ÌìÃÀÍøÕ¾´«Ã½´«Ã½

By Allen Laman

Telematics technology has long been touted as a viable risk management tool for improving fleet safety. But as telematics and video tools capture increasing volumes of on-road data–and artificial intelligence helps to analyze it–experts are now talking about how these connections can improve communication and information sharing.

A panel of experts recently joined Insurance Journal to discuss how these advancements are shaping the future of fleet risk management.

A central theme of the discussion was how connected platforms can serve as a catalyst for conversations between drivers, safety professionals, and other departments across an organization–leading to benefits beyond safety alone.

“You’re seeing it more than just out of the safety arena,” said Gary Johnson, head of safety and compliance strategy at Motive. “You’re seeing it from all aspects of an organization. Because it really is no longer a tool that is focusing on one department.”

The speakers keyed in on how interconnected data generated by AI-powered driver safety platforms can inform fleet optimization strategies and maintenance actions, creating cross-company impacts with clear return on investment.

Trent Zempel, senior director of corporate safety at Takkion, believes that being more efficient makes an organization inherently safer and reduces that risk on the road.

“That AI technology having more data … interconnected with each other gives us better insights to make work better [and] more efficient–and we think safety follows that, as well,” Zempel said.

From One Daily Ping to Tens of Thousands Per Minute

Vehicle telematics technology has evolved significantly over the past two decades, an evolution that Zempel traced from simple GPS tracking to monitoring of acceleration, braking, and cornering behaviors. For example, today, in-cab cameras equipped with machine vision can flag driver fatigue and risky on-road performance issues.

It’s a metamorphosis that Zempel said has taken telematics from a single daily ping to tens of thousands of data points per minute within a single vehicle.

“It is a great tool,” Zempel said of AI, “but at the end of the day, it really is the ability to create forward-looking accountability between that front-line person–the person driving the vehicle–and their partner looking at and reviewing that data, and then having those conversations in real time.”

According to David Turner, head of telematics at The Hartford, these new tools also help alert drivers to unsafe patterns, highlighting areas on the road to which they should pay more attention while helping to inform coaching and training strategies for employers.

“I think it’s that ecosystem that we see the best effect in,” he added. “When a company leans in on driver safety using that technology, that’s where you really start to make a difference.”

Holistic Feedback and Coaching

When asked whether any of his clients have uncovered previously unrecognized or underestimated risks using new telematics tools, Turner pointed to the power of video to bring management into the driver’s seat and build empathy.

For example, older technologies could signal hard-braking events, but with video, “that’s built the ability for management teams to recognize drivers who are adapting to situations quickly,” he said.

A big potential that Johnson sees with the technology is the ability to show a holistic view of a driver–which can improve performance and coach skills beyond single behavioral markers. He likened the capabilities of AI telematics systems to the technology that professional athletes use to master their craft.

“Now, you’re at a level where you’re really taking it at a full performance,” Johnson said, “and the tools of today, and the advanced technology, the AI, gives you that athlete perspective. And you coach more toward that level.”

Implementation Challenges

Despite the excitement about the technologies and their potential applications, introducing developments like dual-facing cameras into vehicles can present challenges. Many fleet drivers use their vehicles as homes for extended periods. In such cases, Zempel believes that consistent, transparent communication can help to build trust and address privacy concerns.

Other potential hurdles for these technologies are ever-changing state laws, noted Turner.

“Privacy is critically important,” he said. “Protecting our customers’ data is critically important. We take it very, very seriously, and I think it’s a key point that customers, providers, [and] carriers need to continue to stay connected with, to talk about [and] understand.”

With the massive volume of data these systems can generate, data overload can also present a challenge for organizations of all sizes. Johnson said prospective clients often go through product trials with all features turned on, and “they want to drink through that firehose.”

This excitement can bog organizations down, Johnson said.

“Ultimately, you then have to re-look at what you want to achieve out of the expectation of the technology,” he said. “And that’s why I always implement the crawl, walk, run [strategy]. Start small. Start adopting to the levels of what you can get, and then open that up to the bigger levels once you get to that run phase.”

Go Deeper

The webinar also explored telematics technology’s potential to impact claims and litigation, as well as how AI-powered camera and route detection capabilities could expand in the future.

“There’s varying challenges, and that’s why first and foremost, I’d emphasize that you’ve got to really partner, and partner well, with each other,” Johnson said. “Technology should never take over your organization. It should be a support tool.”

Topics Trends InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence Tech