“As a result of the combined technology, the data we can obtain is game changing.”
We caught up with Tony Draper, Head of SHEQ at M Group Services Plant & Fleet Solutions. Tony tells us how the ‘game changing’ combined technology from Motormax and Samsara has reduced incident frequency and helped the business to meet FORS standards.
Reducing incident frequency
M Group Services Plant & Fleet Solutions (MGSPFS) is the fourth largest fleet in the UK with over 8,500 vehicles. The business provides plant and fleet to M Group Services, the leading essential infrastructure services provider operating within water, energy, transport and telecommunication sectors across the UK & Ireland.
The team at MGSPFS required a system that would highlight health and safety risks to its people and members of the public. Having this many vehicles on the road, there is a risk of incidents taking place. The business wanted to increase its understanding of road incidents and determine what action can be taken to help prevent them happening in future. This was about how road users behave as well as environmental and weather conditions.
Industry-first fleet safety solution
A cutting-edge system that gives immediate visibility in and around MGSPFS vehicles, has been created. This industry-first collaboration with Motormax and Samsara detects risks and alerts drivers and managers to protect M Group Services’ people and the public from harm. Motormax technology is fully integrated with the Samsara cloud-based platform delivering a comprehensive, single solution.
Q&A with Tony Draper
What brought you to seek additional fleet safety solutions?
“We found that standard telematics didn’t give us all the information we required. Yes, we could collect data on speeding and harsh braking but when an incident occurred, there was no context explaining the full extent of what happened. This led us to talks with Samsara to see what other information we could gather to give us a better understanding of incidents.”
How does the solution benefit drivers?
“The system can detect a multitude of issues such as the vehicle being overweight, ancillary equipment not being stowed correctly and if the stabilising legs are not retracted fully. If there are issues like this, the driver is immediately notified through a visual and spoken voice warning. Transport controllers are also made aware through email notifications.”
How does the fleet safety technology reduce incident frequency?
“We benefit from Samsara’s system notifying us when a driver is distracted or if an incident has occurred. This immediacy of knowledge means we can contact our driver and review the 360o footage available to have a comprehensive understanding of what has happened. The system provides us with almost immediate knowledge and the ability to reduce the chances of incidents happening again.”
How does the technology assist with training?
“As a result of the combined Samsara and Motormax technology, the data we can obtain is game changing. This information provides us with actionable insights so we can make informed decisions and offer more extensive training to our people.”
How does the solution assist with compliance?
“We have a duty of care to our people and other road users. Integrating Samsara and Motormax’s technology in our vehicles means we can meet and exceed Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) standards. This system helps us reinforce a responsible driver culture and allows us to maintain M Group Services’ high health and safety standards.”
Safetymax technology
Safetymax technology is a visual and spoken voice warning and a live five-camera system recording 360° around the vehicle capturing footage from the journey and its operation. The innovation alerts drivers to potential issues which are also reported remotely via the Samsara telematics connected operations cloud platform. This includes video footage so logistics controllers and transport managers are aware of the alert and can review footage for future learning and education.
Moving forward, this is now a standard specification for all MGSPFS HGV’s and can be adapted to ensure that full camera and compliance coverage is maintained across the fleet. The system can be adapted for all vehicle types to ensure that each piece of ancillary equipment is being transported in the safest possible manner.
Webinar – find out more
Hear first-hand from James Haycock, Motormax’s Co-Founder and Director and Max Eversfield, Samsara’s Solutions Consultant and Tony Draper, Head of SHEQ at M Group Services Plant & Fleet Solutions. The team discuss how the automated use of vehicle telematics and 360-degree video-based safety solutions can improve fleet safety. Watch here.
“This industry-leading solution shows what’s possible when you combine M Group Services unswerving commitment to safety with connected smart solutions that can make it happen. By harnessing vehicle telematics and 360-degree vehicle cameras and feeding them into Samsara’s cloud platform, we have taken fleet safety to a whole new level. This solution is about using technology for good. It’s about using technology to make our roads and vehicles safer.” Max Eversfield, Fleet Consultant, Samsara.
If you would like to discuss how you can improve fleet safety, contact us.