Trucking technology continues to change the trucking industry in a number of ways. In this article, we list some of the benefits and drawbacks that technology has brought to the sector:
Driver Monitoring
Driver progress, vehicle progress, distance routes, and a number of other things can be monitored remotely thanks to driver monitoring technology. These tools are helping motor carriers make improvements to their operations.
Communications
Internal communications networks have improved vastly over the years. Everyone involved in the transport of freight can communicate with each other in real time.
Traffic Co-Ordination
Real-time traffic reports are helping companies to coordinate and improve driving patterns.
Staffing and Recruiting
Online transportation jobs can now be accessed by drivers and truckers in real-time, which has disrupted the recruiting and staffing market.
Safety Technology
Safety trucking technology; such as rearview cameras, blind spot warning devices, and anti-lock braking; has resulted in fewer accidents and fatalities. It has improved the profitability and efficiency of the industry. Here are some of the top safety technologies that you should know about:
Stability Control
While this technology isn’t specified by the majority of trucking companies, it has the ability to save a lot of money due to a reduction in driveline maintenance and crash prevention. The sensors measure the steering input as well as the side-to-side rotation of the truck.
Anti-Lock Braking Systems
These systems stop wheels from locking to prevent uncontrolled skidding during hard braking.
Collision Avoidance Systems
This system reduces the severity of a collision by using radar and camera image recognition to detect a collision before it occurs.
Lane Departure Warning
Lane departure warning technology is a mechanism that warns the truck driver if the truck starts to move out of its lane. Many of the causes of a collision, such as distractions and driver error, can be eliminated with this technology.
Interior Cameras
Cameras within a truck can help companies to train and retrain truck drivers and it can also improve safety.
Rearview Cameras
Also known as backup cameras, this video camera can help drivers when reversing and alleviate the rear blind spot.
Blind Spot Warning Devices
These devices are typically added to the mirrors on a truck and it can help alleviate blind spots and avoid accidents, which is a major problem in the industry.
Side Monitor Cameras and Sensors
Side monitor cameras and sensors are replacing a number of side view mirrors in the industry. The images from the cameras are displayed in real time within the truck.
Telematics and Fleet Management
The number of features and functionalities that GPS fleet management systems have, has evolved tremendously over the past few years. This type of trucking technology is used to optimize driver routes, track information related to fuel tax reporting, and improve the use of vehicles within a fleet.
The Internet of Things (IoT)
Within the trucking sector, the IoT enables the monitoring of vibration, temperature, and a number of elements that affect the conditions of the route that the driver will travel. IoT is also used to track deliveries across roads, rail, and maritime remotely.
Driverless Vehicles and Drones
Drones are already being used by companies like Amazon, but driverless vehicles are an advancement that may affect the trucking and transportation sectors in major ways in the future. Companies are still testing driverless cars. Under current USA legislation, a driver still needs to be inside a truck, even if the truck is driving autonomously.
Cloud-Based Computing and Business Analytics
Cloud-Based Computing and Business Analytics have enabled companies to harness the value of the vast amounts of data that can be tracked. Business analytics software can not only help trucking companies improve the efficiencies within their fleets, but it can also help to avoid issues before they become big problems.
GPS fleet tracking systems
Integrating mobile devices and computers with GPS technology has helped many trucking companies improve on their efficiency and productivity, reduce the unauthorized use of vehicles, as well as reduced a number of costs (including labor and fuel) related to their business. Fleet managers now have the ability to access real-time information about the status and movement of all their vehicles.
Self-Driving Trucks and Platooning Technology
Some companies are already testing self-driving trucks and semi-autonomous vehicles. With platooning technology, a number of trucks will be managed by a remote driving support system, which could potentially alleviate the driver shortage that the industry currently faces.
Growth of E-Commerce
E-commerce continues to boom, and this has put a lot of companies under pressure to ensure their delivery channels are efficient. The way deliveries are packaged, tracked, and transported is a crucial part of the supply chain. This has led to a variety of digital tools to assist with the process.
Automation in The Trucking Sector
In the past, the picking and packing process in a warehouse used to be handled manually. Automating this process has helped businesses get their products to customers much faster.
Apps
E-commerce based companies and tracking companies are developing their own applications that help customers track their parcels. This has helped minimize the possibility of parcels going missing and it also improves customer service.
Automatic Transmissions
Many drivers struggle with complex manual transmission handling on large vehicles. Gearboxes that shift themselves automatically in the top two gears have been developed to combat this issue.
Trucking and GPS
While a GPS can help a truck driver to quickly determine their route, extra information is often needed by a truck driver, such as whether they are allowed to pass through a specific area in a town or whether they need to take an alternative road. Drivers still need to check the path that the GPS has suggested to an Atlas so as to ensure that they do adhere to the state regulations.
How Smartphones Impact Truck Drivers
Smart-phones have made it easier to communicate and optimize the truck drivers’ routes. But one of the challenges that many drivers still face is avoiding the temptation to browse the internet or talk to friends while they drive.
Trucking, Tablets & Laptop Computers
Like smartphones, tablets and computers pose a similar safety risk to truck drivers. If they are tempted to play games or watch videos on their tablet, then they could be distracted from the road.
When trucking companies are able to find available truck loads with speed and ease, they are better able to cover high fuel costs, insurance bills, and driver salaries. We have thousands of freight loads listed every day on our free load board. Sign up and register for your free account today!