How congestion costs your fleet
While congestion on the roads also affects individual drivers, it has a significant impact on fleet operations, which can lead to an increase in costs and a reduction in efficiency. For businesses that rely on transportation, finding ways to avoid traffic can save time, money and fuel expenditure.
Data from the Inrix Global Traffic Scorecard discovered that UK fleets lost significant amounts of income and working hours due to congestion.
On average, drivers in London lost 156 hours due to congestion in 2022, with average speeds of just 10mph. The UK’s second worst city for congestion was Bristol, losing on average 91 hours due to congestion, with the average across the UK being around 80 hours spent in traffic last year.
With motorists in the UK losing an average of 80 hours due to congestion, this is calculated to have cost each driver £707 in lost time, including paying £122 more for fuel due to oil prices. This equates to a total loss of £9.5 billion, and the cost-of-living crisis has added 25 percent to the cost of fuel for commuters on top of this. Meanwhile, commuting in London cost the average driver £1,377 in lost time.
A spokesperson from Inrix Global stated:
“Analytics on mobility, traffic and traffic signals, parking and population movement help city planners and engineers make data-based decisions to prioritise spending to maximize benefits and reduce costs now and into the future. Access to reliable data is the first step in tackling congestion. Applying big data to create intelligent transportation systems is key to solving urban mobility problems.”
The following are some of the ways that congestion can negatively impact a fleet and its operations.
Congestion increases travel time
Congestion on the roads can increase travel time for your fleet, resulting in wasted fuel which can become costly for your drivers and business as a whole.
Increased traffic can increase accident rates
Increased traffic volume can potentially lead to higher accident rates, which in turn results in increased insurance premiums for drivers.
Traffic can lead to missed appointments or deadlines
Another way that congestion can cost fleets money is through reduced productivity. Traffic may disrupt your schedule, and could even result in missed business opportunities and income. Congestion could also lead to missed delivery deadlines or appointments. Missed deliveries and deadlines can also damage the reputation of the business and its revenue.
Congestion may incur additional charges
While the main way that congestion costs fleets money is through increased fuel consumption, commuting in congested areas may also incur additional expenses such as parking fees or tolls, which can add up over time. Certain cities, such as London, Birmingham and Bristol even have “Clean Air Zones” and congestion charges or for entering zones during certain times.
Congestion negatively impacts the environment
Idling vehicles that are stuck in traffic can have a negative impact on the environment, contributing to increased air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Traffic may cause vehicle wear and tear
The most significant issue that causes wear and tear on your vehicle while in traffic is how much you use the brakes. Repeatedly having to use your brakes in a traffic jam can wear out your brake pads, as well as wasting your fuel.
To address these challenges, fleet operators can utilize a range of strategies to minimise the impact of congestion on their operations. This can include investing in telematics to provide real-time information on traffic conditions, enabling drivers to adjust their routes accordingly. Additionally, fleet operators can consider investing in electric vehicles to reduce fuel costs and emissions.
How Can We Help?
If fleet operations are an essential part of your business, our telematics solutions could save you time and money. Using cutting-edge technology, your drivers are set on the most optimal route for their journey. This saves you time by avoiding congested areas. Our Telematics can promote more efficient driving behaviours which can also help your fleets environmental impact. A more optimal route limits the time your drivers are on the road, cutting harmful emissions and making for greener operations.
Fuel cards can also be hugely beneficial to your fleet, as they are an excellent way to manage and monitor the fuel consumption of your business. At Cambrian Fuel Card Services, we have a portfolio of fuel cards with an extensive network covering many UK sites, including access to an extensive electric vehicle charging network under our Shell EV card.
By taking a proactive approach to managing congestion, fleet operators can reduce costs and improve efficiency within their fleet operations.
Useful links:
To find out more about our fuel cards can help your business, click here – https://www.cambriancards.com/fuel-cards
To learn more about how our telematics devices can help your business, click here – https://www.cambriancards.com/telematics
INRIX 2022 Global Traffic Scorecard – https://inrix.com/scorecard/