Powerful storm system may prove challenging for U.S. utility companies

GPS software can aid fleet managers in deploying their resources effectively and ensuring the safety of drivers.

A few months ago, we looked at how the impending arrival of Hurricane Sandy put utility companies under intense pressure to prepare for the widespread power outages and other service failures that were expected to take place during and after the storm.

In some jurisdictions, politicians were especially vocal about the need for service providers to be on their toes in the lead-up to Sandy's arrival. For instance, in Massachusetts, utility companies were subject to a new law mandating that they coordinate with the state emergency management agency. They were also required to take specific steps to ensure they were prepared to conduct effective cleanup and reconstruction operations.

Legislation on the subject was prompted by a string of widely criticized storm-response failures in 2011. Those incidents led Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley to impose significant fines on several companies.

After Winter Storm Nemo battered the state earlier this month, Coakley admitted that utilities seemed to have done a better job responding to the damage, although she stopped far short of offering praise and said she would wait to see the results of an official performance review before determining whether the response was adequate.

We've previously talked about how GPS fleet management software can help a broad range of companies deal with the issues that can be raised by a serious storm. Vehicle tracking systems can be particularly helpful for utility companies that are hard-pressed to make critical repairs in the aftermath of a major storm.

In addition to helping fleet managers deploy their resources effectively, GPS software can aid companies in ensuring the safety of their drivers when crews are operating in adverse conditions.

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