizes, Ctrack can deliver real operational and business benefits to fleets by reducing fuel consumption; optimising vehicle utilisation; improving driver performance and safety; enhancing service levels; and increasing protection against vehicle theft.