Spring is here, and with it comes opportunities for small businesses with commercial vehicles to save money on fuel. You can use these same tips to save money on gas when you take the family on vacation this summer.

Take advantage of Daylight Savings Time. Make the most of extended daylight hours. Keep your drivers on the road longer to make the most of good driving conditions.

Reduce the weight. Trucks and cars used for business can become traveling storage bins. All that extra weight causes the vehicle to use more fuel. Do a spring cleaning, getting rid of excess paperwork, samples, personal belongings and other non-essential detritus. Remove the sand bags you put in the trunk for winter driving conditions.

Look for the best price. Gas prices vary by locality. Make the most of even a few cents per gallon–it adds up. Use apps that direct you to the lease expensive gas stations in your area.

Go slower. This is one of the best ways to save gas. The faster you go, the higher the effect of aerodynamic drag. Driving 62 mph instead of 75 mph reduces fuel use by 15%. According to the Federal Trade Commission, every five miles per hour over 60 mph will cost you a quarter extra for each gallon of fuel you use. Read the rest of this entry »

Some people will run in circles, go through hoops, and jump over obstacles to get a job. David Miller in San Francisco did them one better. He ran in text.

A long-time runner, he says he wanted to work for an “awesome company,” and Strava is the one he chose. He then needed to convince the company to choose him, among the many applicants for the job.

The Value of GPS Tracking

Miller installed a GPS route app on his mobile and ran through the SOMA neighborhood of San Francisco in the along a path he had pre-planned. It spelled out “Hire Me” when it was graphically displayed on the app.

The 8.1 mile route was no problem for Miller, who is registered for four marathons this year.

Did It Work?

Strava spokesman Michael Oldenburg is still silent on how effective the strategy was. He did say that “Strava art,”the company’s term for using the app artistically, is not unknown.

One jogger used it to run a marriage proposal. Another athlete created a turkey. Read the rest of this entry »

The Ironman Triathlon is a physical event that involves swimming, running, and bicycle riding. It is a long-distance race that is provided by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) every year.

During the race, each contestant will swim for 2.4 miles, ride a bicycle for 112 miles, and run a full marathon for 26.2 miles. The race goes in that order and the contestants do not take a break. Naturally, it is known as one of the most difficult sporting events in the world, taking place over a single day.

For the race, there are time limits. In general, the contestants have about 17 hours to complete each section of the Ironman Triathlon. It usually starts early in the morning, and has a cut-off around midnight.

The original Ironman is similar to the Ironman Triathlon, and is held every year in Hawaii, where it has been held since 1978. There are now five brands of Ironman races, including the Iron Girl, Iron Kids, Ironman, Ironman 70.3, and 5150 Triathlon Series.

There are 190 events held each year worldwide. It is a highly challenging and rewarding event for these professional athletes. Read the rest of this entry »

You know that fleet GPS tracking is essential for a company your size. But it how do you decide which one of the GPS tracking models to get? You need to do a thorough evaluation of your needs and then match them to the wide range of features available.

Evaluating Your Business

The big question is what is your main concern, the problem you expect the software to fix. The usual reasons are:

• reduce theft and risk
• monitor your drivers and their performance
• stop moonlighting
• improve delivery times and efficiency
• reduce engine idling
• improve the route planning for fuel efficiency and to reduce slowdowns due to traffic conditions
• do a better job of customer service
• lower fuel costs and the need for maintenance and repair

Read the rest of this entry »

GPS technology paves the way toward more knowledge of severe mental illnesses, such as depression and schizophrenia.

For years, researchers and scientists have tried to discover more about mental illnesses, particularly severe mental illness. Now, with the help of GPS tracking and a new study, they are able to do so.

Researchers at Temple University are utilizing GPS technology to enlighten them with information they have never had before about people with disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression. They are tracking the individual’s community participation, which so far has left a big gap in research about these types of illnesses.

“For the most part, research focuses on their deficits, or on their illnesses. I also think there’s somewhat of a bias. I suspect we don’t think people have lives outside of the mental health system,” said Mark Salzer, who works for the Rehabilitation Sciences at Temple University’s College of Public Health:

Salzer also adds that there isn’t much information about community participation, socialization, and mobility of people who are struggling with severe mental illness. Read the rest of this entry »