How to develop vehicle equipment specifications Generating proper vehicle specifications does not have to be the mystery it seems David Higgins Director, Central Fleet Maintenance City of Boston, Massachusetts Member, APWA Fleet Services Committee ne of the most critical and time-consuming parts of a fleet manager’s annual requirements is the determination of the required vehicle specifications for the next year’s purchases. The process can be as difficult as one wants to make it or as easy as the following text details. The following is a comprehensive yet simplified format to follow when specifying your fleet vehicles, and can be tweaked to suit your own personal needs.
BEGIN WITH THE END: WHO? Who will operate this vehicle or piece of equipment? A critical and often overlooked piece of information regarding the creation of equipment specifications is the people factor. Just as with the proper component selection, the ultimate users can be the defining factor for equipment longevity. Consideration must be given to the individual, or group, that will operate the vehicle or piece of equipment. Are there any particular physical concerns or restrictions you need to take into consideration? If so, are there reasonable accommodations that can be specified to address the issue, such as possible relocation of controls or modification of access/egress for anyone/group? Does the unit described in the specification require any level of special licensing? Do all of the potential users possess the correct operating authority? Will the new unit be utilized by more than one entity, and if so, does an inventory of operators exist?
NEXT STEP: WHAT? What’s the skill level of the potential vehicle operators? As you establish a list of potential operators, consideration of skills required should be factored. What, if any, unique operational considerations should be taken into account? Is the proposed unit of similar size, functional components (i.e., transmission, method of power and fueling requirements) and operating characteristics as the unit being replaced? Can the specification be modified, without compromising functional intent, to address any major differences from the unit that is being replaced? Once all of these factors have been considered, an inventory of skills for potential operators will aid in highlighting the most economical use of training resources.
Tony DiPrizo works in the Central Fleet Maintenance shop.
An inventory of skills should be taken For replacement units, an inventory of the present operators, their functional skills, and level of familiarity with any anticipated change in operational requirements should be a baseline for skills inventory. For equipment that has not been utilized in the past, operational training is a requirement for the bid specification, with a level of competence established, prior to the authorization of usage. Records of training attended should be placed in the operator’s file and a record in the skills inventory database, including the source of training and sanctioning authority. In the event of license requirements, levels of state license authority should be included. Licensing requirements? Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Endorsements? If the proposed equipment meets the definition of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), a CDL is required (49 CFR, PART 383). The definition of a commercial motor vehicle states any motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport property, or passengers, if the motor vehicle: •
Has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds. September 2008
APWA Reporter
29