If you had told someone a decade ago that we would soon have self-driving trucks, they probably would have laughed at your face. Fast-forward ten years, none of these things seem too surprising or imprudent. This is because trailer business technology has advanced rapidly within the last decade and it is still doing so without any compromise in pace.
Trucking is an old profession in need of new technologies and tools to revolutionize it. In this blog, we will discuss 5 such technology solutions which can help streamline your trucking and logistics business significantly.
Dynamic Routing
Despite meticulous planning of optimized routes, truckers can still face delays due to extreme weather conditions or traffic jams resulting in late deliveries. Dynamic routing technology provides real-time weather and traffic updates. This ensures that your route is optimized for delivery by saving time and reducing mileage. Moreover, it also gives you and your customers an estimated delivery time thus improving customer satisfaction rates.
GPS for Trailer Tracking
The rapid growth of your business can have adverse effects on effective fleet management. Issues like theft and accidents can arise resulting in poor business efficiency. GPS trackers are a cost-effective solution that can help improve logistics. For instance, these trackers can point out areas with high theft rates and help locate a stolen trailer. Moreover, you can use historical tracking data for analysis revealing useful information for making strategic business decisions.
Truck Platooning
Truck platooning refers to an end-to-end convoy of trucks with a single point of control. The lead truck uses wireless signals to control acceleration and braking automatically. Platooning enables a single driver to control a collection of 2 or more trailers. The lead driver is responsible for route optimization and planning while the rest steer accordingly without much effort. Once widespread, truck platooning is set to revolutionize trailer business optimization reducing labor costs.
Some Generalized Technologies
Internet of Things (IoT)
It is important to realize that it is all connected to IoT and telematics. Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a collection of stand-alone devices that can effectively communicate with each other. A large part of the trailer business technology employs the use of IoT. For instance, dash cams that display real-time information about the trailer’s external environment, sensors installed in the truck that monitor everything from tire pressure to load stability, and even some previously discussed technologies like the truck platooning system. Incorporation or IoT in trucking can help with extended automation and reduce labor costs.
Big Data and Analytics
Big data and efficient delivery go hand-in-hand. In logistics, good quality data is synonymous to gold. Using AI and Machine Learning, companies can convert raw data into actionable insights allowing them to forecast accurate shipping columns and optimize logistics. One practical example would load-to-capacity matching. Being provided with the information related to route, destination, and capacity, carriers can use load matching in logistics to plan efficient routes and ensure optimum use of load capacity.
The Role of Humans
Despite the rapid rise in technology, humans still have an important role to play. As mentioned earlier, trucking is an old profession and for decades, humans have ensured the arrival and safety of goods but with AI to support them, they can benefit from better planning and communication. Thus, it is essential for us to work with AI rather than against it.
To recap, the rise of technological tools in the trucking business have made waves in the market. Technologies like truck platooning, autonomous vehicles and IoT have gained increased traction over the past years. It would be judicious to say that those who are not benefiting from this advancement in trailer business technology are deliberately putting themselves at a loss.
