USA Logistics Carriers Boosts Fleet MPG by 27% With PeopleNet
(September 22, 2008) PeopleNet announced today that USA Logistics Carriers, LLC, a truckload fleet that began deploying PeopleNet earlier this year, has realized a fuel mileage increase of 1.5 miles per gallon across its fleet. The fleet consists of almost 600 power units and 2,000 trailers. PeopleNet is the leading provider of intelligent onboard communications and fleet management solutions in North America.
USA Logistics Carriers, based in McAllen, Texas, has seen its fleet-wide fuel mileage rise from 5.5 miles per gallon to 7 -- a 27% improvement -- since implementing PeopleNet's PerformX vehicle and driver monitoring application. The application was implemented during the recent fuel crisis.
"We measure idling and driver performance," said Jim Aleman, chief operating officer for USA Logistics Carriers. "We have weekly meetings with all our fleet managers; we measure managers and drivers."
In addition, PerformX warning messages help the carrier control speeding and helps improve overall driver performance. It also warns of potential mechanical problems that can cause excess fuel use.
"PeopleNet is a great tool to control our fleet," Aleman said.
USA Logistic Carriers was launched in 2000 to serve the growing maquila industry -- manufacturing plants across the border with Mexico. While they operate only on the U.S. side of the border, USA Logistics Carriers is specialized in international trade and certified in cross-border security programs such as C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism). The company is also active in SmartWay, the pro-environmental coalition of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. USA Logistics Carriers is minority-owned and the largest Hispanic-owned carrier in the U.S.
According to Aleman, USA Logistics Carriers selected PeopleNet to replace another provider.
"We were looking for a company that would give us more support on the IT side, to give us help developing a system that meets our specific needs," Aleman said, adding that PeopleNet is integrated with the TMW enterprise software USA uses.
Originally, USA expected to use PeopleNet's PACOS automated arrival and departure notification application to help free-up equipment by documenting and billing for detention -- when trucks are forced to wait more than two hours beyond appointment times.
"That was the initial purpose of getting the PeopleNet units," Aleman explained. "But when the fuel situation came up, we decided to focus on fuel optimization."
With the fuel use program now in place, he said, USA Logistics Carriers expects to return to its detention initiative. Aleman also said the company expects to deploy PeopleNet's eDriver Logs automated log application in the future.
"PeopleNet is a great tool to monitor everything we do," Aleman said. "We are very happy with the product."
"We are very pleased to be working with a smart, energetic, fast-growing company like USA Logistics Carriers," said Brian McLaughlin, PeopleNet's chief operating officer. "We look forward to a long, mutually beneficial relationship."
About PeopleNet
PeopleNet, based in suburban Minneapolis, is North America's leading provider of Internet-based and integrated onboard computing and mobile communications systems. Its transportation products are used by top truckload, LTL, private, and service fleets in the U.S. and Canada. PeopleNet was the first major technology provider to offer Internet-based communications to the transportation industry 14 years ago and now serves more than 1,500 customers, including several Fortune 500 companies. PeopleNet is on the web at www.peoplenetonline.com.
For more information contact: Meghan AuBuchon 763-279-7636, maubuchon@peoplenetonline.com.
