JetCo Delivery, a regional carrier based in Houston TX, has implemented PeopleNet systems to increase fleet efficiency and help the city's clean-air efforts in the process. Established in 1976, JetCo operates 83 units, about half of which are tractors used to pull intermodal containers and heavy-haul flatbed trailers. The fleet also includes both van body and flatbed straight trucks. Most of the firm's business is regional and intra-state.
Jetco participates in the Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles program of the Houston-Galveston Area Council. The H-GAC, as it is known, reimburses fleets for verifiable reduction of emissions in an eight-county area around Houston. Fleets must replace older vehicles or engines with new, cleaner models, then document their use.
“We have to show engine hours and mileage within those eight counties, and we have to keep track of engine hours when we go out of the area,” said Jeff McKinney, director of safety.
PeopleNet and Jetco's ProMiles software provide documentation the program requires. ProMiles is the mileage, routing, and mapping application from ProMiles Software Development Corp.
Jetco is implementing PeopleNet applications one at a time. First was eDriver Logs, the automated driver log program. According to McKinney, some drivers resisted this, but quickly changed their minds.
Next, Jetco will implement PACOS, PeopleNet's geofencing platform for automated arrival and departure notification. PACOS automatically messages managers of operational exceptions — when trucks stray off route, for example — and provides rolling ETAs, as well as other useful operational tools.
McKinney, who previously worked for major national carriers, said Jetco had used cell phones for driver communication before PeopleNet was installed beginning in April 2008. The company considered both regional and national suppliers.
