Fleet Safety for Off-Road Vocational Vehicles

Presented By ARI’s

Ed Iannuzzi &

Rich Radi

Rail Yards Fracking Areas Oil Patches

Farms Parks & Recreation Factories

Areas of Fleet Operation

Types of Off-Road Drivers

• Least Off Road Experience

• Could be Greatest Risk Occasional

• Most Experienced in Off Road

• Exposed to More Situations Full Time

Off-Road Challenges

Behavior is difficult to manager • Minimal law enforcement • Uncontrolled traffic • Collisions not reported

False Sense of Security • Drivers lack 4x4 training • Overconfident in vehicle • Lack of terrain knowledge

Crashes & Injuries can be catastrophic • Liability exposure • Loss of client

Danger Zones

Off Road Pitfalls

• Few Driving Rules

• Speed Not Regulated

• No Traffic Signs

• Soft Shoulders

• Blind Spots

• Oversized Vehicles Inhibit Visibility

• Traction Issues

• Drivers Being too Confident and Not Understanding Vehicle Limitations

Critical Steps

Training

• During Onboarding Process

• Ongoing / Keep Up With Changes

• Ensure that Drivers Know Impact Poor Behavior

Policy Should Clearly Spell out Expectations

• Policy Should Apply to Off Road Situations

• Speed Limit

• Yield to all Traffic and Other Workers

• Must Report all Incidents to Management

• Cell Phone / Texting Policy Should Apply

• Engage Stakeholders

Proactive Measures

Site visits to survey locations

Perform management ride along (For new & existing drivers)

Telematics (Speed, seatbelts, idle time, location)

Vehicle specs & equipment

Acknowledge good behavior

Off-Road Driver Training

Pre-Trip Inspection Always conduct pre-trip inspection

Check for obstacles around the vehicle

Check for loose parts or fluid leaks

Check for damage to any glass

Check the tires

Check the winch

Check any special equipment

Know the Vehicle

Know the dimensions

Know where fragile parts are located

Understand the effect of higher centers-of-gravity

Maintain the Vehicle

Follow manufacturer’s recommendations

Keep the windshield washer reservoir full

Ensure tires are in good condition

Safety Items Checklist

Tow rope/winch

Shovel

Tire gauge

2-way radio

Weather or climate appropriate clothes

GPS or map

Extra fuel

Apply Proactive Driving Techniques

Scanning Communicating

Cushion of Safety

Speed Management

Momentum

We

ight

Speed

Braking

Perception Distance

Reaction Distance

Braking Distance

Affected by visibility

Affected by momentum &

traction

Brake early when driving off road

Traction

Be aware of terrain and

surface conditions

Distribute weight evenly across contact

patches

Stay on roads or paths

whenever possible

Adverse Conditions

Ditches

Ruts Hills Streams

Gravel Roads

Obstacles

Wrap-Up & Discussion

Identify all off-road scenarios

Keep driver policy updated

Monitor driver behavior (MVRs, crashes, etc.)

Provide Training (onboarding & ongoing)

Measure effectiveness

Ensure vehicles have proper equipment & are maintained correctly

eiannuzzi@arifleet.com

rradi@arifleet.com

Fleet Safety for Off-Road Vocational Vehicles