When Tina Stewart, Supervisor of Safety Technologies at Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, talks about her fleet, she lights up with enthusiasm. Managing a 3,500-vehicle fleet that spans the Southeast is no small feat, but Stewart and her team have a secret weapon: advanced telematics and AI-driven safety tools. By leveraging Geotab’s fleet management platform with integration and support from Assured Telematics, Coca-Cola United has transformed how it approaches safety, efficiency, and innovation in fleet management. In this article, we explore how Stewart’s team uses cutting-edge technology and strong industry partnerships to keep drivers safe, optimize routes, and continually improve operations.
Safety is paramount for Coca-Cola United’s fleet. To reinforce that commitment, Stewart helped implement AI-driven in-cab monitoring systems that keep a watchful (electronic) eye on driver behavior. These smart systems can detect if a driver isn’t wearing a seatbelt, is using a phone, or showing signs of distraction. “Our number-one priority is making sure every driver gets home safe each day,” Stewart emphasizes. “The in-cab AI monitors have been a game-changer. If a driver looks at their phone or forgets their seatbelt, we know in real time – and we can coach them on it immediately.”
This technology isn’t about punishing drivers; it’s about coaching and awareness. Modern dashcam-based telematics can even issue audible alerts in the moment, reminding drivers to correct unsafe behaviors. Coca-Cola United’s drivers have adapted quickly. “At first, some were nervous about ‘Big Brother’ watching,” Stewart admits. “But now they appreciate it – it’s like having a guardian angel riding along. They’ve become more conscious of their habits.” The results speak for themselves: seatbelt usage is near-universal, and instances of distracted driving have plummeted. By catching and correcting risky behaviors early, these tools can prevent accidents before they happen, creating a safer environment not just for Coca-Cola’s drivers but for everyone on the road.
Improving safety often goes hand-in-hand with boosting efficiency. Telematics data from Geotab gives Coca-Cola United deep visibility into how its vehicles are being used each day – and that data has unlocked big opportunities to save time and fuel. One major area of improvement has been route optimization. By analyzing GPS and delivery data, Stewart’s team can plan smarter routes that reduce overlap, avoid bottlenecks, and ensure trucks spend more time delivering product and less time sitting in traffic. “With 3,500 vehicles on the road, even a small tweak in routes or schedules can translate into huge gains,” Stewart notes. “We’ve used telematics to identify better delivery sequences and departure times. It’s shaved off miles and minutes here and there, and that adds up to thousands of gallons of fuel saved per year.”
Another efficiency win has come from curbing unnecessary engine idling and harsh driving. Telematics reports reveal patterns like excessive idling during stops or aggressive acceleration. Once drivers and managers saw this information, they tackled it head-on. “We noticed some trucks were idling for 15+ minutes at deliveries,” says Stewart. “Now the system notifies us, and we’ve coached drivers to shut off the engine if they’re stopped for more than a couple of minutes.”
The change has significantly cut fuel waste and reduced emissions. Likewise, by promoting gentler driving habits (and even tying them into driver scorecards), the fleet has lowered maintenance costs - smoother driving means less wear on brakes and tires. Tina Stewart is quick to point out that these optimizations benefit drivers too: “When routes are efficient and we’re not asking drivers to rush or take long detours, their workdays get easier. They can complete routes on time and with less stress.” It’s a virtuous cycle: efficiency improvements save money and make the job safer and more enjoyable for the drivers, reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement.
Behind Coca-Cola United’s telematics success is a strong partnership with Assured Telematics. As a solutions provider and Geotab partner, Assured Telematics worked closely with Stewart’s team to tailor the system to Coca-Cola United’s unique needs. This customer-first, relationship-based approach has made all the difference. “Assured Telematics has been more than just a vendor – they’re like an extension of our team,” Stewart explains. “From day one, they took the time to understand our operational challenges and goals. It wasn’t a one-size-fits-all deployment.”
For example, Coca-Cola United wanted to integrate its in-cab camera data with the Geotab platform for unified reporting. Assured Telematics collaborated with them to implement this integration seamlessly, ensuring that safety alerts from the AI cameras appear in the same dashboard as other fleet metrics. “They basically said, ‘Tell us what you need, and we’ll find a way,’ and then they delivered,” Stewart says. That level of support extends to ongoing service: Assured’s team provides regular check-ins, training for new features, and rapid response to any issues. Stewart recalls a time when they needed a custom report to analyze delivery stop times – “The Assured team jumped on it and had a solution for us in days. They really treat our problems as their own.”
“They basically said, ‘Tell us what you need, and we’ll find a way,’ and then they delivered,” Stewart says. That level of support extends to ongoing service: Assured’s team provides regular check-ins, training for new features, and rapid response to any issues. Stewart recalls a time when they needed a custom report to analyze delivery stop times – “The Assured team jumped on it and had a solution for us in days. They really treat our problems as their own.”
This collaborative spirit has built a high level of trust. Coca-Cola United knows it can call up Assured Telematics with new ideas or challenges and get expert guidance. In turn, Assured Telematics often introduces Stewart’s team to emerging technologies, like new AI analytics or maintenance prediction tools, that could further improve operations. “It’s a true partnership,” says Stewart. “They keep us informed about what’s next in telematics and how we can leverage it. That relationship approach means we’re never alone in figuring things out – we have experts on our side.” For a fleet as large and dynamic as Coca-Cola United’s, having a responsive partner to support their telematics ecosystem is invaluable.
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Staying at the forefront of fleet technology requires constant learning and networking. That’s why Stewart and her colleagues make it a priority to participate in industry events and conferences. One such event is Accelerate 2025, an exclusive customer-and-partner forum hosted by Assured Telematics and Transflo during the annual Geotab Connect conference. These gatherings bring together fleet industry leaders, tech experts, and users in a collaborative environment. “Events like Accelerate are absolutely worth it,” Stewart says. “You get hundreds of like-minded fleet professionals in one place, all sharing ideas and solutions. The amount of insight we gain in just a day or two is incredible.”
At Accelerate 2025, attendees engaged in discussions and demos of the latest in fleet management – from AI-driven dashboards to electric vehicle integration strategies. Stewart mentions that seeing new solutions firsthand is a major advantage: “It’s one thing to read about a new AI safety tool online; it’s another to see it live in action and talk to someone who’s using it in their fleet,” she notes. “Last time, I discovered a new route optimization add-on that we’re now piloting – and I heard about it just by chatting with another fleet manager over coffee.” The event isn’t all formal presentations. The casual networking and knowledge sharing are where a lot of the value happens. Stewart enjoys trading stories with peers and learning how other companies solve similar challenges. “We might all be in different industries – beverages, waste hauling, public works, you name it – but we face a lot of the same hurdles,” she observes. “By attending these events, we shortcut our learning curve. We come home with fresh ideas and even new partnerships that help us stay ahead.”
Ultimately, Coca-Cola United views participation in industry forums as a strategic investment. It keeps the company informed about emerging trends, like new AI algorithms or regulations on fleet safety, and connects them with solution providers beyond their existing circle. For anyone managing a large fleet, Stewart recommends getting out there and seeing what the industry has to offer: “You never know what you might discover – even one new insight can save you thousands or prevent an accident. Plus, it’s motivating to see how fast technology is evolving. It pushes us to keep innovating back home.”
Through the leadership of professionals like Tina Stewart, Coca-Cola United has shown how leveraging telematics and AI can dramatically improve fleet performance. Their story highlights a winning formula: use real-time data to drive safety and efficiency, empower your people with the right tools, and partner with experts who are invested in your success. The combination of in-cab AI monitoring, data-driven route optimizations, and a collaborative partnership with Assured Telematics has helped Coca-Cola United reduce risk, cut costs, and deliver better service across its territory. And by continuously seeking out new ideas – whether through technology partners or industry events like Accelerate – the company keeps raising the bar.
If you’re inspired by Coca-Cola United’s journey and want to explore how AI and telematics could elevate your fleet, we invite you to take action. By tapping into telematics and a customer-first support network, you can set your fleet on the path to greater safety, efficiency, and innovation – just like Coca-Cola United. Safe travels and happy optimizing!
“Assured Telematics has been more than just a vendor – they’re like an extension of our team. From day one, they took the time to understand our operational challenges and goals. It wasn’t a one-size-fits-all deployment.”
Tina Stewart
Supervisor of Safety Technologies at Coca-Cola Bottling Company United
