IDLING: THE PAYOFF

COMBINING TECHNOLOGIES

Many fleets are discovering that they can multiply the ROI on their technology investments by combining solutions, such as pairing a route planning and optimization system with a fuel purchase management system, an onboard monitoring system and an idle reduction system. Solutions like XATANET from XATA Corp. (www.xata.com) for example, are designed to enable fleets to gather information about fuel consumption, including where, when and by whom.

“Our system captures data about every drop of fuel burned, including during idling, and how it impacts miles per gallon,” says Tom Flies, senior vp, product management for XATA. “This enables fleets to set idle reduction goals and identify specific opportunities for improvement. Sometimes, for instance, excessive idling is not the driver's fault. It may be a warehouse worker idling the truck during loading. The system can also be used to create geo-fences to alert drivers when they are entering a state or municipality with idling time limits, or to prove that a driver was not idling if he or she is fined unfairly.

“It is also a good coaching tool,” he adds. “The data from the system can be used to help educate drivers concerning the impact of their choices on fuel costs, engine life, maintenance, and so on. We have some day cab customers who have been able to achieve their idling targets with XATANET alone.”

“The environment and going green have become so critical now,” says John Dennehy, vp-marketing for Espar Heater Systems. “Companies around the world are making environmental stewardship a part of their corporate policies, while more states, provinces and municipalities are implementing and enforcing idling regulations. People are also starting to realize how much money they've wasted idling. These factors are combining to push fleets to implement idle reduction solutions and set idling policies and goals.

GOING GREEN

“We've seen a lot of changes over the years, but going green is definitely here to stay,” he adds. “The good news is that it has become so feasible for people to acquire and use idle reduction technologies today. Agencies and organizations like the EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership (www.epa.gov/otaq/smartway), the Dept. of Energy (www.eere.energy.gov), the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (www.nyserda.org), Cascade Sierra Solutions (www.cascadesierrasolutions.org) are working hard to help inform the industry about the benefits of idle reduction and offering programs and incentives to make it easier to do.”

Any fleet considering implementing an idle reduction solution should put checking for available grants, tax incentives, carbon credits and other cost-saving opportunities high on the must-do list. “There are some good programs out there,” says Amy Egerter of Rig Master Power. “Pennsylvania has a great small business program, for instance; Wisconsin has been very easy to work when it comes to getting support for IR systems, and the State of Texas is also working well within local markets.” A list of current federal and state programs is available on the U.S.. Dept. of Energy web site: www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/idle/incentives.html. The site also includes information about idling regulations and fines.

“Going green is a long-term trend,” says Joe Kirby of Webasto. “That line is only headed upward.”

A directory of idle reduction solution providers is available at www.fleetowner.com.

A decision-support worksheet

This worksheet is designed to help you evaluate the potential impact of selecting an idle reduction solution. It provides a list of critical factors to consider as well as a mechanism for assessing the risks and benefits associated with various choices. This worksheet can be used to compare the status quo with implementing an idle reduction system or to compare two different idle reduction options.

THE IDLE REDUCTION SCORECARD

Tangibles (Factors that can be readily expressed in financial terms for purposes of calculating ROI, IRR, payback, etc.)	IMPORTANCE %	RISK/BENEFIT Rating	OPTION 1 SCORE	RISK/BENEFIT Rating	OPTION 2 SCORE
Reduce fuel costs
Avoid fines for idling
Reduce maintenance costs/intervals
Increase resale value of equipment
Extend truck trade intervals
Take advantage of grants, tax credits to upgrade equipment
SUBTOTAL TANGIBLES:
Intangibles (Factors that impact profit indirectly)
Meet local, regional operating requirements
Provide acceptable in-cab heating for driver
Provide acceptable in-cab AC for drivers
Provide engine warming
Provide sufficient power to operate in-cab appliances/ hotel loads
Reduce/eliminate noise to meet local requirements/improve driver rest
Recruit and retain better drivers
Create/enhance culture of environmental stewardship within company
Create/enhance public image of company as environmentally responsible
Reduce exposure to risk of litigation (“environmental justice” issues)
Gain competitive advantage via EPA SmartWay or other “green” certifications
Create emissions credits to use in carbon trading program
Meet customers' no-idle expectations/requirements
Participate in evaluation of new technologies to avoid falling behind competitors
Make best use of capital, including upfront costs/install time, parts and service
SUBTOTAL INTANGIBLES:
TOTAL SCORES:
NOTE: This checklist incorporates techniques derived from Oracle Corp.'s “CB-90 Scoring Worksheet” and other decision-support tools.

Instructions:

Weigh the importance of each factor on the checklist by assigning it a percentage figure. The sum of all weight factors must equal 100%. If a factor has no relevance for your fleet, simply give it an importance rating of zero.

1. Estimate on a scale of -5 to +5 the likelihood of each factor on the list actually occurring. If you consider a factor to be a benefit, give it a rating of 0 to +5, with +5 being very likely to be realized and 0 very unlikely. If you consider a factor to be a risk give it a 0 to -5 rating, with -5 being a risk very likely to occur and 0 being a risk very unlikely to occur. For example, if you are not affected by noise standards, you might consider noise to be a moderate risk and rate it -3. If you consider reducing noise to be a benefit you fully expect to realize, you might rate it +5.

2. Multiply each estimate of likelihood by the importance weight for that factor and enter the result in the score column. For example, a weight rating of 4% x a likelihood of 2 = a score for that factor of 8. A weight rating of 4% × a likelihood of -2 = a score of -8.

3. Add all the resulting scores for the status quo and for the idle reduction options under consideration. The option with the highest total score should be the best choice.