Field Operations Guide
Effective field operations keep your fleet healthy, well-distributed, and available for customers. This guide covers daily operational tasks, rebalancing strategies, and tools for efficient fleet management.
Overview
Field operations encompass all activities that maintain fleet availability:
- Rebalancing - Moving vehicles to high-demand areas
- Charging - Collecting and charging low-battery vehicles
- Deployment - Placing vehicles in service
- Maintenance - Identifying and servicing vehicles
- Monitoring - Tracking fleet status in real-time
Daily Operations Cycle
Morning Check
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Review overnight status
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Plan rebalancing routes
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Collect low-battery vehicles
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Charge and service
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Deploy charged vehicles
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Monitor throughout day
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Evening repositioning
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End-of-day reporting
Dashboard Operations Center
Fleet Status Overview
Start each day by reviewing your fleet:
- Go to Dashboard → Vehicles
- Check status summary cards:
- Available vehicles count
- In Use (active rides)
- Maintenance count
- Low battery count
Map View Operations
The map view is essential for field operations:
| Feature | Use For |
|---|---|
| Vehicle markers | See exact locations |
| Battery colors | Identify charging needs |
| Status filters | Focus on specific states |
| Cluster view | Identify concentration areas |
| Zone overlay | See service boundaries |
Quick Filters
Use filters to focus on operational needs:
| Filter | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Low Battery | Find vehicles needing charge |
| Maintenance | See vehicles requiring service |
| Available | Check deployment distribution |
| Offline | Identify connectivity issues |
Rebalancing Operations
Why Rebalance?
Rebalancing ensures vehicles are where customers need them:
- High-demand areas stay stocked
- Underused areas don't accumulate vehicles
- Morning/evening patterns are addressed
- Event crowds are supported
Identifying Rebalancing Needs
Indicators of imbalance:
- Map clustering - Too many vehicles in one area
- Empty zones - No vehicles in high-traffic areas
- Usage patterns - Historical demand data
- Customer feedback - Complaints about availability
Rebalancing Workflow
Assess Current Distribution
Open the map view and identify clusters and gaps.
Plan Collection Route
Note vehicles to move from oversupplied areas.
Update Status
Set vehicles to Transportation as you collect.
Move Vehicles
Transport to target locations.
Deploy
Set vehicles to Available at new locations.
Verify Placement
Confirm GPS shows correct positions.
Rebalancing Best Practices
- Time it right - Rebalance before peak hours
- Use data - Check historical demand patterns
- Plan routes - Optimize collection paths
- Communicate - Coordinate with team members
- Document - Note patterns for future planning
Charging Operations
Monitoring Battery Levels
The dashboard helps you track charging needs:
- Use the Low Battery filter
- Sort vehicles by battery percentage
- Check battery icons on map (color-coded)
- Review the Low Battery Vehicles count
Battery Level Indicators
| Level | Color | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 60%+ | Green | No action needed |
| 30-60% | Yellow | Monitor |
| 10-30% | Orange | Schedule collection |
| < 10% | Red | Priority collection |
Charging Workflow
Identify Low Battery Vehicles
Filter dashboard for low battery vehicles.
Plan Collection Route
Optimize based on location and battery level.
Set Status to Charging
Mark vehicles as Charging when collected.
Transport to Charging Station
Move vehicles to your charging facility.
Charge Batteries
Swap batteries or plug in for charging.
Return to Service
Once charged, set to Available and deploy.
Battery Swapping vs. Charging
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Swap | Fast turnaround | Spare batteries needed |
| On-Vehicle Charging | Simpler logistics | Longer downtime |
Charging Station Management
If operating charging stations:
- Track which vehicles are charging
- Monitor charge completion
- Rotate vehicles efficiently
- Maintain charging equipment
Vehicle Deployment
Deployment Strategy
Effective deployment maximizes fleet utilization:
| Factor | Consideration |
|---|---|
| Time of day | Morning commute vs. evening |
| Day of week | Weekday vs. weekend patterns |
| Weather | Rain reduces demand |
| Events | Concerts, games, festivals |
| Seasonality | Summer vs. winter usage |
Deployment Workflow
Check Charged Vehicles
Identify fully charged vehicles ready for deployment.
Review Target Areas
Check which zones need more vehicles.
Verify Vehicle Condition
Quick inspection before deployment.
Transport to Location
Move vehicles to target deployment spots.
Set Status to Available
Update status so customers can see them.
Confirm GPS Position
Ensure location is correctly reported.
Pre-Deployment Checklist
Before deploying any vehicle:
- Battery fully charged (or above minimum)
- Tires properly inflated
- Brakes functioning
- Lights working (if applicable)
- No visible damage
- IoT device connected and reporting
- Clean and presentable
Bulk Operations
When to Use Bulk Actions
Bulk operations save time when:
- Rebalancing multiple vehicles
- Collecting vehicles for charging
- Changing status for a group
- Responding to weather events
Performing Bulk Status Changes
Select Vehicles
Click checkboxes next to vehicles or use Select All.
Open Bulk Actions
Click Bulk Actions button.
Choose Status
Select the target status (e.g., Transportation, Charging).
Confirm Change
Review selection and confirm.
Common Bulk Scenarios
| Scenario | Action |
|---|---|
| Morning collection | Select low battery → Set to Charging |
| Storm incoming | Select all → Set to Storage |
| Event deployment | Select charged → Set to Available |
| End of day | Select stragglers → Set to Transportation |
Status Management Workflows
Status Transition Guide
| Current Status | Next Status | When |
|---|---|---|
| Available | Transportation | Collecting for rebalance |
| Transportation | Charging | Arrived at charging station |
| Charging | Available | Fully charged, deploying |
| Available | Maintenance | Issue discovered |
| Maintenance | Available | Repair complete |
| Available | Storage | Seasonal/long-term |
Status Best Practices
- Update immediately - Change status as actions occur
- Use correct status - Each status has meaning
- Add notes - Document reason for changes
- Coordinate - Communicate with team
Daily Operational Checklists
Morning Checklist
- Review overnight alerts and notifications
- Check low battery vehicle count
- Identify maintenance needs
- Review yesterday's ride patterns
- Plan morning rebalancing routes
- Verify all charging vehicles are ready
- Deploy charged vehicles to key areas
Midday Checklist
- Monitor real-time fleet distribution
- Address any reported vehicle issues
- Check for stuck or idle vehicles
- Rebalance if needed based on demand
- Respond to customer support requests
- Update vehicle notes as needed
Evening Checklist
- Plan overnight charging collection
- Reposition vehicles for next morning
- Collect any reported problem vehicles
- Update maintenance queue
- Review day's operational metrics
- Prepare for next day's operations
Team Coordination
Shift Handoffs
When transitioning between shifts:
- Brief incoming team - Current fleet status
- Note ongoing issues - Vehicles in transit, pending tasks
- Share observations - Demand patterns, problem areas
- Update notes - Document in dashboard
Communication Channels
| Channel | Use For |
|---|---|
| Dashboard notes | Persistent vehicle documentation |
| Team chat | Real-time coordination |
| Email alerts | Important notifications |
| Shift reports | End-of-day summaries |
Responding to Issues
Vehicle Problems
When a vehicle issue is reported:
- Locate the vehicle on the map
- Set status to Maintenance immediately
- Dispatch field staff if needed
- Add notes describing the issue
- Schedule repair or collection
Customer Complaints
For availability or vehicle issues:
- Check the specific vehicle's status
- Review recent telemetry data
- Verify actual location
- Take corrective action
- Follow up with customer support
Weather Events
Prepare for weather impacts:
| Condition | Action |
|---|---|
| Rain expected | Consider preemptive collection |
| Storm warning | Set fleet to Storage |
| Extreme heat | Monitor battery temperatures |
| Cold snap | Check for reduced battery capacity |
Operational Metrics
Key Performance Indicators
Track these metrics for operational success:
| Metric | Target | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Fleet availability | > 80% | Vehicles ready for customers |
| Avg. rebalancing time | < 30 min | Quick turnaround |
| Low battery response | < 4 hours | Prevent customer disappointment |
| Maintenance turnaround | < 24 hours | Minimize downtime |
Daily Reporting
Generate daily operations reports:
- Go to Analytics → Operations
- Review vehicle status distribution
- Check rides per vehicle metrics
- Note any anomalies or issues
- Export for team review
Efficient Operations
Consistent, well-planned field operations are the foundation of a successful fleet. By following these workflows and using the dashboard tools effectively, you'll maximize vehicle availability and customer satisfaction.