Technology has changed the way people manage their businesses. The rate at which the world has gone digital is mind-blowing. Nevertheless, technology has improved the way of life for many people, directly or indirectly.
Even though technology and change have touched each industry differently, innovation generally improves any industry. The trucking industry is no exception. Due to its role in delivering various goods, the trucking industry is crucial. Every essential item must go from point A to point B, including food, clothing, equipment, and other supplies.
Fortunately, most firms in the logistics and transport sectors have improved their operational efficiency due to advancements in transportation technology. Modern trucking technology has streamlined most supply chains in the transportation sector. In light of that, here are some cutting-edge innovations to watch out for in the trucking sector.
- Collision Mitigation Technology
On the road, collisions are relatively common. An accident’s severity can vary. However, avoiding a collision is far better than coping with the consequences of a collision. Many factors might lead to a truck collision, making up a portion of all collisions on the road. But it’s best to take precautionary measures and prevent it, if possible.
Furthermore, because trucks are more prominent and carry heavier loads, collisions at relatively lower speeds can cause catastrophic car damage and injury to the drivers. Some of these trucks load materials, such as gasoline tanks or propane cylinders, which are extremely hazardous. Collisions with such loads could be even more dangerous. Therefore, preventing truck collisions is crucial. Â
Collision technology has a significant impact on reducing truck accidents. These cutting-edge systems keep an eye out for crashes before they happen and then use several strategies to stop them. Collision mitigation systems are getting better at eliminating the possibility of any false positives as these technologies improve. As a result, many transportation companies are implementing this technology throughout their fleets.
- Aerodynamic Technology
In fleet management, fuel costs probably account for most of the expenses that go into managing the fleet. Plus, with the sharp increase in fuel prices, your expenses will worsen over time. So, every dollar saved can go a long way, especially for those who own large fleets. This is where aerodynamic technology can help. Improvements in aerodynamic efficiency can drastically improve the fuel efficiency of your truck. The more aerodynamic your truck is, the more you save on fuel.Â
- Trailer Tracking
The rationale for using trailer tracking is to protect both the trailer and the loads it transports. You may track your trailer’s usage by installing a tracker on it. However, it can also assist you in monitoring its movements, particularly when it’s in high-risk zones or carrying precious cargo.
Typically, the only GPS trackers that fleets have are for their tractors. However, it’s also possible for the trailer to be stolen. Therefore, spending money on trailer tracking makes sense. Advanced trailer tracking systems rely on more than just GPS sensors; they are also linked to or can be integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT), allowing them to collect data and analytics that are fed into your fleet management system. This system will track and process all the data, and you can use that data to compute various metrics like dwell time and utilization. These sophisticated trailer tracking systems can also assist you in keeping track of trailer maintenance. As soon as repairs are made, you can update the trailer’s maintenance records.
- Temperature Monitoring
This technology is most relevant for shippers or truckers transporting human and animal foods. Those who transport refrigerated commodities such as meat and fish are a good example. Usually, best practices instruct transporters on how such products should be handled and carried out to prevent contamination. So, you don’t want to deliver contaminated items as the transporter because you will be penalized for it. As a result, truckers are quickly embracing this technology to ensure that they transport commodities at appropriate temperatures.
You may integrate temperature monitoring technology with your fleet management system. The information it sends to the fleet management system allows you to keep a close eye on the temperature of your load. If there’s an anomaly, you can quickly address the issue with the driver because some products are very temperature sensitive. Early detection of a problem could preserve your load. Furthermore, if your driver is stopped over and asked to provide temperature information, they will have access to this information promptly.
Furthermore, some suppliers are now looking for trucks with this kind of technology because it gives greater assurance that you will handle goods correctly. The transporter or shipper needs to prove that they comply with the rules that determine the ideal temperature conditions for the products their truck will haul. In fact, in some areas, this kind of technology is becoming a mandatory requirement for these transporters.
- Self-Driving Trucks
The globe has witnessed significant advancements in transportation over the last several years. The world appears to be moving toward an electric-only future as the use of electric vehicles has significantly expanded. However, it has also become possible for automotive businesses to imagine and create driverless automobiles and trucks thanks to the rise of the IoT. Even though some of these autonomous driving technologies are currently in some current car models, they aren’t entirely autonomous. Therefore, there is still considerable progress to be made to create fully autonomous vehicles.
It’s crucial to point out that most of these technologies are still in the early stages of development. However, they will continue to improve with time. They will have a market since they will reduce significantly lower truckers’ labor costs. Additionally, other proponents of this technology favor it because it will cut down on the costs associated with human error. Therefore, driverless vehicles are a promising technology to monitor in the future.
- Hybrid And Electric Trucks
While the development of self-driving trucks is still in the works, hybrid trucks are now on the market. Instead of using only diesel power, these vehicles also use electricity, which is more efficient. Hybrid trucks are more fuel-efficient and have lower emissions.
Truckers are gradually switching their fleets to hybrid vehicles because of the many rules regarding emissions, particularly in regions like Europe. Additionally, some variants are entirely electric, eliminating the need for gas. In terms of emissions, this is beneficial to the environment. Furthermore, switching to these more environmentally friendly options makes sense, given the rising cost of petroleum—all the more reason to turn away from diesel-powered engines.
- Dynamic Routing
Everyone despises traffic. However, traffic can be a significant setback for most truckers because it can delay delivery schedules. There is no time to waste, especially if they must fulfill a deadline. Therefore, the primary aim for any trucker is always to take the shortest routes. However, the shortest routes aren’t always the fastest when traffic is considered. Therefore, you need a clever system to help you reach your destination quickly.
Dynamic routing technology is not the same as your standard GPS tracker on your phone. This software predicts the quickest route a vehicle can take and refresh these routes regularly based on real-time traffic data. So, if you own a fleet of trucks, you need to consider using this software.
- Big Data And Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Big data is fundamental in the transportation and supply chain management industry. Data analytics makes modern supply chains work. Another technology that’s closely linked to big data is artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies usually work together to optimize supply chains and other business processes. AI is also flexible enough to be integrated with different organizational systems or software for better optimization. Every business may deploy or use its technology differently, so flexibility is needed.
Most businesses are already tech-driven and rely on data analytics to optimize and improve their business processes. In the trucking industry, for example, automation technology has taken a lot of leaps forward, and many fleet managers use some supply chain or fleet management system to manage their assets. These systems collect bouts of data, which then can be used in making the right decisions to propel those businesses forward.
Companies are using technology to streamline their business processes along the logistics supply chain. Data is extremely valuable to all supply chain partners because it promotes efficiency. As technologies become more efficient, managers can make more accurate business decisions. Furthermore, the world is changing, and competition has intensified. Therefore, how businesses gather, analyze, and use data to make wise decisions distinguishes them. Making decisions is necessary for logistics management, and good managers make data-backed decisions. You shouldn’t simply go with your gut instinct when accurate metrics are available.
Conclusion
Technology will significantly influence the future of logistics. The trucking business, in particular, is critical in many ways, and technological innovation will continue in that sector. The purpose of these technologies is to assist truckers in managing their fleets more effectively. So, keep an eye out for the technologies in the trucking industry discussed above in the future. These are particularly critical for truck or fleet owners.
