FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) is helping local authorities to meet its air quality targets, and the development of Clean Air Zones and Low Emission Zones in cities, to make road transport as efficient as possible.

FORS accreditation is now included in many local authority service contracts, allowing councils guidelines to follow for the commercial vehicles it hires to operate on its behalf.

FORS business services manager, Paul Wilkes, said: “Ensuring a fleet is in peak condition is vital for an environmentally sound operation.

“Local authorities have a duty of care to ensure operators working on their behalf do so in an environmentally efficient and safe manner.

“The FORS Fleet Management System (FORS-FMS), can be used to track fuel purchases, tyre tread and depth information and mileage figures.

“This data is then used to ensure fleets have an accurate service, maintenance and repair schedule in place to fix faults early, keep costs down and make sure vehicles are running as efficiently as possible.”

FORS will continue to educate commercial vehicle drivers, allowing for reduced vehicle emissions, with its driver training, which includes the FORS LoCity Driving course, that allows HGV and van drivers to learn about idling, urban pollution and congestion.

Tyre management is another aspect to reducing emissions that is on FORS’ agenda. It wants to teach drivers that under-inflated tyres can increase emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Fuel management is another element its teaching local authorities, and its drivers, to consider when reducing emissions.

By improving a vehicle’s average miles-per-gallon can bring savings of £2,200 per year, with more than 300 FORS Gold members achieving an average of 14% of savings year on year.

Wilkes concluded: “Local authorities can work with FORS in a variety of ways.

“FORS can be written into planning consent arrangements and construction logistic plans, specifying that suppliers operating delivery and servicing or passenger carrying vehicles must meet the FORS Standard.

“Local authorities who run or manage their own fleets can become FORS members themselves, ensuring all drivers and commercial vehicles in their fleet operate safely and efficiently – from minibuses and coaches to refuse trucks and vans.”

FORS was established in 2008, and now has 5,000 members, and continues to be open to both UK and non-UK fleet operators.