Guido Sluijsmans (NEXTdriver): “Data-driven driver coaching better retains improved driving behaviour”

4 minutes reading time

Dutch company NEXTdriver recently became LogiVille’s Start2Scale-up Partner, having previously been a theme partner within the ‘Smart Vehicles’ theme. It specialises in driver behaviour coaching for transport companies. By digitally supporting drivers based on data about their driving behaviour, it can not only reduce their fuel consumption, but also the number of claims. Guido Sluijsmans, CEO and co-founder introduces the company to us.

How did NEXTdriver and the concept of driver behaviour coaching come about?

NEXTdriver was founded in 2015. It started with a technological concept under development at TNO. At the time, it was identified that distracted driving – such as smartphone use – was becoming an increasing problem for road safety.

I had previously worked at TNO – a Dutch technological research institute that develops knowledge and makes it applicable for companies and governments – together with Jasper Pauwelussen, who had also been working at TomTom Telematics. We originally worked on an AI-assisted dashcam to observe and improve truck drivers’ driving behaviour, but pretty soon we realised that the market was not ready for such a system. We also found that transport companies were still not doing much with the data at hand.

So we changed directions and started using data from already installed on-board computer systems. These systems record data on driving behaviour, such as speed, braking, coasting, idling, cruise control use and so on. We use this data to inform and coach the driver to achieve long-term behavioural change.

So sensors don’t come in handy for observing driving behaviour?

No. You don’t need to fit sensors to do that. Data from the FMS system (the on-board computer, that is) – and now the tachograph – suffice, irrespective of their make. NEXTdriver is ‘hardware agnostic’. The companies give permission to process the data in our data platform.

Based on that data – and on the employer’s set goals – various scores are created which are communicated to the driver and which the coach can work with. Within two weeks, we can already start coaching drivers to adopt a more economical and safer driving behaviour.

Why is coaching of such importance?

In the sector, a lot of training is organised – for example, within the framework of the so-called ‘Code 95’ obligations – by truck manufacturers and training centres, among others. This does indeed achieve a reduction in fuel consumption, but it is also observed that drivers relapse into their former driving behaviour quite quickly.

For us, it is important to ‘retain’ the change in driving behaviour. To this end, we support behavioural change not only with data and technology, but also and especially by deploying coaching.

How are you implementing that in practice?

We developed an application that allows the driver to see his scores every week. Via short chat messages – which is very low-threshold – the coach can communicate with the driver and give him tips and tricks to improve those scores. Via the app, the driver can also share information with the coach to point out, for example, why his driving performance was less. Perhaps the (weather) conditions were bad or there was something wrong with the planning that week.

Incidentally, a translation function is built into that chat, allowing the coach to type in his messages and the driver to read them in his own language.

Who does the coaching?

This can be the company’s own internal coach or, if it does not have its own coach, that of NEXTdriver or one of its partners. In the former case, the coach will have all NEXTdriver’s tools at its disposal. This platform consists of an application for drivers, a coaching portal and a management portal, including all kinds of communication tools. Experience shows that coaches work 75% faster thanks to this platform.

If the company does not have its own coach, it can call upon NEXTdriver’s coaching partners who have years of experience in the profession. They can also temporarily take over the tasks of the company coach when the latter is on leave, for example.

How big are the measurable effects?

Driving behaviour scores improve sustainably by at least 5% to as much as 25%. In most cases, it is between 12 and 15%. Fuel consumption reduces between 3 and 8%. On average, it drops by 4.2%. Damage avoidance is more difficult to demonstrate, but we can say that coaching can reduce damage by up to 50%. We know a number of companies that were struggling with a high number of claims and were in danger of having to pay higher insurance premiums. However, thanks to NEXTdriver’s efforts, they were able to avoid this premium increase.

What is your business model?

NEXTdriver is a SaaS (Software as a Service) company. For a flat fee of 18 euros per driver per month, the transport company gets access to the driver app, the management portal, the coaching portal, the coaching itself and a monthly report. If the company has its own coach, the fee is only 11 euros.

Is NEXTdriver also available in Belgium?

Sure. We already have some great customers in Belgium, such as Transport Van Praet and Remitrans. We started in the Netherlands but are now in Spain, Germany, Denmark, Romania and Slovakia. Our team currently consists of around 12 people and in some countries we work with partners.

Why did NEXTdriver become partner of LogiVille?

During a transport fair, we came into contact with people from LogiVille and were charmed by its innovative nature. So last year, we took part in the ‘Smart Vehicles’ Theme Tours. Interest in NEXTdriver was high and we realised that LogiVille could be a nice springboard for the Belgian market. We therefore decided to become Start2Scale-up partner.

By the way: on 19 June, NEXTdriver is organising an information and demonstration session at LogiVille in collaboration with ERS-Academy Belgium and The Hazard Factory on safety, training and innovations within the logistics sector. You can find more info on our LinkedIn under events.