Benchmarking Fleet Management

Abstract

Benchmarking is used to assess the best practices in fleet management for MnDOT. Phase I was a regional study that focused on organizational structure, performance measures and targets, policies, and maintenance in a variety of public and private organizations. Phase II was a national assessment focusing on performance measurements that are most useful in state transportation departments. Thirty-five states participated in the Phase II survey and seven benchmarking interviews were conducted (Arizona, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania) to assess the number, types, and effectiveness of performance measures used in leading state transportation departments. Analysis of data from both phases identified best practices and gaps that MnDOT should consider. Minnesota is assessed to have one of the better fleet management approaches, but many opportunities for improvement are possible. Recommended performance measures are given for the state, district, and shop levels, with appropriate reporting periods (monthly, quarterly, annually). Recommendations are presented regarding control limits, organizational performance indices, strategic planning, predictive maintenance, purchasing standards, cost/benefit analysis, fleet asset centralization, internal rental rates, bar coding, asset replacement, pursuing the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, and review committee makeup. Possible future benchmarking work includes costing, utilization, and asset life cycle analysis.