AUGUST 2024TRANSPORTATION REVIEW9 With larger fleets, an experienced engineering and management team is necessary as their expertise ensures the PM program and SOPs are accurate, comprehensive, and effective--a role whose importance cannot be overstatedrepairs to resolve a problem, and a mechanic that properly diagnoses the issue and makes the right repair the first time. Leverage OEMs to provide on-site training, familiarization with new systems and features, and OEM resources for manuals and specifications. With a maintenance capex plan in place, it will be easier to keep up with technological changes rather than absorbing several years of enhancements. In addition, regular internal training is a great practice to review new SOPs, changes and additions to existing SOPs, and drive discussion and focus on any fleet performance trends that arise. An engaged workforce with the proper tools and training will deliver the most reliable, cost-effective fleet.Data Analytics--Reactive or Proactive?Fleet failure investigations and data analytics are critical in detecting emerging patterns and process deviations and can even uncover potential engineering concerns.Reactive: Performance failures should be investigated to uncover the root cause and determine whether they were a normal break-fix part failure, a premature part failure, or poor workmanship. With this data available, PM programs can be adjusted, training can be reinforced, and premature failures can be further monitored and escalated to manufacturers to uncover potential issues during the manufacturing process.Proactive: Machine learning algorithms can be applied to historical performance and real-time telematics data to detect emerging patterns and bring attention to rising performance issues before a failure occurs.Data analytics is the driving force behind continual improvement, and any failure mitigated or prevented goes straight to the bottom line!EngineeringWith larger fleets, an experienced engineering and management team is necessary as their expertise ensures the PM program and SOPs are accurate, comprehensive, and effective--a role whose importance cannot be overstated. They act as liaison with OEMs when design flaws arise and coordinate resolutions to improve performance on existing fleet. They also evaluate specifications and design changes for future equipment purchases to improve fitness for use and overall reliability. Lastly, they are the subject matter experts and are instrumental in training the rest of the organization and ensuring the maintenance program is standardized across all locations.In conclusion, while there is no "easy button" for improving fleet reliability, when an organization has a data-centric, customized PM program that well-trained mechanics performs under the guidance and mentoring of an experienced engineering function. When a fleet plan allows time for proper maintenance and a capex plan provides routine obsolete fleet replacement...well, these are time-proven concepts to create a sustainable, low-cost, reliable fleet.
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