Technologies That Could Transform the Trucking Industry
Trucking is a billion-dollar industry that plays an important role in America’s economy. However, the industry has been in deep waters since the pandemic started in 2020. According to the American Trucking Association, the trucking industry has been experiencing driver shortages and labor retention. Previously, trucking companies employed strategies to bounce back into recovery, such as increasing freight capability. Today, they are looking at various technologies to transform existing processes.
For one, fully-autonomous trucks can potentially change trucking utilization and cost structure. Autonomous trucking will be more affordable due to reduced labor, higher productivity, increased fuel efficiency, and fewer accidents. It can also alleviate the problem of truck driver shortages while reducing transportation time. Typically, truck drivers take regular breaks while on the road. However, autonomous vehicles can run 24 hours a day.
Platooning is a subset of autonomous vehicle technology that can also solve driver shortages. Platooning is the process of syncing multiple trucks into a convoy using connective technology and automated driving systems. Each truck is equipped with the technology to communicate with each other and follow closely behind other trucks. As a result, trucks travel extremely close together, usually with the lead truck dictating the speed of the entire convoy. If the truck in the front has to slow down, it automatically sends a signal to the rest to brake.
Ideally, the reaction time of the autonomous system is five times faster than human truck drivers. As a result, trucking companies will also consume less fuel and generate fewer emissions. The trucks in convoy can fight off wind resistance and avoid traffic congestion. Its safety feature can also create a predictable line of trucks.
To prevent dangers on the road, several trucking companies are looking into collision avoidance software that uses systems such as radars, sensors, and videos to monitor risks in real time. This software is equipped with live obstacle detection that collects and uses data to alert truck drivers of potential hazards and accidents. To mitigate imminent risks, some systems are capable of overriding the driver, applying breaks, and changing the throttle of the vehicle.
Dynamic routing is another innovation that has increased accuracy and efficiency in routing operations. Also known as adaptive routing, dynamic routing deal with routes updated automatically using complex algorithms. It allows routers to choose paths based on real-time data about the current status of the network. For instance, if one section of the network fails or approaches traffic, a dispatcher can send an instant notification to the truck driver and suggest new routes.
A Global Positioning System (GPS) is an effective loss prevention strategy. Besides collecting, storing, and analyzing electronic data regarding goods, GPS is also useful for protecting cargo and curbing theft. With cargo movement data derived from GPS trackers, fleet managers can build predictive models to determine when and where the cargo goes missing frequently. If they know where the cargo goes, they can also allocate more security resources.
A technology that has proven successful when integrated into various sectors is the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT is capable of improving location tracking, fleet management, and environment sensing. Through a network of devices communicating and sharing data in real-time, the sensors mounted in the trucks can monitor tire pressure and load stability. IoT can generate more data to help trucking companies manage the supply chain and minimize human intervention with platooning technology.
