The Technology & Maintenance Council’s S.16 Service Provider study group has created a task force to begin developing on a recommended practice for service providers who provide mobile maintenance, the organization announced Monday at its fall meeting in Raleigh.
The task force will be chaired by Jerry Bodkins of TravelCenters of America.
According to Bodkins, the decision to address mobile maintenance came from an open conversation in S.16 during the previous TMC meeting in Nashville in the spring. Bodkins suggested a recommended practice for mobile service because of the unique nature of the work, and the risks associated for technicians when performing roadside repairs.
Monday’s discussion on the topic seemed to split the mobile maintenance conversation into two categories: roadside repairs and on-site maintenance.
Attendees in Monday’s task force meeting suggested the to-be-developed RP include procedures for both types of service, as the roadside aspect requires detailed instructions for technicians due to the environment. Bodkins agreed, and the task force will proceed as such. Additionally, the task force also hopes to build a guideline for mobile technicians to communicate their progress and parts needs to their facilities.
Ultimately the task force members believe there are enough similarities between the two types of service that one RP should still be sufficient. If future development of the RP creates confusion or becomes cumbersome, S.16 will consider splitting mobile service and roadside repair into separate recommended practices, the group says.
