City to Leverage Technology to Meet Goals of Continuous Improvement
City Council, at its November 20 meeting, gave their support for the Facilities and Fleet Management Division’s capital project initiative that will help modernize City operations by installing global positioning system (GPS) into all civic vehicles. A second initiative to have “How’s My Driving?” decals added to civic vehicles in early 2018, also received positive support.
Corporate-Wide GPS Installation: Civic Vehicles & Equipment
“We’re committed to the safety of our employees, protecting our assets and improving civic operations. GPS will assist with driver safety and working alone scenarios, and will also offer reporting and trending data to enable us to be more efficient in our dispatching and utilization of our vehicles and equipment,” says Troy LaFreniere, Director of Facilities & Fleet Management.
It is estimated that GPS system installation on City vehicles and equipment has the potential to save approximately $500,000 annually in reduced fuel costs. It is expected that after the award of tender, implementation of GPS in civic vehicles will commence mid-2018.
“GPS is a positive new initiative that will assist our City teams with the changing demands of service and in delivering the high standards of performance we’re responsible for every day,” adds LaFreniere.
The addition of GPS on City vehicles and equipment will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) tied to City operations. This initiative will support the City with its long-term goal of managing operations in a smart, sustainable way.
To develop a successful Corporate GPS Policy on vehicle usage and operation, comprehensive planning for the GPS installation initiative will involve all City Unions and Associations.
"How’s My Driving?” Decals
The installation of “How’s My Driving?” decals to civic fleet vehicles will complement the City’s existing safe driving initiatives, such as motor vehicle record checks, recognition programs, safety classes, and driver training. Residents will be made aware of the “How’s My Driving?” decal program when it launches in early 2018.
“We want the addition of the decal program to be positive. We are focusing on forward- thinking behavior, encouraging our drivers to continue to make conscious efforts to drive City vehicles and equipment safely and courteously,” says LaFreniere. “The decal program will encourage and support safe driver behaviour, and allow the City to continue mitigating accident risk.”
The decals will display the City’s logo and telephone number for the public to call. All calls will be coordinated between Service Saskatoon and Fleet Services, and directed to the appropriate civic division for follow-up in accordance with the City’s corporate standards for operator expectations.
Other municipalities and corporations which have adopted similar vehicle decal programs have benefitted from accident reduction, citizen appreciation and empowerment to bring forward compliments and concerns, employees making conscious efforts to improve their driving behaviour, and reduced aggressive driving leading to less wear on vehicles, maintenance and fuel costs.