The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. has unveiled new technology-based risk management tools to help commercial fleet customers enhance the safety of their operations.

The Hartford's FleetAhead offers, in-vehicle driver feedback technology, loss control services and customized reporting tools to help fleet managers identify ways to improve safety and lower their vehicle operating costs. The Hartford will begin offering FleetAhead to customers of its School Bus Contractors program this month.

"Improving passenger safety, reducing accidents and controlling costs are key concerns for school bus operators and all commercial fleet managers," Scott Stevens said, assistant vice president of The Hartford's Captive & Specialty Programs.

For the school bus program, The Hartford has selected GreenRoad, a company that focuses on measuring, improving and sustaining safe and fuel efficient driving. The FleetAhead combines GreenRoad's ability to provide insight into a driver's risk level with The Hartford's longstanding consultative approach to loss control. The Hartford and GreenRoad recently announced a two-year non-exclusive strategic alliance focusing on opportunities to help The Hartford's insurance customers improve driver safety and lower vehicle operating costs.

Specific components of the FleetAhead offering for The Hartford's school bus clients include:

• Real-time Analysis and Coaching Technology, provided by GreenRoad's driving behavior improvement service, can help drivers make corrections as they drive. Feedback is delivered via a simple, non-distracting red-yellow-green LED display that can enable drivers to identify and self-correct risky and inefficient driving maneuvers in the moment and sustain improvement over time through ongoing feedback. This information is available and summarized on GreenRoad's Web portal, where drivers and fleet managers can get insight into actual driver performance.
  
• Loss Control Services that can help fleet managers incorporate driving behavior data into their risk management programs. As part of a 12-month plan, a dedicated loss control team helps fleet managers develop baseline metrics and review driver scores monthly, enabling fleet managers to better understand their risks and help them improve their safety programs.
  
• Reporting and Analytical Tools: The Hartford's state-of-the-art @venture Risk Management Information System (RMIS) allows risk managers to analyze losses, identify trends and help measure the overall success of their risk management programs.
  

Initially, The Hartford will offer FleetAhead exclusively to its School Bus Contractors Program customers through Capacity Coverage of New Jersey, a leading insurance brokerage for the school bus industry.

"The school bus industry is entrusted with the safety of millions of children each day, so driver skill and performance are of the utmost importance." Jeff Carlson said, executive vice president at Capacity. "

For more information about FleetAhead, visit www.thehartford.com/fleetahead or contact [email protected].