Ford and Bosch Will Test Smart Parking Technology in a Detroit Garage
The city of Detroit, in partnership with both Ford and Bosch, is about to open a new Smart Parking Lab, hosted in Detroit’s Bedrock Assembly Garage.
It’s a real-world environment to test future autonomous technologies that could be used to refine autonomous valet parking into a product.
Opening in September, the facility will also enable these companies to test if it’s possible to introduce automatic smart charging into the system. Rental company Enterprise is going to test how this technology could streamline its own processes. It hopes that cars that drive themselves to a valet station, then recharge themselves before parking back on the lot ready for pickup will reduce dead time between rentals.
Read the article at Autoblog.
Martin Brown Moves to Chair at Fleet Alliance as New-Look Board Focuses on Growth
Martin Brown is to become Chair of leasing provider Fleet Alliance as a new Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer strengthen the board to oversee company expansion.
Joining the Glasgow-based fleet management and leasing broker are experienced automotive executives, Andy Bruce and Nigel McMinn, both formerly of automotive retailer Lookers plc. Bruce is appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and McMinn Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Martin Brown, commenting on the new-look executive board, said: “I am delighted to welcome Andy and Nigel to lead our next phase of expansion. Their experience of creating growth, considerable manufacturer relationships, and extensive knowledge gained in the retail sector, will be invaluable to the company as we position ourselves for the future."
Fleet Alliance is a member of EV100, the global group of businesses committed to switching fleets to zero emission vehicles by 2030, and recently announced it would be working with the Eco3 Partnership to become a carbon neutral company. At the beginning of the year, Fleet Alliance was awarded Platinum Investors In People accreditation.
Why Are Speeding, Distraction and Fatigue the Biggest Risks for Drivers?
By Paul Atchley, PhD, eDriving’s Brain Science Advisor
In a recent article, we examined what it takes to be a safe driver.
In that post we explored the skill of driving as described in the SPIDER model (Visual Scanning, Hazard Prediction, Identification, Decision Making and Execution of a Response ) by Donald Fisher and David Strayer.
In this article we will examine the other side of the safe driving equation; risk, and will explore why behaviors such as Speeding, Distraction and Fatigue pose such a threat (the “Triple Threat”).
In my work with safety professionals, I have occasionally heard variations on the following question: “Why should we ban phones when drivers engage in all sorts of risky behaviors while driving?”
A Call to Action: Good Marketers Know the Difference and Value of News vs. Promotion
By Ed Pierce, President of ITA Communications. Fleet.
I have been privileged to write this Fleet Management Weekly column for several years now, and I always invite readers to drop me a line with any marketing questions or suggestions.
I have gladly responded to individuals with the best answers to their questions, and I have learned from other expert marketers’ ideas.
In this column, I’d like to focus on several inquiries concerning news vs. promotion.
As marketers, it is easy for others in a business to assume that marketing is analogous to selling. We know that it’s more complex, but sometimes face stiff resistance to the complexity and subtleties of an effective marketing program.
Here is a great example of a challenge for marketers:
All-in-One Shop Management Software That Benefits Fleets
Shopmonkey’s software can be found in coast to coast - everywhere from one-man independent shops to franchise level shops, and the benefits for fleets are definitely worth checking out.
