Maintenance problems of a commercial fleet specializing in the bulk distribution of petroleum products are examined. Changes that have taken place in road tanker design, driver productivity schemes, and maintenance requirements caused by these and the introduction of annual vehicle inspection in Great Britain are outlined. To produce optimum maintenance standards with maximum vehicle availability requires an analytical approach for maximum cost effectiveness. Data from a computer based Vehicle Fleet Master File, developed to provide comprehensive cost data and management information for fleet operation, were analyzed to derive planned preventive maintenance systems for three fleet terminals. Under these maintenance systems the mechanical standard of the fleet has been considerably higher and down time has been reduced by 15%. With continual analysis of results the optimum cost levels will be achieved with a saving of 12% in valeting costs and a possible 10% in maintenance and repair costs.
Abstract