Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services 2017-18 Edition

C.J. Driscoll & Associates has released a new multi-client marketing research study covering interest of U.S. fleet operators in Mobile Resource Management systems and services. The 2017-18 Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services assesses fleet operator interest in GPS fleet and asset management systems, video-based driver behavior management systems, and solutions for managing mobile workers equipped with handsets or other portable devices. The study also assesses use and satisfaction with MRM solutions among large and small fleets in a wide range of categories.

The new 2017-18 Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services was partially funded by 19 companies, including AT&T, CalAmp, Coretex, DMC Insurance, EROAD, Fleet Complete, Geotab, GPS Insight, MiX Telematics, Omnitracs, PeopleNet, Satrack (Colombia), Seeing Machines, SkyBitz, Spireon, Teletrac Navman, Vehicle Tracking Solutions, Verizon Telematics, and Zonar Systems.

This comprehensive new study is based on a nationwide telephone survey of over 500 fleet operators. Survey participants were decision makers at fleets from nearly all major categories including service, local and long-haul common carriers, private delivery, utilities, construction, people transportation and government fleets. The sample included fleets ranging in size from 5 vehicles to over 10,000 vehicles.

The study provides answers to a wide range of questions, including the following:

• How do fleet managers communicate with their drivers?
• Do fleet operators feel the ability to transmit increasing amounts of cellular data positively impacts their fleet operations, or does it have little impact?
• With which, if any, MRM suppliers are participating fleet operators familiar?
• Which participating fleet operators are currently using a GPS fleet management, video camera based, or handset/portable MRM solution to monitor fleet vehicles, drivers, or mobile workers?
  • What were the principal motivations for deploying an MRM solution?
  • Which MRM system are they using and how did they select it?
  • How satisfied are they with their MRM system and service?
  • What are the principal benefits derived from the system? e.g. reduced fuel consumption, reduced overtime, fewer accidents
  • What additional features or capabilities would they like to have incorporated in their solution?
  • Have users of MRM solutions recouped their investment in these solutions, and, if so, how long did it take?
    • Are they able to quantify the financial benefit their company derives from using an MRM solution?
• How interested are fleet operators in specific features and capabilities such as monitoring driver performance, fuel card integration, route optimization, forward collision warning, remote vehicle diagnostics, and others?
• How has adoption of MRM solutions and interest in specific features changed over the last four years, i.e. comparisons of relevant findings from the current study to the C.J. Driscoll 2013-14 Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services?
• How are trucking fleet operators currently monitoring driver hours of service?
  • For those not currently using ELDs or Automatic On-Board Recording Devices (AOBRDs): When do they expect to deploy these devices on their trucks?
  • Do they plan to install a basic ELD/AOBRD solution for compliance only, or a solution that also includes fleet management features?
  • Do they favor a particular ELD supplier?
• How satisfied are fleet operators with OEM factory-installed remote vehicle diagnostics systems?
  • Are they willing to pay a subscription fee at the end of the period of free service?
• How do operators of Class 6-8 vehicles rate their potential interest or satisfaction with tire monitoring and ADAS solution?
• How interested are trucking fleets in platooning?
• Are fleet operators concerned about the security of data transmitted to and from their fleet vehicles? If so, why?
• Are participating fleets currently receiving an insurance discount for use of an MRM solution? If so, how much?
• What percentage of participating fleet operators expect to deploy an MRM service in the next 12-18 months?
  • What type of solution do they expect to deploy?
  • Do they currently favor a particular supplier?
  • How do they obtain information about potential suppliers and what are the most important factors in their selection of a supplier?
• What percentage of participating fleet operators expect to deploy an MRM solution at any time in the foreseeable future?
• What percentage of fleet operators do not expect to deploy an MRM solution in the foreseeable future, and why?
• How interested are fleet operators in solutions for monitoring trailers, containers, heavy equipment, or other assets?

The methodology for the study was a telephone survey of 529 U.S. fleet operators from a broad cross-section of fleet categories. Quotas were established to assure participation by a sufficient number of large and small fleets, as well as fleets in specific categories.

All respondents were pre-screened to assure that they have primary or partial responsibility for decisions regarding the use of GPS fleet management or driver behavior systems for their fleets. One-fourth of the survey participants hold the title of Owner, Co-Owner, Chairman, CEO, President, COO, or General Manager. Among the other titles are Fleet Manager or Director; VP, Director, or Manager of Operations; and Risk Manager or Director.

The average length of this comprehensive survey was 43 minutes. Respondents were paid a $50 incentive to participate in the survey.

The 206-page report of the research findings includes the following:

• Overview of the study, including objectives and methodology
• Executive summary of the key findings
• 190-page detailed analysis of the findings of the nationwide survey, including over 100 summary charts and tables and numerous verbatim responses to open-ended questions

The report is provided in PDF format.

Subscribers who purchase the 2017-18 Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services report may also purchase the optional Excel spreadsheet, which lists all 529 survey participants by company name and respondent title, as well as their answers to each survey question. The spreadsheet can be used to analyze responses based on fleet category, size, use of specific MRM systems, and many other criteria.

This report details the findings of a survey of 20 truck Owner-Operators with a primary focus on their plans to deploy Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), including expected timeframe for purchase and favored configuration. This report may be purchased together with the Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services report, or separately. A spreadsheet with responses of each Owner-Operator to each survey question is included with the report.

Clement Driscoll is the founder and president of C.J. Driscoll & Associates. Mr. Driscoll has over 25 years of experience in the fields of wireless location, navigation, and mobile communications. He directed the marketing of Teletrac’s fleet vehicle location service and Magnavox’s GPS and satellite communication products. In 1994, Mr. Driscoll authored the Survey of Location Systems to Support Wireless 911, which served as a basis for the FCC’s wireless E911 rulemaking. Clem Driscoll is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has an MBA from St. John’s University. He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of GPS World magazine and has served on Advisory Boards of several leading industry suppliers. He has written numerous articles on telematics and LBS for leading industry publications including GPS World, RCR, Telematics Update, Automotive Fleet, Fleet Financial, and Inside GNSS. He is a noted authority on GPS-based products and services and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences in the U.S. and abroad. Mr. Driscoll has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Forbes, Fortune Magazine, the L.A. Times, the Washington Post, and USA Today, as well as in many leading industry trade publications.