2023 Has Brought Advancements and New Trucking Trends

The Pace of Change Is Increasing

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Recent years have brought quite a few changes to the trucking industry. Not only have advancements in technology been getting attention, but various trends have also been influencing the operations of many trucking businesses. Some of these changes are positive, others not so much. For example, there’s been a stronger push for protecting the safety of drivers over profits; this is definitely a positive for the millions of truckers that operate in the US. At the same time, it’s feared that the development of driverless technology will put trucking jobs under threat. Sites like TruckDriverNews.com present a well-rounded perspective on various advancements and trends in the trucking industry, but mainstream sites often go for more sensational takes. Regardless, there’s no doubt that this industry is experiencing many changes, some good and some bad. These are some of the top advancements and trends that experts have identified in the trucking industry for 2023.

Electric trucks

Over the last few years, there’s been increasing pressure to switch from fossil fuels to electrical energy to power vehicles of all types. This has extended to the trucking industry, where the trend has started gaining traction. Although producing the components of electric vehicles isn’t environmentally friendly, advocates point to the fact that these trucks cut way down on emissions once they’re in use, and may even be cheaper to operate. Plus, their lower noise level makes them ideal for nighttime deliveries. Several major trucking companies have already added electric trucks to their fleets, meaning this trend is likely to continue.

Electronic logging devices

Maintaining accurate logs is an important part of trucking, since it’s essential for purposes like payroll, recording driving conditions, and quality control. Drivers record data like the hours/miles driven each day, which routes they took, time spent on breaks and causes for delays along the road. Previously, paper logs were the norm. They got the job done, but also required drivers to spend a lot of time on them. With electronic logging devices, much of the data is logged automatically, saving drivers time. The process is also less prone to human error.

Sustainability

Businesses in every industry are becoming more interested in sustainability, including trucking companies. As an industry that’s known for its exceptionally high levels of carbon emissions, it makes sense that it would try to shrink its carbon footprint to become more environmentally friendly. There are a few different ways to do this. For example, trucking companies may opt to use fuel-efficient or electric vehicles, start recycling programs or invest in renewable energy to offset emissions. Alternative fuels are another way to lower the industry’s carbon footprint; options like propane and hydrogen burn more cleanly and efficiently compared to diesel.

Advanced technology

In addition to electronic logs, other technologies have been implemented in delivery trucks around the U.S. These include:
● Telematics, which combine monitoring/tracking devices with GPS technology. This lets trucking companies manage and dispatch trucks more efficiently, monitor drivers’ behavior and track vehicle locations in real time.
● GPS systems, which help drivers find the best routes to their destinations. This lets them avoid traffic or unnecessary detours, and also allows trucking companies to better manage their fleets.

Autonomous vehicles

Some people hail self-driving trucks as the future of the trucking industry, while others say they signal the end of an era. While it’s true that autonomous vehicles have been used in limited scenarios to make deliveries, the reality is that they aren’t anywhere close to replacing truck drivers across the board–yet. Even so, many transportation companies are interested in the technology, since it could potentially lower operating costs. However, if autonomous vehicles are going to replace drivers, the technology still needs to advance. Currently there are self-driving trucks that can handle long-haul journeys over freeways, but the technology isn’t currently suitable for shorter trips in urban settings.

Rising fuel prices

As one of the industry’s biggest operating costs, fuel has an impact on profit margins–and the cost has been going up lately. This has increased shipping costs as a result, and put more pressure on trucking companies to save money wherever possible.

Driver Training

Providing a Quality Sleep Environment

While more short-distance, single-day trucking services will not typically need to provide their drivers with a vehicle equipped with a sleep-cab, a large portion of the trucking industry heavily relies on these little sleeping sanctuaries. Now, issues start to arise if truckers are not able to get ample or quality sleep in their semi-cab, especially on long trips and hauling heavy loads. Fatigue continues to be a leading factor when it comes to driver-caused accidents. For this reason, it is paramount to provide your drivers with everything they need to create a sleeping environment that provides both the comfort they need, as well as the privacy and quiet that would allow them to get the amount of sleep they need. 

There are countless different systems and products you can put in place when it comes to creating a sufficient sleeping environment for your drivers. If the cab has a window, something as simple as a blackout curtain to block sunlight can make a huge impact on the driver’s quality of sleep, as many elect to sleep during the bright hours of the day and drive at night. The truck mattress that your driver sleeps on can be another huge factor working against their quality of sleep. It goes without saying that an uncomfortable mattress will only lead to poor sleep, so a simple upgrade in the bed department could be the difference between a driver staying safe or falling asleep at the wheel. There are far more things that can be done to aid drivers that we won’t dive into here, but that I have listed below:

-Quality Bedding
-Noise dampening materials
-Dehumidifier/Air purifier 
-Ear plugs or white noise machines

Obviously, not every driver benefits from every single thing we mention here, but a large majority would likely get a much better night’s sleep if even one of these upgrades were implemented by the management team.”

Driver safety

Statistically speaking, being a trucker is a fairly dangerous job. Unfortunately, trucking companies typically prioritize efficiency and speed above driver safety However, there have been increasing calls to turn this trend around. Some companies are putting a stronger focus on raising safety standards and investing in technology that will help keep drivers safer. This trend is likely to continue for as long as there’s pressure to improve the industry’s safety record.

Shift in locations

Many of the country’s biggest trucking companies have operated from the same locations for decades. However, changing business environments have required some of them to consider relocating. This could potentially save them money over the long term, and give them access to bigger talent pools.

Driver shortages

According to some estimates, there’s a shortage of as many as 80,000 truck drivers in the US. This is caused by a number of factors, including:
● Increased regulations
● An aging workforce
● Unfair working conditions
● Low rates of pay
To combat this, some trucking companies are offering perks like more flexible hours, comfortable vehicles, and competitive salaries. This works for individual businesses, but only time will tell if shortages improve across the industry.

Ecommerce influence

Ecommerce has transformed the trucking industry thanks to the popularity of online shopping, together with shorter shipping times that ecommerce services promise to customers. This has led to more products that are shipped directly from manufacturers to consumers, rather than from manufacturers to retailers. Rather than delivering fewer large shipments, trucking companies are delivering increasing numbers of smaller shipments. Not only have many companies had to invest in more small trucks, but they also deal with the pressure to deliver packages even more quickly than before.

The takeaway

This year, 2023 has already proven to be a challenging year for the trucking industry, but there have also been encouraging advancements in technology. It’s hard to tell how some of this year’s challenges will pan out, but things seem to be headed in a good direction.