Climate change, with its devastating effects, is rarely out of the news these days, is it? Whether it’s hurricanes in the US, floods in the Sahara Desert, or the promise of a long scorching Aussie summer with the looming threat of bushfires, extreme events are becoming more frequent and severe. Extreme weather can really disrupt your fleet operations, and preparing for such emergencies, and building resilience into your fleet, is crucial for keeping your business on the road.
Extreme weather is now the norm in Australia, disrupting logistics, damaging infrastructure and stopping business in its tracks. Bushfires can close roads, damage vehicles, and make driving dangerous. Floods make roads impassable and isolate communities, as well as damaging vehicles. Extreme heat poses a risk to drivers’ health and can lead to vehicle breakdowns and safety hazards. If you’re running a busi ness, it all adds up to delays, damaged goods or vehicles, upset customers, and big hits to the bottom line.
Given these risks, building a fleet that’s resilient to natural disasters isn’t just a precaution, it’s essential to the future of your business.
Be Prepared
At the heart of every resilient fleet is a well-prepared contingency plan that identifies the risk of natural disasters wherever your fleet operates. So, if bushfires or floods are a threat plan alternate routes and protocols for rerouting your vehicles should the worst occur.
Make sure your drivers are well trained on emergency procedures and that you have clear communications channels in place to keep drivers informed about changing weather and road closures.
And when it comes to clear communications and keeping track of your drivers advanced telematics and GPS systems are your business’s best friends. Fleetcare’s Fleetdynamics, for example, can allow real-time tracking of vehicles and enable you to monitor weather conditions and the status of roads. In the midst of a natural disaster, telematics can help reroute vehicles to avoid danger and minimize delays.
Fleetdynamics can also provide valuable data on vehicle performance, helping you identify maintenance needs before extreme weather gives you problems like engine overheating or tyre failure.
Preventative maintenance
Extreme weather can really knock your vehicles around, making preventative maintenance essential. Regular servicing and inspections can ensure your vehicles are ready for duty and less likely to fail when the going gets tough.
If your fleet operates in high-risk areas make sure they’re equipped with emergency supplies like first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and safety cones.
Diversify your fleet
If your fleet’s big enough it’s worth thinking about diversifying it to adapt more easily to disruptions. For example, a lightweight vehicle may be more able to navigate damaged roads following a flood. Investing in modern, fuel-efficient vehicles, including EVs is always good business sense.
Stay alert
Keeping up-to-the-minute in the face of rapidly changing emergency conditions is vital, so keep monitoring local emergency services and government authorities about impending disasters and road conditions. Ready access to real-time information will help you coordinate better during crises, minimising the impact on your fleet’s operations.
In a rapidly changing climate where natural disasters are becoming the norm, taking proactive steps to ensure your fleet is resilient is just good business sense. It ensures business continuity in the toughest of times and positions you for continued business success in a climate-challenged world.