Driving Success: A Fleet Advantage Podcast

EP. 19: CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Week 2026

In Episode 19 of Driving Success, Tracy Derival is joined by Nathan Rhoads, CTP, Director of Asset Performance at Fleet Advantage, to discuss CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Week 2026. Together, they explore this year's enforcement priorities, why driver behavior remains one of the greatest opportunities for improving roadway safety, and how organizations with transportation fleets can leverage coaching, telematics, and the latest TRUST Safety Index insights to strengthen safety culture well beyond the campaign week. Chapters: * 00:00 Introduction to Nathan Rhoads & Operation Safe Driver Week * 02:43 Behavioral Trends * 04:11 Importance of Driver Alertness * 05:13 Proactive Coaching for Drivers * 06:49 Advice for Long-Term Safety * 08:44 Conclusion 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! * Fleet Advantage ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/company/fleet-advantage/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/fleet-advantage/] * Nathan Rhoads ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-rhoads-232915134/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-rhoads-232915134/] * Tracy Derival ➡https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/] Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/ [https://www.fleetadvantage.com/]

EP. 18: National Tire Safety Week 2026

In this episode, Tracy Derival and Wesley Hall, CTP, Senior Director of Asset Performance & Off Lease at Fleet Advantage, kick off this year's Summer of Safety series by recognizing National Tire Safety Week. They discuss why tire health remains one of the most overlooked factors in fleet safety, how proactive inspections and proper maintenance can reduce roadside breakdowns and out-of-service violations, and why organizations with transportation fleets should view tire management as a critical part of their overall lifecycle strategy. Chapters: * 00:00 Introduction * 01:43 Why Tire Safety Still Matters * 02:25 TRUST Safety Index Reveals Tire-Related Violations * 03:26 Proactive vs. Reactive Tire Maintenance * 04:38 Understanding Tire Categories and Their Impact * 05:47 Key Takeaways for Organizations with Transportation Fleets * 07:09 Closing 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! * Fleet Advantage ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/company/fleet-advantage/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/fleet-advantage/] * Wes Hall ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesley-hall-ctp-323367a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesley-hall-ctp-323367a/] * Tracy Derival ➡https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/] Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/ [https://www.fleetadvantage.com/]

EP. 17: 2026 TLDI Reveals the Hidden Cost of Running Older Fleet Equipment

In this episode of Driving Success, Tracy Derival sits down with Joseph Rugare, Senior Fleet and Transaction Analyst at Fleet Advantage, to discuss the latest findings from Fleet Advantage’s Truck Life Cycle Data Index (TLDI) and the growing financial risks of operating older fleet equipment in today’s diesel environment. With diesel prices surpassing $5 per gallon nationally, organizations with transportation fleets are facing rapidly rising fuel, maintenance, and operating costs, especially those running aging Class-8 trucks. Chapters: * 00:00 Introduction * 01:30 Background on Joseph Rugare * 02:12 Cost Difference Between Running Older vs. Newer Fleet Equipment * 03:05 Rising Fuel Prices Being a Disadvantage * 04:06 Millions in Extra Cost Running Older Equipment * 05:15 Risks in Delaying Upgrading Equipment * 06:05 Long-Term Strategies for Organizations 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! * Joseph Rugare ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-rugare/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-rugare/] * Tracy Derival ➡https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/] Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/ [https://www.fleetadvantage.com/]

EP. 16: Heavy-Duty Truck Fleets Use of AI: 2026 Industry Survey Results

In this episode of Driving Success, Tracy Derival sits down with Mac Hudson, CTP, Senior Off-Lease Manager at Fleet Advantage, live from the 2026 NPTC Annual Conference, to discuss the latest “Use of AI in Fleets” survey findings. The conversation explores the rapid rise of generative AI adoption across private fleets, the growing data integration challenges limiting deeper operational returns, and the major untapped opportunities AI presents for organizations with transportation fleets. Chapters: * 00:00 Introduction * 00:46 Mac Hudson’s Background & Role * 01:27 Why Generative AI Adoption Has Surged * 02:40 Challenges with AI * 04:20 Untapped Opportunities for AI in Fleet Operations * 05:39 Closing 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! * Mac Hudson ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mac-hudson-ab690b61/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mac-hudson-ab690b61/] * Tracy Derival ➡https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/] See the full survey results here! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/press-releases/fleet-advantage-survey-finds-generative-ai-has-taken-hold-in-private-fleets-but-data-gaps-are-blocking-deeper-returns [https://www.fleetadvantage.com/press-releases/fleet-advantage-survey-finds-generative-ai-has-taken-hold-in-private-fleets-but-data-gaps-are-blocking-deeper-returns] Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/ [https://www.fleetadvantage.com/]

EP. 15: The Pre Buy Is Back: Why Fleets Cannot Afford to Wait on EPA 2027

In this episodeof Driving Success, Tracy Derival and Brian Antonellis, SVP of Fleet Operations at Fleet Advantage, discuss the confirmed EPA 2027 NOx regulations and why the truck pre-buy is officially back. With the EPA holding firm on the 35 mg standard, fleets face shrinking 2026 build availability, rising OEM costs, and increased allocation risk. Brian explains the financial implications, why private fleets are moving early, and the critical steps organizations must take now to control costs and secure equipment ahead of 2027. Chapters: * 00:00 Introduction * 01:52 The Pre-Buy Coming Back * 02:33 Underestimating Build Slots and Pricing * 03:30 Financial Implications * 04:15 Private Fleets Acting Now * 05:55 Important Actions for Fleets to Make 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! * Brian Antonellis ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-a-35713420/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-a-35713420/] * Tracy Derival ➡https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/] Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/ [https://www.fleetadvantage.com/]