Real-time insights protect trailers and free up time 

Before Samsara, Collins Trucking manually tracked their trailers which was time consuming and prone to error, especially when conducting yard checks across multiple lots. In one final event before transitioning to Samsara, seven trailers valued at $175,000 went missing at once, greatly impacting trailer availability and profitability. Fortunately, they were able to manually recover each trailer over the span of eight months but the solution was clear—they needed real-time visibility into all of their trailers. 

They implemented Samsara’s Smart Trailer solution to monitor trailer locations, optimize utilization, and assess their condition in real time. With pinpoint location tracking, drivers can find trailers in the yard precisely and quickly so they can start their day faster. Additionally, Dormancy Reports ensure that their trailers are regularly used. This visibility enables them to rotate trailers efficiently, with 91% of their trailers sitting dormant for less than three days. 

Proactive ABS monitoring minimizes the risk of DOT violations 

Previously, ABS light warnings put Collins Trucking at risk for DOT inspections on the road, which could impact their CSA score or result in being put out of service. With the ABS monitoring feature, they improved their proactive maintenance program by providing the team with real-time notifications of light statuses. 

“The longer we use Samsara, the more benefits we see. We’re now using ABS monitoring to help us stay on top of maintenance and keep our CSA score down,” said Joe Morella, Operations Manager.

Ensuring a successful dash cam rollout with effective change management strategies

Collins Trucking did not have prior experience with dash cams but after they experienced a series of incidents, they reconsidered their approach to safety and risk management. They needed the ability to determine fault and provide evidence for insurance claims, leading them to install AI Dash Cams. 

To ensure a smooth transition and gain driver buy-in, they began with a pilot program consisting of a small group of drivers. This allowed the team to gather real examples of the dash cams' benefits, which were then shared during the company-wide rollout. Management prioritized clear communication, emphasizing that the cameras were meant to exonerate drivers, not monitor them constantly. This transparency eased concerns and resulted in 100% driver retention throughout implementation.

To further protect driver data and promote a culture of trust, access to camera footage is tightly controlled with only two individuals in the company authorized full access. Ultimately, drivers understand the importance of having hard evidence to prove their innocence when they’re involved in accidents. Today, Collins Trucking uses dash cam footage to quickly exonerate drivers—sometimes even clearing drivers’ names at the scene of the incident by showing law enforcement the footage right then and there.