LAS VEGAS, Nev. – LinkeDrive announced at the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) annual convention this week that USA Truck has installed its PedalCoach mobile application in its fleet of trucks.

According to LinkeDrive, the mobile app helps fleets increase fuel efficiency and increase its existing pay-for-performance program. The app uses LinkeDrive’s cloud-based platform and gives fleets real-time feedback. The app communicates with drivers using a red-yellow-green interface so drivers can earn “points” for their good driving behaviour and patterns. As well, it allows fleets to access driver and truck analytics, compare drivers, and evaluate seasonal variances in performance.

“It’s a very simple tool for drivers to use,” Jeff Baer, LinkeDrive’s founder and CEO told Truck News at the TCA convention. “All they have to do is keep it in the green. We tried to make it as positive as possible, so instead of dinging them for things they can’t control, we tell them how good of a job they’re doing. And the drivers love it because we tell them they’re doing a good job and they like to hear it.”

USA Truck used the mobile application for one year as a trial period. At the end of the trial period, USA Truck said that the app increased fuel savings and enhanced its pay-for-performance program, which, in turn, improved the satisfaction levels of its drivers.

“Our drivers are truly the backbone of USA Truck and we take great pride in the work that they do to make our company successful,” said Martin Tewari, USA Truck’s president of trucking. “As a result, we place a strong emphasis on ensuring that our drivers have work-life balance and are properly compensated for performance. Besides increasing fuel economy, LinkeDrive’s pay-for-performance capabilities quickly demonstrated the overall performance of our drivers and helped us make the jobs of our drivers a bit easier while rewarding those who drove in the most fuel-efficient manner. While fuel savings was a key objective for leveraging PedalCoach, its ability to enhance our pay-for-performance capabilities is proving to be significantly positive.”

Baer added that the tool isn’t just about correcting behaviour through technology.

“The tool does most of the work, but we speak with the drivers regularly because we think it’s important to have that communication. Changing human behaviour with technology works better when there’s a human touch,” he said. “So with our tool we’re in there all the time, but we make sure to talk with them to address how they can be better and give them credit.”

The application can be deployed on LinkeDrive’s Android device and also integrated easily on Android-based tablets installed within cabs. Installations take less than 15 minutes per truck.

To learn more visit www.LinkeDrive.com.