Logistics and Route / Road Assessments

Fleet management, logistics and freight transport have changed significantly during the past few years. Much of this is directly related to the information age where technological advancement, mobile data and analytics are enabling a new connected world of transport.

Some of these advances include the availability of data from telematics helping to monitor and analyse a fleet and drivers in real-time, providing superior journey management for greater efficiencies, enhanced safety and ultimately cost-savings for the customer.

Despite all these changes many of the fundamentals of a safe transport industry have remained unchanged. Caring for drivers, protecting the lives of road users and risk management remain as important as ever and are not negotiable.

Information and Data Sharing

Some of the major positives for road freight transport in this information era are increased customer collaboration and supply chain integration. With so much real-time information now available, there is also greater data sharing and collaboration with customers, making supply chains more transparent and efficient.

Best practice for the fleet manager includes equipping and preserving the lives of drivers and other road users. The more risk-averse you are, and the better innovation in use, the more efficient and safe the operations will be.

One of the methods used by fleet operators to better manage risk is to ensure informed decisions about route management. We approached a route assessor from Barloworld Transport traveling and assessing roads daily with the objective to analyse and compile the information needed for such decisions.

How would you describe the route assessment job profile?

Route risk assessments are a key aspect of on-road risk management.

It is part of new route planning requirements and involves physical risk assessment of the proposed routes. The assessment identifies high risk areas and ensures that appropriate route alterations can be made to minimize risks to as low as reasonably practicable to ultimately protect our most important assets being our drivers and property.

The route risk assessments further identify safe stop areas, high risk, road conditions, weather conditions and applicable safety precautions.

Drivers are briefed on the above.

In conclusion it is a live process where if conditions change or incident / accidents occurs the route risk assessment is reviewed and appropriate corrective / preventative measures implemented.

Do you regard this is an essential contribution to informed decision making by the transport operators?

Most certainly as per above.

How many kilometres do you as route assessor cover annually?

All new routes are assessed and as far as into the African continent. Km included thereby changes in terms of new business etc.

Do you have to focus on the main routes - the national routes - or do you also focus on the rural routes?

Risk is fluid and all routes are covered.

Would you agree that there are substantial differences with regards to the maintenance and care of national roads in comparison to roads in rural areas?

National roads are maintained better than rural roads. From a risk perspective the risk profile of these are different and therefore route risk assessments are vital to ensure protection of drivers and property.

In assessing roads / routes – do you focus on both the components that could affect time of travel as well as increased risk to vehicle maintenance and possible damage to vehicles?

Yes, the focus includes both as it is interrelated with the risk profiles and business outputs / delivery / costs.

How well are we equipped in the road freight industry to provide fast and effective assistance in the event of vehicle breakdown / vehicle recovery?

We maintain an integrated safety, health, environmental risk management system that includes emergency response e.g. tracking, medical, spill response, liaising with authorities’ emergency services, scene assistance / investigation and recovery, claims management etc.

Having travelled so much - what are your perceptions of the South African road user with regard to adherence of the Rules of the road?

From incident profiles it appears that major road accident contributing factors are prevalent among road behaviours of all our road users.

Examples are not adhering to following distances / speed limits.

From a Barloworld Transport perspective, road behavioural safety programs have been implemented that monitors the driving of all drivers in our fleet including aspects such as speed, acceleration, following distances, fatigue etc.

From the analysis and identification, the drivers are provided with feedback and behavioural change communications are held with individual drivers. We have implemented driver award programs where desired behaviours are also rewarded.

Do you discuss challenges on the road with truck drivers on a regular basis and are they very forthcoming with regards to info on difficulties experiences?

The on-road behavioural safety programs facilitate one- on-one communications in terms of behavioural modification as well as live route risks identified by our drivers and actually all staff through e.g. Unrest Hot Spot feedback affecting immediate business response.

Do you think that there is room for more collaboration between different transport operators in identifying challenges/ threats to road safety?

Yes, the more collaboration between all interested and affected parties can only improve on- road safety and challenges. The aforesaid must include the public as road users.

Are there consultation and discussion with road maintenance teams or transport authorities as to specific threats on our roads and can we do more to make our roads safer?

Yes. Structured forums are maintained with authorities as well as encouraging feedback from the public. Barloworld Transport strives towards smart transport solutions and providing a reputable service and presence on the roads is key. Feedback systems from road users that includes reporting of complaints and compliments are maintained. The business investigates and provides feedback to the aforesaid.