Fleet owners have many questions regarding integrating GPS technology. While software updates and installing hardware may take some technical experience, their primary concern usually focuses on how to tell truck drivers about the change. While many fleet owners invest in GPS tracking to improve safety, efficiency, and accountability, many drivers take the stance that their employer doesn’t trust them. However, by establishing transparent communication prior to making the change, fleet managers can help reduce employee concerns.

4 Steps for Successful GPS Tracking Integration

The following are some of the most common questions fleet managers and owners have regarding GPS tracking:

  1. How do I address employee concerns? As mentioned above, fleet leadership needs to implement open lines of communication that allow employees to voice their concerns. Once managers know the issues, they can address them and debunk any myths. Managers need to emphasize that the technology is not about lack of trust. It’s there to make jobs easier, solve common safety problems, and increase revenue. GPS tracking is about providing trucking telematics data to carriers to improve driver experience and reduce the likelihood of unexpected safety and security issues.
  2. Should I explain the difficulties that resulted in GPS tracking implementation? Many fleet owners are hesitant to discuss business concerns with their truck drivers. They don’t want to appear as weak or give cause for concern about the stability of the company. However, if they can present facts to the drivers, it can go a long way toward overall acceptance of the technology. For example, if speeding citations and fines are at an unprecedented high for the company, GPS tracking can help eliminate the problem and the associated cost.
  3. When do I tell employees about GPS tracking? Fleet managers know when their employees are going to balk against a change. This often leads to them delaying telling the employees about it until the change is already in place. Waiting to tell employees about GPS tracking can backfire tremendously. No employee will appreciate their manager blindsiding them with GPS data when they had no idea the system was in place. At the very least, management needs to tell employees before using the data.
  4. What are the benefits of GPS tracking for truck drivers? One of the easiest ways to gain employee acceptance for GPS tracking it to explain how it benefits them. Most benefits of GPS tracking and telematics are obvious only to management—more effective business operations, improved safety, and increased revenue. However, when a company has more money available, they are able to increase salaries, offer safe driver bonuses, or implement other incentives for truck drivers. GPS tracking also provides clear data to help drivers see where they need to improve in order to achieve these bonuses or incentives.

GPS tracking technology can provide a significant number of benefits for trucking companies, but failing to take the right steps to introduce it to truck drivers can set companies back. Establishing open lines of communication, explaining the need for the technology, and highlighting how it benefits drivers well before implementing the technology can help achieve the wanted outcome. To learn more about how GPS technology can benefit your fleet, contact the experts at DriverCheck.