Industry Insights from Vertrax

The trucking industry is currently in a technology transition that includes autonomous vehicles. First, we saw the smartphone apps that helped truckers locate truck stops and trucker parking. Then came the FAST Act in 2015 that required all commercial truck drivers to use electronic logging systems by December 18, 2017. There is also truck tracking technology and in-cab dash cam systems that are used to reduce crime and improve safety.

As leaders in the trucking industry, we’re plugged into any signs of coming trends and changes in logistics and transportation. Knowing what’s ahead gives you the ability to proactively handle how these trends will relate to your trucking business. The trucking industry is constantly evolving, but this is happening even more rapidly with the onset of trucking technology. Here are a few of the trends in trucking technologies that are going to affect your trucking business in some way this 2018.

When you are in the crude oil and bulk commodity industry, your focus is on precision. Your logistics team must be precise in their deliveries and communications. Everything is based on timing, so any slack in the system can cost your business big bucks. This is where mobile logistics software lends a helping hand. By using a well developed system by a logistics tech provider you can ensure precision at every step of the way for your business. Curious of how this type of system would work? Here is a step-by-step approach to how you can transfer your existing system into one that is digitized, automatized, and all around more efficient.

When it comes to increasing your bottom line in the trucking industry, miles and minutes count for the majority of your budget. The quicker you can get a shipment delivered, the better. This includes getting your invoices and bills of laden to your customers in expedience. For the fuel and gas transport industry, technology offers a wealth of opportunities for money saving methods. For starters, paperless invoices shave days off how quick you can get a return on your payments for services rendered.

Trucking companies across the industry are finally coming to terms with mobile trucking technology. Take JB Hunt Transport Services, a major player in supply chain solutions and trucking. In April 2017 the company announced it was investing $500 million in technology over the next five years. Everything from cloud infrastructure to AI (artificial intelligence) technologies are moving front and center for trucking firms. 

Every mile you put on your fleet costs your business money. This starts with your fuel usage. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) reported in 2014 that fuel costs “generally account for approximately 30 to 40 percent of a motor carrier’s CPM (cost per mile).” Then you also have to deal with increased wear and tear on a fleet. The more mileage a fleet gets, the more likely you will have to make repairs. Your warranty will also run out more quickly, which will leave you fitting the bill on those repairs all too soon. So how can you cut down the amount of unnecessary miles on your fleet? Here are some industry approved solutions.

One of the most volatile relationships in the propane and fuel oil transport business is between drivers and dispatchers. It takes both sides to ship freight on schedule, yet there continues to be a disconnect between these teams. In order to close the communications loop between your drivers and dispatchers consider implementing the right technologies and strategies. Here are a few top contenders to help you deter any communication slips in your company. 

In the trucking industry paper log books are going, going, gone by December 2017. The Electronic Logging Mandate set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that all commercial truck drivers will use electronic logging devices in place of paper logs. To comply with this ruling, and to prepare your business for the future of trucking, check out the benefits of updating your trucking fleet now to meet these tech needs.

Dispatchers are the behind-the-scenes heroes of the trucking industry. Yet these individuals get the most grief from drivers and customers alike when deliveries are not made on time. While most obstacles of deliveries, such as bad weather or road construction, are often out of the dispatcher’s control, it remains the dispatcher’s role to make the delivery happen as requested no matter what their drivers face. Enter the possibilities of real-time technology. Managing a trucking fleet with flexible, real-time technology optimizes your dispatch team’s ability to get freight delivered on time, every time. Consider the benefits of real-time technology for your dispatch team on a day-to-day basis, as well as for overall improvements to your trucking logistics.

Tired of struggling with overbooked drivers and miscalculated routes? Want to find a way to track your fleet data to search for cost savings solutions? These are commonplace issues effecting every trucking company no matter how big or small. Fortunately, through years of trial and error, along with ample research, the logistics industry has come up with several viable solutions for improving load management. Implement the following steps into your fleet management system to boost efficiency and save both time and money.