Preparing for the DOT Blitz

Department of Transportation (DOT) inspections climbed 10.5% in 2021.

With inspections on the rise, now is a very good time for American fleets to review their maintenance policies and the processes they use to enforce them. Is your fleet up to speed?

Vulnerability + Scrutiny

The increase in DOT crackdowns is occurring at a time of historic equipment stress. As new truck production remains constricted and spare parts of all types are in short supply, fleets are extending their scheduled maintenance periods and keeping equipment in service longer than in the past. On top of that, today’s capacity shortage has available equipment working harder.

Proof of the risks to fleets is in a recent TMC/FleetNetAmerica survey, which found during the first quarter of 2021, fleets averaged 29,506 miles of operation between unscheduled road repairs—down 18.7% from the fourth quarter of 2020.

Using Remote Diagnosis

Parts are failing. As scheduled maintenance periods extend, it’s the Wild West in terms of expectations. It’s important to keep close tabs on equipment to avoid a breakdown or unscheduled inspection discovering a problem.

Remote diagnostics that catch mechanical problems make more sense than ever. Something like a brake or tire infraction—two of the three most common violations leading to out-of-service orders (OOS)—could cost you time and money.

Get Proactive About Fleet Maintenance

Now’s the time to employ connected solutions linking truck to shop. With actionable, real-time vehicle information, fleets can ensure compliance by continuously identifying and rectifying potential mechanical problems that could lead to violations later.

Good for Inspections = Good for Uptime

Maintenance connectivity uses telematics to promote a state of good repair. It helps prevent unscheduled service events and hazardous driving conditions through early detection and continuous checks.

Telematic solutions power better preventative-maintenance planning by sharing real-time meter information and DVIRs for the trucks in your fleet, so you can prioritize PM and schedule it at the right times to keep trucks on the road.

Today’s advanced systems enable fleet managers to monitor fault codes and read electronic control module (ECM) data to spot trends and determine the right course of action regarding vehicle maintenance.

Avoiding Out-of-Service Violations

Keeping your equipment in a compliant and safe state of repair is contingent on parts and labor availability. Both are in high demand in today’s market. Fleet maintenance and shop software is more important than ever.

Invest in software that enables you to seamlessly track every part in your warehouse and reorder each time a part is used. That way, you’ll always have parts in stock when you need them. Leverage technology supporting your people’s productivity, too, through mobility that enables techs to access shop details like equipment history, ROs, and more from a mobile device in the yard, garage or warehouse.

Keeping tight control of equipment repair is the way to prepare for spot inspections and keep your fleet in a safe and profitable state. It’s no easy task in this market, but connectivity through technology can help you anticipate many risks and create plans that control costs.

Ready to find out how? Connect with us today to learn more about how Trimble solutions can help you maximize the uptime and productivity of your assets.