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MARCH 2018 Archive

VOLUME 8, ISSUE 1 MARCH 2018 utilityfleetprofessional.com

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Preventing Future Driving Incidents

| Jim Vaughn, CUSP |
Fleet management economics are not just about predictive scheduling, inspection and maintenance. Yes, you can predict and control operating costs by keeping and analyzing records. But one thing you can’t do is predict accidents, other than predicting you will have one at some point. However, accidents – especially expensive ones – don’t have to be […]
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What’s New in Truck and Van Upfits for Utility Fleets

| Sean M. Lyden |
As you evaluate the specs for your truck and van fleet this year, where do you see the best opportunities for improvement? Could you take weight out of a truck to reduce fuel costs or increase legal payload? Could you upgrade equipment so that crews could get more work done in less time with improved […]
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Utility Fleets to the Rescue in Puerto Rico

| Sean M. Lyden |
This story hasn’t been getting a lot of attention in the national press, but there has been a massive mobilization effort by utilities across the U.S. to send thousands of lineworkers, trucks and pieces of heavy equipment to help restore power to Puerto Rico, where many residents have suffered without electricity since Hurricane Maria pummeled […]
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What Do AI and Machine Learning Mean for Utility Fleets?

| Fiona Soltes |
There are some people who still believe artificial intelligence (AI) is no more than sci-fi wizardry. And there are others who tend to view it with blind optimism, as a kind of be-all, end-all for industries of all types. But somewhere in between, AI has taken its true place as just one piece of a […]
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The State of Lightweight Materials for Utility Fleet Vehicles

| Jim Galligan |
High fuel prices 10 years ago were a big reason for the surge in sales of lightweight materials and components for utility vehicles. Although fuel prices have dropped significantly since then, lightweight alternatives to steel are still popular and have found a solid niche within the market. “While lightweight components are often associated with fuel […]
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Should Your Utility Fleet Consider Using Biodiesel?

| Sandy Smith |
Sustainability is a goal for many utility fleets, but there may not be enough money in the budget – or full stakeholder support – to do all it takes to meet that goal, including overhauling infrastructure, adding new vehicles to the fleet and training staff. That’s where biodiesel can come into play. “Biodiesel can be […]
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Is Cash Still King?

| Sean M. Lyden |
The potential for lower acquisition costs, greater control over resale pricing, no debt added to the balance sheet – these are a few advantages of purchasing vehicles outright, which traditionally has been the prominent fleet acquisition strategy for many utility companies. But according to Paul Lauria, president of Mercury Associates (www.mercury-assoc.com), a fleet management consulting […]
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Strategies for Addressing the Looming Technician Shortage

| Grace Suizo |
With more baby boomers heading into retirement, industries that have benefited from these individuals’ decades of experience and expertise — including the utility fleet sector — are now left to hire and retain new talent. That won’t be easy, according to Jennifer Maher, CEO and executive director of TechForce Foundation (www.techforce.org), whose mission is to […]
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Fleet’s Expanding Role in Making Sure Lineworkers Get Home Safely

| Sean M. Lyden |
Lineworkers truly are heroes in our industry – and in our communities. I’ve gotten to see this firsthand as a resident of Central Florida, which was hit hard by Hurricane Irma last fall, leaving many of us without power for over a week. So, you can imagine how heartening it was to see all the […]
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