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Highways England to lift 200 miles of roadworks for Christmas

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More than 97 per cent of motorways and strategic A-roads will be roadworks-free in time for Christmas, meaning motorists and hauliers alike can get on with last-minute shopping and delivery journeys with as little disruption as possible.

Where it is safe to do so, roadworks will be lifted or suspended on England’s motorways and major A-roads by 6am on Friday 21 December until 12.01am on Wednesday 2 January.

Highways England’s customer service director Melanie Clarke said: “We’re doing everything we can to make journeys as smooth as possible for this Christmas getaway and that’s why we’re keeping more than 97 per cent of our road network free from roadworks.

“We know that the Christmas period is one of the busiest times on our roads and we’d also like to remind people about the importance of checking their vehicle before setting off on their journeys. Simple things like checking your fuel and oil levels, tyre pressures and that all lights are working properly, can keep you moving and the network flowing.”

Highways England says its traffic officers will be working around the clock, patrolling the network to help those who do get into difficulty.

And the company responsible for managing England’s major road network is also reminding people to leave plenty of distance between themselves and the vehicle in front to avoid tailgating.

Statistics released earlier this year show that one in eight of all road casualties are caused by people who drive too close to the vehicle in front, with more than 100 people killed or seriously injured each year.

To celebrate the importance of the major A-road and motorway network over the festive break, a special animation has been produced:

More companies looking to offer employees vehicle benefits

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Research has revealed higher levels of interest from different businesses looking to provide vehicle solutions to their employee base.

“Many businesses are looking for ways to improve their benefits offering to employees but at zero or little cost,” said Richard Cox, Fleet Consultant at Arval. “Extending vehicle provision is an excellent solution to this need, especially as a wider range of product offerings are becoming available right across the market. It is now possible to provide a car solution for just about any corporate setting.”

Cox added that offering modern vehicles also created benefits, such as improved environmental performance and reduction in the managerial difficulties surrounding grey fleet usage.

“In offering new, or nearly new, vehicles alongside maintenance and insurance packages, employers can mitigate some of the duty of care issues that are inherent in grey fleet,” added Cox.

“Of course, putting employees into newer cars will almost always also create environmental benefits, with lower polluting cars and potentially wider adoption of hybrids and EVs. This is a definite win from a CSR point of view.”

Cox continued: “Certainly, we are seeing much higher levels of interest from many different kinds of businesses and it could well develop into a key fleet trend in 2019.”

Fleet Services Management Summit 2019 – Register your place!

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Make sure you register for the Fleet Services Management Summit – a unique two-day event tailor-made for senior fleet managers.

It takes place on November 11th & 12th 2019 at the Whittlebury Hall Hotel in Northamptonshire –  and is FREE for you to attend!

Simply register your place here.

  • Meet with innovative and budget-saving suppliers based on your own requirements
  • Attend a series of insightful seminars
  • Network with like-minded fleet managers
  • Enjoy complimentary overnight accommodation, all meals and refreshments, plus an invitation to our gala dinner, with entertainment.
  • Give your business the edge in 2019 and beyond

Don’t miss out! There are only a limited number of VIP places available.

Or for more information call Katie Bullot on 01992 374049 or email k.bullot@forumevents.co.uk.

To attend as a supplier, call Chris Cannon on 01992 374096 or email c.cannon@forumevents.co.uk.

Ford using ‘big data’ in London to predict traffic incidents

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Ford claims it has come up with a means by which so-called ‘big data’ could potentially help cities identify locations most likely to be the scene of future traffic incidents.

Its Smart Mobility division has spent the last year recording 1 million kilometres of vehicle and driver behaviour in and around London.

The company tracked vehicle journeys in the city and logged detailed driving data from driving events such as braking, the severity of that braking, and where hazard warning lights were applied.

This helped Ford to identify what it calls “near-misses”, which were then cross-referenced against existing accident reports, using an algorithm to determine the likelihood of where future incidents might occur.

“We believe our insights have the potential to benefit millions of people. Even very small changes could make a big difference – maybe cutting back a tree that has obscured a road sign – whether in terms of traffic flow, road safety or efficiency,” said Jon Scott, Project Lead at City Data Solutions, Ford Smart Mobility.

This concept was identified in the Ford City Data Report, which took its findings from more than 15,000 days of vehicle use, from 160 connected vans in the city.

Ford’s fleet of vans covered more than 1 million kilometres, the equivalent of 20 times around the earth, and delivered 500 million data points – each vehicle in the study was equipped with a simple plug-in device that recorded the journey data and then sent it to the cloud for analysis.

Data scientists from Ford’s Global Data Insight and Analytics team were then able to analyse the information through an interactive dashboard. Ford says the technology could be applied in any road environment, not just in cities.

The report also investigated other opportunities, such as how scheduling delivery van journeys for earlier in the day, before peak times, could benefit all road users, and how using journey data could help to identify the best locations for electric vehicle charging points.

“The Ford City Data Report is a showcase of what we at Ford can do with connected vehicle data, smart infrastructure, and our analytical capabilities. We are calling on cities to work with us to collectively solve problems that they can become even better places to live and work in,” said Sarah-Jayne Williams, director, Ford Smart Mobility, Ford of Europe.

For the full report, visit citydatareport.fordmedia.eu.

Our friends electric: 89% of UK fleets to change to electric before 2030

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89% of UK-based fleet managers expect electric vehicles (EVs) to play a major role in their businesses fleet by 2030.

The research, published by Geotab, also revealed that almost half of the 250 fleets surveyed in the UK do not currently have any EVs.

48% of those polled said Government initiatives were a leading motivator for the change to electric, while 48% said improvements to charging EVs, along with 32% who said improved selection of models also contributed to the growth of EV fleets.

Anticipation of the Government bringing in regulations regarding the implementation of EV fleets, similar to the ‘Road To Nowhere’ initiative, was commonplace, with 88% of fleet managers saying it was likely to happen.

Benefits to an electric fleet included 59% who agreed it was better for the environment, 46% who anticipated more efficient energy costs due to rising petrol and diesel prices and improved maintenance and  upkeep costs (42%).

“These survey results help to demonstrate that the government’s call for an EV future is not something businesses are taking lightly,” said Edward Kulperger, VP Europe at Geotab. “With most fleet leaders looking to have a fully EV-dependent fleet over the next few years, it’s no longer a question of if, but rather how soon a complete overhaul can take place.

“Based upon the outcome of this survey, it’s clear that businesses and fleets feel they now need additional government initiatives and smart updates to critical infrastructure across the UK.

“If this can be made a priority, as a nation, Geotab is confident that the UK can take a spot as one of the most innovative global leaders trying to help push the widespread adoption of green transportation in the coming years.”

Less than 2% of those polled for the survey claimed that there are no benefits to an EV fleet.

Do you specialise in Electric & Hybrid fleet vehicles? We want to hear from you!

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Each month on Fleet Management Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the fleet & logistics market – and in January we’ll be focussing on Electric & Hybrid Vehicles.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help fleet buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re a supplier of Electric & Hybrid Vehicles and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Chris Cannon on 01992 374096 / c.cannon@forumevents.co.uk.

Here are the areas we’ll be covering in 2019, month by month:

January – Electric & Hybrid Vehicles
February – Dash Cams
March – Driver Training
April – Accident & Risk Management
May – Fleet Management Software
June – Telematics
July – Contract Hire & Leasing
August – LPG/Alternative Fuel & Fuel Management
September – Vehicle Tracking
October – Duty of Care
November – Grey Fleet
December – Service, Maintenance & Repair

For more information on any of the above, contact Chris Cannon on 01992 374096 / c.cannon@forumevents.co.uk.

UK heavy truck market falls 7.0% in Q3 2018

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The UK new heavy goods vehicle (HGV) market declined by 7.0% in Q3 2018, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

9,853 heavy trucks were registered between June and September, which the SMMT says is a result of fluctuating fleet buying cycles and ongoing falls in business confidence.

Registrations of rigid trucks declined in the third quarter, down -9.8%, with a -6.0% decrease in the >6-16T segment and a -11.9% decline in the >16T segment.

Meanwhile, demand for artic vehicles also fell, by -3.1% to 4,246 units. Tractors remained the most popular vehicle, despite a -4.1% drop in demand, accounting for more than two fifths (42.8%) of the market. Skip loaders and box vans were the only segments to record growth in the quarter, up 11.1% and 2.4% respectively.

It was a similar picture in the year-to-date figures, with overall HGV registrations falling -7.5% to 30,308 units, with declines in demand for both rigids (-9.9%) and artics (-4.1%).

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “While fluctuating fleet buying cycles are a natural feature of the HGV market, given this quarter marks the fifth consecutive decline, there is no doubt that a fall in operator confidence is having an impact on registrations of these big ticket purchases. Government must address the current economic and political uncertainty if we are to get more of these high-tech, ultra-low emission vehicles on to our roads, and to ensure the sector can prosper.”

EVENT REVIEW: Fleet Services Management Summit 2018

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The UK’s senior fleet professionals converged on Whittlebury Hall in Northampton on October 29th& 30thfor two full working days of networking and connection building at the Fleet Services Management Summit.

More than 60 delegates and a host of leading industry suppliers and solution providers talked through projects, objectives and challenges in a series of one-to-one business meetings and interactive seminars.

The event’s opening keynote address was delivered by Paul Jeffs, Transport & Training Compliance Manager at The Clancy Group, while other speakers included Shaun Sadlier, Head of Consultancy & Corporate Vehicle Observatory at Arval UK; Euan Anson, National Account Manager at Rexel UK; Peter Thompson, Managing Director at Cantrack; and Peter Eldridge, a Director at ICFM. 

The supplier roll call included Arval, Astrata, Autoglass, Auto Windscreens, Bridgestone, DriveTech, Fiat Chrysler, Honda, LeasePlan, Northgate, Reflex, Renault, TomTom, TTC, Fletter Ventilator, Matrix Telematics, RingGo, Traffilog, Stewart Signs and more. 

Attending delegates included representatives from the Aggreko, Amey Arcese UK LTD, Babcock International Group, Biffa Municipal Ltd, British Heart Foundation, Central England Co-Operative Limited, Derbyshire Constabulary, Dorest & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Enfield Council, G4S UK & Ireland, Hampshire Transport Management, Manchester United Football Club, NHS – Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Royal Mail, The Salvation Army, Travis Perkins plc, Virgin Media, Warburtons and more.

Sarah Hendy, Managing Director at Forum Events, said: “It was fantastic to see so many delegates and suppliers make new connections during the event, illustrating just what an exciting time it is for the sector.

“The Summit is a great way for the entire fleet industry to come together under one roof – we can’t wait to welcome everyone back next year.”

To secure a complimentary delegate place at the 2019 Fleet Services Management Summit, call Katie Bullot on 01992 374049 or email k.bullot@forumevents.co.uk.

To attend as a supplier, call Chris Cannon on 01992 374096 or email c.cannon@forumevents.co.uk.

For more information, visit www.fleetservicesmanagementsummit.co.uk.

Welcome to the Fleet Management Briefing

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We’re delighted to introduce the Fleet Management Briefing – your one-stop source of fleet and logistics industry news, in-depth analysis, events and jobs.

The Fleet Management Briefing is brought to you by Forum Events, the company behind the enormously popular Fleet Services Management Summit – a highly-focused event that brings fleet professionals and key industry solution providers together for one-to-one business meetings, interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities.

We’ll be delivering the latest news and topical discussion from across the fleet sector, directly to the people who matter – through this online portal and a fortnightly email newsletter.

Our readership includes key decision makers from across the industry, encompassing Fleet Managers, Fleet Engineers, Heads of Operations, Transport Managers, Asset Managers and many more, plus the countless suppliers who provide the sector with essential products and services.

For all Fleet Management Briefing enquiries, contact Chris Cannon on 01992 374096 or email c.cannon@forumevents.co.uk.