Fleet Industry and Fleet Technology Glossary
Your A to Z reference list of all things fleet.
A
Active tracking
Real-time monitoring of vehicle location and movement.
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of tools that allows different software programs to communicate and share data.
Asset tracking
Monitoring the location and status of non-vehicle fleet assets.
AVL (Automatic Vehicle Location)
An older term for real-time vehicle tracking using GPS technology.
B
BMS (Battery Management System)
A system that monitors and manages the battery health and performance of electric vehicles.
Breakdown management
The process of handling vehicle breakdowns, including dispatching assistance and minimising downtime.
Bulk fuel purchasing
Strategies for buying fuel in large quantities to potentially reduce costs.
C
Compliance
Ensuring fleet operations adhere to laws and regulations governing fleet operations, such as driver hour limitations or emissions standards.
Connected vehicle
A vehicle equipped with technology that allows it to communicate and exchange data with other vehicles, infrastructure, and fleet management systems.
CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability)
A program in the United States by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) that evaluates the safety performance of commercial motor carriers.
Cycle time
The average time it takes to complete a specific task within the fleet, such as a delivery or preventive maintenance service.
CO2 emissions
Carbon dioxide emissions generated by vehicle operation, a key factor in environmental regulations.
D
Data visualisation
Presenting fleet data in a clear and easy-to-understand format, often using charts and graphs.
Driver behavior
How drivers operate vehicles, including speed, braking, and adherence to safety rules, crucial for efficiency and safety
Driver behavior monitoring
Tracking and analysing driver habits to improve safety and fuel efficiency.
Dispatching
The process of assigning tasks or jobs to drivers and vehicles in real-time.
Driver scorecards
Metrics and ratings used to evaluate driver performance based on various factors such as safety, efficiency, and compliance.
Data ingestion
The process of collecting and importing raw data from various sources, such as telematics devices, into a centralised system for analysis and processing.
Driver ID
Unique identification assigned to drivers within a fleet management system for tracking and monitoring purposes.
Downtime
The period when a vehicle is unavailable for use due to maintenance, repairs, or breakdowns.
E
ELD (Electronic Logging Device)
An electronic hardware attached to a commercial motor vehicle engine that automatically records driving hours and compliance with regulations.
Electric Vehicle (EV)
A vehicle powered by an electric battery, with lower emissions than traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles.
Electrification
The process of transitioning a fleet from traditional fuel vehicles to electric vehicles.
Emissions compliance
Metrics and strategies that ensure fleet vehicles meet regulations for air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Engine idling reduction
Technologies and strategies to minimise unnecessary engine idling, saving fuel and reducing emissions.
F
Fleet analytics
Using data collected from various fleet management and vehicle tracking systems to gain valuable insights into fleet performance, areas for improvement and cost-saving opportunities.
Fleet management
The holistic process of overseeing, tracking and optimising a company's fleet of vehicles and drivers.
Fleet optimisation
Using technology and strategies to improve the efficiency and productivity of a fleet.
Fleet replacement lifecycle
The systematic process of retiring and replacing vehicles or equipment within a fleet at predetermined intervals to ensure optimal performance, cost-efficiency, and reliability over time.
Fleet utilisation
Metrics that indicate how effectively a fleet's vehicles are being used, revealing which vehicles are being used as expected, overused, or underused.
Fuel card
A payment card specifically used as an approved method for fleet drivers to purchase fuel, allowing fleet managers to track and manage fuel expenses.
Fuel economy
A measure of the distance a vehicle can travel per unit of fuel (e.g. miles per gallon).
Fuel efficiency
A measure of how effectively a vehicle converts fuel into usable energy, often measured by the amount of work performed or energy produced per unit of fuel.
Fuel management
Using metrics and information to monitor and reduce fuel consumption across a fleet.
Fuel theft
Unauthorised actions to obtain fuel including siphoning fuel directly from a company vehicle and fraudulently fueling up a non-company vehicle.
G
G-force sensor
A device used for driver behaviour monitoring that measures the force exerted on a vehicle during acceleration, braking, or turning.
Geofencing
Virtual boundaries on a map that are set in order to monitor vehicle movement and create alerts when vehicles enter or leave specific areas.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Satellite-based technology used to track vehicle location and movement.
Green fleet
A fleet that prioritises environmentally friendly practices to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The maximum authorised weight of a fully loaded vehicle as specified by the manufacturer, including the vehicle's chassis, body, engine, engine fluids, fuel, accessories, driver, passengers and cargo but excluding that of any trailers.
H
Hours of Service (HOS)
Regulations that govern the number of hours a commercial vehicle driver can work in a day or week to ensure driver safety and prevent fatigue.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
A vehicle that uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor for propulsion, offering improved fuel efficiency compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.
Hydrocarbon emissions
The release of harmful gases like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide from vehicle engines, which contribute to air pollution.
Harsh event detection
Technology that automatically detects and records sudden changes in vehicle movement, including hard braking and sharp turns, for accident analysis and driver coaching.
I
IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement)
A tax agreement between some US states for commercial vehicles.
Incident management
The process of responding to and resolving accidents, breakdowns, or other incidents involving fleet vehicles.
Inspection management
Using software to schedule, track, and document vehicle inspections, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
Integrations
Connecting different fleet management systems and software programs to share data and improve efficiency.
Inventory management
Tracking and managing the parts, tools, and other resources needed to maintain a fleet.
L
Leased vs. owned vehicles
The distinction between vehicles that are rented under a lease agreement and those that are purchased outright and owned by the company.
Logistics management
The overall planning, execution, and control of the movement and storage of goods within a supply chain, often involving fleet operations.
M
Maintenance management
Scheduling and tracking vehicle maintenance to prevent breakdowns and extend vehicle life.
Mobile workforce management
Optimising the scheduling, routing, and communication for a mobile workforce using fleet technology.
Multi-stop route planning
Optimising routes for vehicles with multiple stops, considering factors like distance, traffic, and delivery windows.
N
Non-Revenue Vehicle (NRV)
A vehicle in a fleet that is not directly generating income, such as a company car or a service vehicle.
Near real-time tracking
A type of vehicle tracking that updates location data at frequent intervals, providing an almost real-time detailed picture of vehicle movement than passive tracking but not quite as instantaneous as true real-time tracking.
Net zero emissions
The goal of achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere, often a target for sustainable fleet operations.
O
OBD-II / OBD 2 (On-Board Diagnostics))
A standardised port in vehicles that allows connection to diagnostic tools and fleet management systems.
Open road testing
The process of testing vehicle performance and functionality on a real highway or open road, as opposed to a controlled environment.
Overtime management
Tracking and managing driver overtime hours to ensure compliance with regulations and minimize costs.
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