Bulkmatic Transport outfitting fleet with SmartDrive

SmartDrive Systems, a provider of driving performance systems that reduce collisions and improve fuel efficiency, announced that Bulkmatic Transport, a Griffith, Ind.-based dry bulk transportation services provider, is outfitting its entire fleet of over 500 vehicles with the SmartDrive video and data capture system. The decision was made following the successful pilot of the SmartDrive solution at three of the carrier’s locations.

“The SmartDrive video and data capture system enhances the information we have to successfully coach drivers and improve fleet safety,” said Terry McAdams, vice president of safety at Bulkmatic. “What used to take months to discover, our regional safety managers can now learn in a day and bring that information to drivers when it can have the greatest impact. In our first 60 days, we saw real results and significant improvement, including improved fuel savings and dramatically lower occurrences of risky driving behaviors.”

Bulkmatic’s evaluation of the SmartDrive system began at its Decatur, Alabama facility in March of last year. Results of that initial deployment included up to an 87 percent improvement in driving skills and sustained fuel savings of 3.03 percent. Following that test, the company outfitted more tractors with SmartDrive at their Chicago and Ft. Worth locations, with an added focus on using the technology to reduce mobile phone/device distractions.

“Professional athletes use video to improve, why not professional truck drivers?” McAdams said. “SmartDrive is an eye opening and very powerful tool that was easy for our managers to quickly adopt.  It allows us to make significant progress by simply showing our drivers areas for improvement, and it helps discover risky driving skills before they cause an incident.”

McAdams added that drivers have had a positive reaction to the program, especially after several collisions in which the Bulkmatic drivers were exonerated as a result of SmartDrive.  In addition, the analysis that accompanies each video, coupled with an easy-to-use coaching application, saves fleet safety managers time and enables more effective discussions with drivers.

Partner Insights

Information to advance your business from industry suppliers

Presented by International® Truck

The International® S13 Integrated Powertrain has everything drivers want.

Presented by Chevron Renewable Energy Group

Hear how biodiesel can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions now

Presented by Road Ready

The Future of Trailer Telematics: Going Beyond Track & Trace

“The fast-time-to-value Bulkmatic experienced is typical of the results we’ve seen across the thousands of commercial vehicles deployed with our program,” said Steve Mitgang, CEO of SmartDrive. “Our open-platform with direct connection to the engine control unit enables us to capture more risk than other systems – such as rolling stops caused by mobile phone usage.”