March 2013 Volume 33, Issue 3 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
Trucking telematics
Tail Blazers
You’ve got data. Now, your insurer wants it. By James Menzies MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Insurance companies love data. They really do. And they’re very good at analyzing and interpreting data. So, it should come as little surprise that insurance providers are looking for ways to tap into the telematics data being generated by their fleet customers. The term telematics is loosely defined as driver behaviour or vehicle performance data that’s transmitted from a vehicle to a Web site or other device for analysis. The term insurance telematics is just now entering the Canadian trucking industry’s dialect, though in other parts of the world such as Europe, it’s practically mainstream. Scott Cober, vice-president, national leader with Marsh Canada’s trucking practice, told the Toronto chapter of the Fleet Safety Council recently that by 2017, there will be 89 million users of usage-based insurance around the world. Usagebased insurance, or UBI, can be broken down into two categories: Pay As You Drive (where premiums are set based on mileage driven) or Pay How You Drive (where premiums reflect driving behaviour, as measured by on-board telematics). Insurance companies are particuContinued on page 14
This Quebec fleet says it’s saving 10,000 gallons of diesel a month with trailer tails. So, why are they illegal in Canada?
quick payback: Trans-West fleet director Michel Morin opens a fuelsaving TrailerTail. The devices must be folded in while in Canada, but even so, they’re paying big dividends on US miles. Photo by Carroll McCormick
Sprint to the Arctic
By Carroll McCormick MONTREAL, Que. – Taking yet another step to reduce fuel consumption, Montreal-based Groupe Trans-West has installed trailer tails on the 120 trailers it uses for US-bound trips. The carrier values the monthly fuel savings at $54,000. “You cannot really calculate the savings in percentages, because different tractors have different fuel consumption. In our tests, the best calculation was that for every 1,000 miles running you will save six to eight US gallons of fuel,” says Pierre Savard, director of training, Trans-West. The carrier logs 90% of its miles in the US, where trailer tails are permitted. If Canadian regulations change to permit their use north of the border, fuel savings for Trans-West could increase another 10%. Continued on page 11
Inside This Issue...
• Fleets get social: Surveys indicate Canadian fleets are slow to
join the social media party. But, those who are getting involved say they’re reaping the benefits. Page 20
• Shoping for used iron?: A glut of low-mileage used trucks in good condition means truckers are having to get over their fears of DPFs. Page 33
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter may be among the smallest of commercial vehicles. Can it perform in the harshest of conditions?
Page 40
Our mufflers are stronger, last longer and save you $$$!
• New direction: Muir’s Cartage, one of Ontario’s longest-running fleets, will no longer use company drivers.
Page 39
• Like a lamb to slaughter: Mark Dalton needs a load. Bad. Even if it’s a live load – literally.
Page 60
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