Leveraging Mobile App Telematics to Improve Driving Behavior and Efficiency

Unlock Real-Time Driving Insights Without Additional Hardware

Fleet management is a complex endeavor, particularly for large organizations managing multiple drivers and vehicles. With safety, efficiency, and cost reduction at the forefront of priorities, leveraging advanced technology has become more critical than ever. This is where mobile app-based telematics solutions, like Tourmo's AutoPilot Drive, present an innovative approach to transforming fleet operations. 

Tourmo enables enterprises to collect high-quality data directly from drivers' mobile devices—be it iOS or Android—at an impressive rate of 400Hz. This capability delivers unparalleled insight into driving behavior without needing expensive additional hardware. But why does this matter? The ability to access real-time, accurate data on driving behaviors is reshaping the way organizations manage safety, compliance, and coaching.

The Benefits of Mobile Telematics in Fleet Management 

Mobile telematics offers distinct advantages for fleet operators aiming to improve driving behavior and operational efficiency. Tourmo's platform is a device-agnostic solution, allowing you to harness driver smartphones or tablets instead of relying on expensive hardware installations.

Key Competitive Benefits:

• Accurate and Reliable Data: Tourmo delivers precise insights by capturing high-quality data from mobile devices. With telematics collecting information at 400Hz, fleet managers gain an unmatched level of granularity.
• Behavior Detection at Scale: The app identifies risky driving behaviors like swerving, harsh braking, and phone handling. These automated detections are alerting leadership to what needs attention most. 
• Improved Fleet Engagement: Advanced AI learns patterns to reduce driver pushback by supplying only relevant, curated coaching opportunities.
• Lower cost: Mobile App telematics do not require the purchase, distribution or maintenance of hardware and come at a lower monthly cost when compared to hardware solutions.
• 3rd Party Risk Mitigation: Given its flexibility and cost, large enterprises have deployed mobile app telematics to reduce their litigation exposure from 3rd party fleets.

Driving Behavior Insights Made Actionable 

Understanding and addressing driving behaviors is essential for creating safer and more efficient fleets. Tourmo’s mobile app detects a range of risky behaviors, offering fleets deeper visibility into operational safety. Here’s how Tourmo’s system recognizes and addresses common driving risks:

1. Phone Handling 

The system detects when drivers access their mobile phones while driving, a behavior responsible for approximately 1.6 million crashes annually in the US (source: edgarsnyder.com). 

• Fatalities: Distracted driving led to 3,308 fatalities in 2022, showing the critical need to mitigate this risk (source: NHTSA.gov). 
• Solution: Automated warnings and real-time feedback can help drivers self-correct and prioritize safety.

2. Jerking 

Frequent rapid changes between acceleration and deceleration highlight jerky driving behavior, which has been linked to higher accident risks. 

• Insights from Research: Studies show a direct correlation between increased jerks and accident likelihood (source: LSU repository).
• Solution: Tourmo records and analyzes this data to coach smoother driving. 

3. Speeding 

Maintaining appropriate speed limits is integral to fleet safety and operational efficiency. 

• Potential Risks: Excessive speeding significantly raises the likelihood of accidents, increases fuel consumption, and accelerates vehicle wear and tear. 
• Focused Insights: Advanced telematics systems monitor speed in real time, enabling fleet managers to identify and address violations promptly. Implementing speed governance policies reduces risk while optimizing resource utilization.

4. Harsh Acceleration and Braking 

Aggressive driving behaviors, such as sudden acceleration or abrupt braking, increase collision risks and reduce efficiency. 

• Impact on Costs: Such driving habits can lower fuel efficiency by approximately 10-40% in stop-and-go traffic  (The U.S. Department of Energy https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/fuel-economy)
• Result-Driven Impact: Fleet managers can advocate for smoother, cost-effective driving styles by identifying trends.

5. Cornering 

Navigating sharp curves at excessive speed is dangerous and challenging for vehicle stability. 

• Potential Risks: Reckless cornering contributes to rollovers and loss of vehicle control (source: ubicar.com.au). 
• Focused Insights: Telemetry-based tools help fleets implement better behavior patterns to improve overall safety awareness.

6. Swerving 

Hard swerves can occur due to distraction, avoiding obstacles, or poor situational awareness. Tourmo identifies swerving behaviors to highlight potential risks and support tailored driver education. 

Sudden or abrupt changes in vehicle direction are flagged by the system, highlighting risks associated with distracted driving or unforeseen mechanical issues. 

• Risk of Accidents: Swerving increases the likelihood of crashes such as rollovers and side collisions. According to the NHTSA, swerving contributed to 2.1% of fatal accidents in the US in 2021. 
• Corrective Actions: Mobile telematics track these patterns, allowing managers to coach related behaviors such as distracted driving or unresponsive maneuvering.

7. Fatigue 

Driver fatigue is a critical factor affecting decision-making and reaction times behind the wheel. 

• Potential Risks: Fatigued driving accounts for a substantial proportion of accidents, endangering drivers, cargo, and surrounding road users. 
• Focused Insights: Innovative fatigue monitoring systems, including real-time alerts and predictive analytics, support proactive interventions. Scheduling effective breaks and ensuring compliance with rest regulations further enhance fleet safety outcomes. 

Convenient Reporting with Smart Aggregation 

Tourmo goes beyond behavior detection; its smart aggregation feature simplifies the review process. Instead of overwhelming supervisors and drivers with excessive notifications, the app curates examples of risky behaviors and compiles them into actionable reports. 

These reports arrive daily or weekly and are tailored to match what matters the most:

• Drivers see enough examples to encourage accountability while avoiding excessive criticism.
• Supervisors can focus only on consistent patterns, reducing administrative burdens.
• Fleet owners get the data needed to ensure efficiency without micromanaging.

This approach fosters a fair and effective feedback system while saving companies time and minimizing friction between drivers and operations managers.

Transform the Way You Manage Your Fleet 

For organizations leading their industry's operational improvements, mobile app telematics represents a groundbreaking solution for driver safety and fleet management.

Discover how Tourmo's innovative platform can empower your fleet and make your roads safer. Sign up for a demo today to experience the power of mobile-driven insights.

Tourmo is here to help.