The transport industry is facing the challenge of transporting a larger amount of goods – at the same time as we have to reduce our negative environmental impact! As a haulage contractor, what can you do to keep your business running and maintain your profitability in a sustainable manner?
1. HAVE HIGH SUSTAINABILITY REQUIREMENTS – KNOWLEDGE AND DRIVING STYLE
Knowledge about how the driver’s behaviour and driving style affect fuel costs and your carbon footprint is crucial when it comes to developing your sustainability work and operations.
To be allowed to carry out freight transport by truck, it is necessary to have a commercial driver’s licence, and this licence must be renewed every 5 years. The training provides skills that are leading to the modernisation of the driving profession. In the test for the commercial driver’s licence, knowledge about areas such as rational driving, eco-driving, optimisation of fuel consumption, regulations for commercial traffic, health and service must be approved.
The initiative to introduce the requirement for a commercial driver’s licence, which has existed since 2009 for freight transport, is based on ensuring that the driver possesses up-to-date, relevant knowledge about the regulations that apply and that are required to practise the profession.
As a haulage contractor, you are tasked with keeping your employees updated. The aim of this is to promote sustainable development for your business and the transport industry in general.
Knowledge + driving style = Win-win for the environment and the economy!
2. DIGITALISE TO OPTIMISE
Using a fleet management system, you can measure and analyse time, driving style, wear and tear and fuel consumption. This information provides you as a haulier with good conditions for making the right decision based on a data-driven documentation.
The information from such a system gives you the opportunity to involve your drivers in the discussion about how they themselves can influence their working environment in a positive manner. It can also help the entire organisation to learn to reconsider and change habitual behaviours.
Quite simply, it can make everyday life more efficient for drivers. Administration and planning are streamlined, making your haulage company an attractive workplace.
Digitisation is the key to optimal resource utilisation, and is best for the environment as well as for your business.
3. BECOME AN ATTRACTIVE EMPLOYER
There is an acute shortage of drivers and all forecasts indicate that demand for transport is set to increase. The industry body TYA considers that a combination of technology, legislation and people will make the haulage industry and the driving profession more attractive. As a haulier, when you have recruited the skills you need, it is important to manage them well. “You must always look after a skilled workforce,” says Micaela Roslund, project manager at TYA.
The School Leadership Survey conducted by TYA is demonstrating a shift in the transport industry. Every year, more and more women are applying to join the driving profession. Micaela Roslund is convinced that more female professional drivers will change the haulage industry in the long term. “Most of the hauliers with whom I’ve had contact think this is great and would gladly hire girls since they drive more cautiously, which saves more fuel and results in fewer breakdowns.”
Another parameter in the sustainability work relates to maintaining your fleet of vehicles at a high level. The vehicles have a number of properties and functions, each of which is a direct or indirect factor affecting the environment and the working environment. For example, this might refer to fuel consumption linked to the aerodynamic properties. The choice of consumables that you opt to use during the vehicle’s service life is also a factor that affects both the environment and economic sustainability.
The drivers who take care of their vehicle on a daily basis are generally most aware of its condition, and consequently have valuable insights to give. It is important to take advantage of these insights, so a good tip is to hold discussions with the company’s employees regarding sustainable choices in order to include them in the work aimed at achieving a sustainable and profitable haulage company, and thereby train and encourage committed employees. Aware employees understand how they can contribute to increased sustainability.
