This was the case for Roma Transport Services.
As its name suggests, the company operates from Roma in Queensland where it was started in 1992 by two partners who had a truck each.
It was Santos’ arrival in central Queensland that helped boost the company, which these days services a number of oil and gas companies.
However, supplying to the oil and gas industry requires contractors to meet strict criteria, which includes rigorous Work Health and Safety standards as well as scrupulous accountability around safety performance indicators.
For transport operators it includes measuring and reporting driver behaviours and vehicle safety practices.
“We need to know who’s driving a vehicle on a particular journey, how fast they’re traveling, are they wearing seatbelts and are they braking too quickly, is cruise control in use and more,” Roma Transport Services compliance manager Peter Garrels said.
“An in-vehicle monitoring system allows us to monitor and collect driver behaviour data but we also needed to be able to provide comprehensive reports based on data on a weekly to monthly basis as a contractual obligation.”
Roma Transport also required constant connectivity and communication with its drivers as a safety precaution – no matter how remote the driver may be on a particular job or journey.
“Having the right IVMS is crucial – if it doesn’t measure up, we don’t get the work,” Garrels said.
Roma Transport tried a couple of IVMS devices; however, Garrels found they offered poor reporting outcomes and little productivity benefit.
Using Navman Wireless tracking units would ensure the highest level of compliance to industry standards.
This helped Roma Transport Services the top four oil and gas companies in the regions: Santos, QGC, Origin and Arrow.
The company deployed 70 units across its fleet. Each unit has a GPS fleet management tracking device, sensors, driver identity option and a satellite modem.
Navman Wireless offers a live IVMS, which Garrels said set it apart from other options.
“Using Navman Wireless technology we’re able to ensure Roma Transport has all of the legislative processes in place and we’re also able to deliver greater commitments to the client around journey management,” he said.
“We know how a fleet is moved, where fleet vehicles are and that drivers are safe and well.
“Having real-time fleet visibility means we’ve got an accurate view of when trucks are due on site.
“If there’s another job we’re able to add trucks and drivers to the schedule and move fleets around, which wasn’t previously possible.”
All operations managers, including fleet owners at Roma Transport have Navman Wireless software installed on their computers and smart phones. This lets them access fleet information and look at any truck at any time of the day in real time. They can also revisit data and replay, and it also ensures that drivers are taking rest breaks required by law, as well as meeting other contractual obligations.
The Navman Wireless GPS tracking device connects all of the vehicles and transmits driver information and messaging over the Next G network.
Sensors connected to the tracking device let Roma Transport monitor driver behaviours including harsh braking and rollover, seatbelt connections and cruise control.
The data collected then feeds into a system for reporting.
Garrels said there had been several benefits of implementing Navman Wireless technology across the Roma Transport fleet.
“While using IVMS is a contractual requirement there’s also an immense commercial outcome, which offsets the cost of compliance,” he said.
“We’re able to operate at a much more efficient fleet because with Navman Wireless we know where our trucks are and what they’re doing – this also helps with client management and means we can provide good service.
“We can tell customers where a truck is and how far away it is from a delivery, which is important on the field when you’re trying to coordinate transport and logistics, other third party suppliers and urgent supplies.”
Roma Transport has been able to implement more efficient and comprehensive reporting using Navman Wireless. For example, if a company requires compliance to a maximum speed limit, Roma Transport can capture any exceptions by measuring instances where the speed limit was exceeded by a given amount for a specified length of time.
Based on reports it can demonstrate safe driving behaviour, compliance to company policy and take action if necessary.
Garrels said while some drivers had reservations about a driver behaviour tracking system, it had actually helped them greatly.
“The implementation of the Navman Wireless IVMS has improved not just driver behaviour but also driver attitude,” he said.
“Our drivers realise they are professionals and they drive like professionals.
“The GPS fleet tracking system has helped our drivers become safer and more aware on the roads.”
Garrels said Navman Wireless’ level of service had also been a key too.
“The oil and gas industry is tightly regulated – if there’s a problem with a vehicle it can’t be used on field,” he said.
“This can have an impact on our business.
“If something needs fixing, Navman Wireless has a local service centre with local technicians who can get the job done quickly.”
Roma Transport’s fleet has grown 38% in the past three years.