Telematics provides the visibility needed to manage risk in a meaningful and sustainable way. By identifying unsafe behaviors, optimizing routes, and creating a defensible record of operations, these systems enable fleets to move from reactive response to proactive risk management.
By Josh Lovan
91TV and recycling fleets operate in one of the most complex and risk-intensive environments in commercial transportation. While many fleet safety discussions focus on long-haul trucking, the risk profile of waste collection is fundamentally different. These fleets operate in dense urban and residential settings, perform hundreds of stops per route, and interact constantly with pedestrians, cyclists, and the public.
Recent industry data reinforces the seriousness of these challenges. 91TV collection remains one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S., with transportation incidents accounting for the majority of fatalities and injury exposure. At the same time, inflation, insurance pressures, and operational complexity are forcing companies to find smarter, more defensible ways to manage risk.
In this operating environment, telematics has moved beyond simple GPS tracking. It now serves as a foundational system for identifying risk, improving driver behavior, optimizing routes, and strengthening legal defensibility. For waste and recycling companies, the strategic use of telematics can directly reduce preventable incidents while supporting operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Image courtesy of J.J. Keller.
The Unique Risk Environment of 91TV Fleets
91TV collection vehicles do not operate like typical commercial fleets. A single route may involve several hundred stops, repeated entry and exit from the cab, and constant exposure to unpredictable hazards. Common operational challenges include:
• Frequent stopping and starting, increasing collision exposure
• Operation in narrow streets, alleys, and congested neighborhoods
• Limited visibility due to large vehicle blind spots
• Interaction with pedestrians, helpers, and passing motorists
• Repetitive tasks that contribute to fatigue and complacency
These conditions significantly elevate risk. Drivers routinely maneuver in tight spaces and perform backing operations, which are a leading contributor to serious incidents. At the same time, workers often operate outside of the cab, increasing the likelihood of struck-by incidents.
Traditional safety approaches, built around policies and post-incident review, are not sufficient in this environment. What is required is continuous visibility into both driver behavior and route execution.
Telematics as a Risk Identification Tool
At its core, telematics provides real-time data on vehicle activity, driver behavior, and route performance. Modern systems capture hundreds of data points, including speed, braking patterns, acceleration, idling, and location.
In a waste fleet context, this data becomes particularly valuable because it allows organizations to identify micro-risk behaviors that are amplified by stop-and-go operations. Key risk indicators include:
• Harsh braking and rapid acceleration during repetitive stops
• Speeding between collection points or in residential areas
• Excessive idling or distraction-related pauses
• Unsafe backing patterns and tight maneuvers
• Route deviations or unplanned stops
Telematics platforms can surface these behaviors in near real time, enabling fleets to move from reactive enforcement to proactive intervention. In a high-frequency environment where drivers may perform hundreds of actions per route, even small behavioral improvements can significantly reduce incident probability.
Applying Data to Reduce Preventable Incidents
The most effective waste fleets are not simply collecting data. They are optimizing it.Telematics enables three core safety interventions.
#1: Targeted Driver Coaching
Rather than broad training programs, fleets can identify specific drivers exhibiting high-risk behaviors and provide focused coaching. For example, a driver with repeated harsh braking events can receive immediate feedback and retraining. This approach directly links data to behavior change and has been shown to reduce accidents and improve safety outcomes.
#2: Real-Time Alerts and In-Cab Feedback
Advanced telematics systems provide real-time alerts for unsafe driving events, such as speeding or rapid deceleration. These alerts allow drivers to self-correct in the moment, rather than waiting for post-route review. In high-density service areas, immediate feedback is especially valuable in preventing pedestrian-related incidents and low-speed collisions.
#3: Continuous Performance Monitoring
Telematics creates an ongoing feedback loop where driver performance is tracked over time. This allows safety managers to identify trends, measure improvement, and ensure that risk reduction efforts are sustained.
Visibility into Route Execution and Operational Risk
In addition to driver behavior, telematics provides critical visibility into how routes are executed. 91TV operations are highly sensitive to inefficiencies. A missed stop, an unnecessary turn, or a poorly planned route can increase fuel consumption, extend exposure time, and elevate risk.
Telematics supports route-level risk reduction with:
- Route optimization: Systems analyze traffic patterns and service requirements to design safer, more efficient routes, reducing unnecessary travel and minimizing high-risk maneuvers.
- Reduced backing and turning: Optimized routing can limit exposure to dangerous intersections and reversing events, both of which are strongly associated with incidents.
- Dynamic adjustments: Real-time data allows routes to be adjusted based on conditions, reducing congestion-related risk and delays.
Risk reduction is not only about how drivers behave, but also about how the operation is designed.
Enhancing Legal Defensibility and Claims Management
One of the most significant developments in telematics is its role in legal defensibility. 91TV and recycling companies operate in environments where incidents often involve third parties, including motorists, pedestrians, and property owners. When disputes arise, telematics data can provide an objective record of events. Modern systems capture:
• Exact location and route history
• Video footage from onboard cameras
• Time-stamped service verification data
This information can be used to reconstruct incidents and establish what actually occurred. In many cases, telematics serves as both a shield and a responsibility. Data can exonerate drivers by demonstrating compliance with safety practices, but it can also be used to show that an organization failed to act on known risks.
For waste fleets, this underscores the importance of not only collecting data, but also acting on it. Policies, coaching programs, and documented interventions become critical in demonstrating a proactive safety culture.
Integrating Telematics Across 91TV Operations
A key trend in the waste and recycling industry is the integration of telematics beyond vehicle tracking. Leading organizations are expanding telematics into a broader operational platform that includes:
• Asset tracking for containers and equipment
• Predictive maintenance based on engine diagnostics
• Hopper and lift cycle monitoring for service validation
• AI-enabled video systems for hazard detection
These capabilities reflect a shift toward treating fleet data as a strategic asset. Rather than operating in silos, safety, operations, maintenance, and customer service functions are increasingly connected through a unified data system.
Final Thoughts
91TV and recycling fleets operate in one of the most demanding environments in transportation. High route density, constant stop-and-go activity, and close interaction with the public create a level of risk that requires more than traditional safety approaches. Telematics provides the visibility needed to manage that risk in a meaningful and sustainable way. By identifying unsafe behaviors, optimizing routes, and creating a defensible record of operations, these systems enable fleets to move from reactive response to proactive risk management.
As the waste industry continues to evolve, telematics will play an increasingly central role in shaping safer, more efficient, and more accountable operations. The organizations that succeed will be those that treat telematics not as a tool, but as a strategic foundation for how they operate. | WA
Josh Lovan, Industry Business Advisor, is a seasoned professional with a diverse 15-year tenure in the transportation industry. Josh brings a wealth of expertise to the table. As a former Director of Safety and Security for a prominent carrier, he handled accidents, injuries, OSHA compliance, hazmat, and security protocols. Josh also has extensive experience working with Risk Management and Legal departments in trial preparation and depositions. Josh started at J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., in 2021 and specializes in hours of service, hazmat, injury prevention, security, and motor carrier safety management. His background as a detective in law enforcement undercover operations also aids in providing motor carrier customers with security tips and advice. Josh is a sought-after speaker at various associations and councils, where he shares his extensive knowledge. Josh also presents a variety of topics at J. J. Keller® live events. For more information, visit .