Fleet vehicles depend on lights and signals every day. They help drivers to stay visible and safe. Yet, as technology moves forward, lighting enables drivers to operate their vehicles with fewer risks of accidents.
These smart tools keep operations running smoothly while allowing you to implement them more strategically. With more forward-thinking opportunities underway, exploring the most creative uses can be the key to improving efficiency, safety and better operations.
Image: Stagnoli
Why Warning Signals and Lighting Tech Is Important
Fleet work comes with risks. Every year, around 320,000 car crashes, 100,000 injuries and 6,000 deaths occur in these operations. Many of these incidents happen because of limited visibility, miscommunication or overworked drivers. Sometimes, drivers also miss the warning signs only because they aren’t sure what the signals mean.
This gap in understanding can have serious consequences. As Diono CEO Tim Maule points out, recognising what a warning signal portrays could be the difference between preventing and causing an accident.
Light and warning signals are there to catch your attention, but they’re only effective when people understand and respond to them. When upgrading where and how you use lights, you can make sure the right messages get through quickly.
1. LED Garage Door Lights That Guide Vehicle Movement
Most fleet operations already use lighting on loading docks to improve safety. However, some could use clearer signalling for when it’s safe to move. Loading dock lights resemble a stop light but are small and easy to miss. One way to improve lighting would be to use LED strips on the sides of the loading bays.
These indicators offer much more illumination and can flash red lights to let drivers and nearby workers know the door is in motion. Once the door is fully open, the light can switch to a steady green to proceed. This further reduces the chance of damage or accidents, helping your team move more swiftly.
2. Colour-Coded Interior and Exterior Lights to Flag Maintenance Needs
Using colour-coded lighting in the cab and outside the vehicle gives you an excellent way to learn when something needs attention. For example, a green light indicates all systems are working correctly, while a red may warn of a critical issue. These visuals are especially useful for fleets with used or ageing assets, where wear and tear is common and can escalate quickly. While regular checkups are necessary, knowing when something goes wrong can be extra helpful.
3. Brake Lights to Sync with Telematics
Connecting brake lights to a telematics system can offer instant alerts. For example, if there is a mechanical issue while on the road, the lights could flash in a certain way to alert you. During this time, the telematics system can update your team and push for a quick response. This setup creates a feedback loop, where your vehicle lets you know of any issues and sends that data to operations to keep everyone informed.
4. Ground-Projection Safety Zones
Ground-projection lighting defines safe working areas around vehicles. These lights cast boundaries or images on the floor to alert personnel to keep a safe distance. They’re helpful when loading or unloading in low-lit conditions. One way this helps is when a red line appears while a vehicle is operating. This can signal your team to stay in the safety zone until it turns green.
Lighting the Way to Smarter Fleet Operations
Fleet operations need clear, effective communication to keep everyone safe. While lighting and warning signals are most likely part of your processes, these different uses can help your team work more efficiently. Consider investing in these innovations to make a big difference in how your team drives.
Author: Evelyn Long, Editor-in-Chief of Renovated Magazine
