Survey: Nearly All Fleet Owners to Boost Safety Spending

Some 99% of executives surveyed across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and four Western European nations plan to boost spending on workforce safety and security technologies. (Jeremy Poland/Getty Images)

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An increase in workplace safety investment, including through automation, is near the top of the to-do list of almost all executives at North American companies that operate fleets, according to a recently released survey.

Some 99% of executives surveyed across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and four Western European nations plan to boost spending on workforce safety and security technologies, particularly through automation that reduces worker exposure to hazards, predictive safety analytics and Internet of Things-enabled safety devices, the survey found.

The top five technologies executives plan to invest in are:

• 50% - Additional IoT-enabled safety devices and wearables
• 46% - Automation that reduces worker exposure to hazards (such as automated vehicles or equipment)
• 46% - Enhanced data analytics capabilities for predictive safety insights
• 44% - AI-enabled cameras
• 40% - Digital documents and forms

Executives in Germany and Mexico were the most enthusiastic for such changes, according to the survey sponsored by in-cab technology provider Samsara. Some 74% of leaders in Germany and 71% of leaders in Mexico say they plan to invest a moderate or significant amount in safety in the next five years. About 67% of the U.S. respondents said the same, as did 66% of Canadian respondents.

And workers want more investment, executives say, with 71% of respondents reporting that they frequently hear feedback that even greater investments in safety and security are needed.

The top three safety and security improvements workers are requesting are:

• 44% - Improved emergency response protocols
• 41% - Enhanced personal protective equipment
• 40% - Better tools to locate and recover stolen or lost equipment

Employee retention has been an increasing headache for executives, particularly as the trucking industry workforce ages. Longhaul trucking is hurting especially.

“Recruiting and retaining drivers and keeping them safe as they do their runs are critical to the industry’s future. By building trust, championing safety, and celebrating excellence, we can create an environment where drivers don’t just work, they thrive,” Tracy Rushing, executive director of safety and recruiting at R.E. Garrison Trucking, told the report’s authors.

Viemont, Ala.-based R.E. Garrison has more than 800 drivers. The company also has brokerage and third-party logistics divisions.

R.E. Garrison is using artificial intelligence powered worker sentiment tools to assess — and act on — staff sentiment, an executive told Transport Topics in September.

AI is set to help alleviate concerns about the escalating driver shortage in another way too.

Fully autonomous tractors are set to arrive on Texas roads from multiple original equipment providers.

Aurora Innovation expects to begin commercial deployment in April. Pittsburgh-based Aurora is working with Volvo Group and Kenworth and Peterbilt owner Paccar.

Volvo Group and Waabi announced earlier in February they are jointly developing self-driving tractors, with commercial pilots set to start in Texas in the coming months.

Daimler Truck, owner of the Freightliner and Western Star truck brands, and Traton Group’s International Motors unit have self-driving truck partnerships with Torc Robotics and Plus, respectively.

The report, “State of Connected Operations Report: Building for the Next Generation: Workforce Trends in Physical Operations,” was conducted by a research firm, Wakefield Research, between Oct. 24 and Nov. 4.

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