Most fleet safety programs have been built around the incident review. A crash happens, followed by an investigation. Procedures are adjusted. Training is reinforced.
There is no doubt this work matters. But what can leaders do to identify and address risk before an incident occurs?
For utility fleets that have invested in telematics, one option is to dig deeper into that wealth of information. C…
As director of administration for the Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (https://eufmc.com), Ann Brown-Hailey has guided the event through decades of growth and change while preserving its unique qualities. Utility fleet-specific educational sessions, equipment demonstrations and displays, networking opportunities and a personal touch keep attendees returning year after year.
Getting St…
Alternative fuels appeal to utility fleets largely because they release fewer emissions and typically cost less than traditional gasoline and diesel. But with numerous options available, how do fleet professionals determine the best fit for their operations?
To answer that question, UFP reached out to several subject matter experts, who shared their take on three options: hydrogen gas, renewable…
As commercial and residential development expand across the U.S., utilities must keep pace with infrastructure installations, maintenance and repairs. This work can require crews to traverse challenging terrain that traditional vehicles weren’t built to handle.
One effective solution? All-terrain utility vehicles.
“With the infrastructure growth that we’re going to have over the next few years, w…
Fleet management responsibilities have expanded in recent years as utilities have invested in advanced vehicle technology, telematics systems and more. Operator readiness, however, is frequently managed by other departments (e.g., training, safety, operations). This fragmented approach to risk potentially puts the keys to best-in-class assets in the hands of workers who are not fully prepared to…
Utility fleets are tough on equipment, sometimes in ways that can be difficult to see. A bucket truck running uneven loads on unpaved roads during storm restoration efforts, for example, will not experience wear and tear in the same way as a delivery van on a highway route. Patterns that lead to failures tend to be gradual and distributed across multiple systems.
In heavy-duty use, traditional mi…
In safety management, data is often treated as objective truth. Leaders use incident rates, near-miss reports, injury trends and predictive models to guide them as they prioritize risk and allocate organizational resources.
Yet data can quietly mislead us, particularly when bias is embedded in what we collect and our measurement and interpretation methods. Effective, ethical safety leaders contin…
Coinciding with the country’s 250th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the 73rd annual Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference will take place May 31 to June 3 at the Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center in Virginia.
“Driving Safety, Sustainability & Technical Expertise” is the theme of this year’s educational program. LG&E and KU’s Peter…
There’s no shortage of innovation in fleet. The challenge isn’t finding new tools – it’s leveraging them in ways that deliver real impact.
That idea is a common thread throughout this issue of Utility Fleet Professional.
Telematics, for instance, has long promised safer, more efficient operations, but data alone won’t alter outcomes. Progress occurs as fleet leaders turn insights into action, red…
Innovative Products of America’s #5410A Alpha MUTT with ABS Slim-Line is the latest addition to the award-winning Alpha MUTT trailer tester series. Built with upfitters and mobile service applications in mind, this unique model maintains the full functionality of IPA’s industry-proven Alpha MUTT platform in a slimmer, space- and weight-saving outfit. Specifically designed for service trucks, PM c…
If you’ve ever struggled to position a standard drain pan under a truck, you know the frustration. The Ken-Tool Low Profile Truck Drain (PN 30599) is purpose-built to solve that problem, giving technicians the clearance, control and efficiency they need to get the job done right.
Designed for real-world shop conditions, this low-profile system slides easily under vehicles where traditional drains…
Texas811, the nonprofit organization that manages the state’s call-before-you-dig system, has launched Texas811 Guardian. The innovative technology uses distributed fiber-optic sensing to turn existing fiber-optic lines into real-time monitoring systems that detect excavation activity, preventing damage before it occurs.
To identify urgent issues, the patent-pending Guardian program directly inte…
TRUCE Software recently announced full availability of its next-generation connected employee and driver safety platform. Six integrated modules deliver a comprehensive approach to managing mobile devices, driver behavior, performance, vehicle health and field team safety.
At the heart of the platform is ENFORCE, TRUCE’s patented engineering control that automatically eliminates device distractio…
The APEX AL10C two-post lift by BendPak provides popular features, including a 10,000-pound capacity. Its clear-floor design provides unrestricted under-the-vehicle movement. With flexible arm positioning, users can lift symmetrically or asymmetrically. Automatic safety locks provide peace of mind, while telescoping screw pads and stackable adapters enable secure, stable vehicle contact.
This lif…
Vanair, a Lincoln Electric Company, recently unveiled five new products that expand its EPEQ Electrified Power Equipment ecosystem. The offerings address growing demand for practical alternatives to engine idling that protect equipment, reduce maintenance costs and extend vehicle service life.
The EPEQ Power Center is a self-contained, 48-volt core power module that serves as the cornerstone of t…
Holman, a global automotive services leader, has launched an all-new Telematics Preferred Integration Network (TPIN) program designed to simplify data integration with a growing number of telematics service providers across the industry. This program is the latest addition to Holman’s extensive suite of telematics solutions.
Through the expanding integration network, Holman customers using telema…
Stellar Industries recently showcased their product lineup at Work Truck Week 2026 in Indianapolis, including the new 2026 model-year TMAX Aluminum Mechanic Truck and the new EC3200 Electric Service Crane.
The 2026 TMAX features new taillights with a high-intensity, cascading LED turn signal for improved on-road and jobsite visibility. The EC3200 Electric Service Crane features a nested boom desi…
Daimler Truck North America has announced an expanded power-train portfolio for upcoming 2027 products, adding new Cummins engines alongside Detroit’s Gen 6 diesel lineup across Freightliner and Western Star models. These additional offerings from Cummins – which include the new B6.7 Octane gasoline engine, the clean sheet X10 and a redesigned X15 – complete the 2027 engine lineup. Together, the D…
Green Truck Summit, the commercial vehicle technology conference that kicks off Work Truck Week, will become Future Truck Summit in 2027. NTEA – The Work Truck Association and NAFA Fleet Management Association are collaborating to develop an expanded curriculum, which will focus on the rapidly evolving fuels, software, hardware and on-vehicle technology driving improvements in commercial vehicle…
Reading Truck, a business unit of J. B. Poindexter & Co. and one of North America’s leading manufacturers and distributors of work truck bodies, showcased two work truck models at Work Truck Week 2026 earlier this month.
Reading Truck’s new Combo Body combines the secure storage of a service body with the open utility of a platform body in one versatile solution. The company has also added th…
