Optimizing Fleet Utilization for Employee-Centric and Sustainable Transportation: A Case Study at Stavanger University Hospital.

Abstract

This thesis aims to explore the scope of optimizing fleet utilization at Stavanger University Hospital (SUS) to make its transportation employee-centric and sustainable. To carry out this objective, we employed a mixed-method approach, which integrates quantitative and qualitative methods. Data for the study was collected by accessing the fleet tracking system, conducting surveys and interviews, and reviewing existing literature. Key findings reveal a suboptimal efficiency rate, high idle time, underutilized cars, and a decreasing car usage trend in the SUS fleet. As for evaluating a profitable car-sharing system, the findings show that the existing car-sharing system is best suited for SUS’s needs and that employee satisfaction is high for it, particularly among specific demographics. However, findings also reveal that accessibility, vehicle quality, and user-friendly systems can influence employee satisfaction. Upon considering EVs’ efficiency rate, employees’ concerns, and evidence from the literature, the study observed that integrating more electric vehicles (EVs) into SUS’s feet could enhance sustainability. Finally, the study broadly recommends that SUS remove 24 underutilized cars, not initiate a significant investment in a completely new car-sharing system, cautiously review any modification initiatives, focus on related factors such as easy accessibility and quality of cars, and increase the number of EVs in the fleet to enhance sustainability and reduce operational costs. Therefore, this study will contribute to logistics and transportation in an organization that aims to enhance fleet efficiency, ensure employee-centric transportation, and create a sustainable future.