During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant realization emerged worldwide: commercial freight carriers play a vital role in sustaining the global economy. Digital shift in carrier safety is only possible when an equilibrium is maintained between cutting-edge technology and unwavering financial security.
When freight fails to move efficiently, it leads to product shortages and steep price increases. These carriers are under immense pressure to ensure the continuous movement of goods, regardless of the challenges they may encounter.
This poses a significant challenge for fleets, as they must find a delicate equilibrium between carrier safety, efficiency, and speed in all their operations. Striking this balance proves to be a difficult task for many.
In the year 2022, large trucks and buses encountered 180,949 accidents on roads across the United States. While this number may seem high, it is relatively consistent with the average figures observed in recent years.
Thankfully, the commercial carrier industry is currently benefiting from a range of innovative technologies that are spearheading its digital transformation.
These advancements empower fleets to enhance safety measures while still maintaining speed and efficiency. Let us take a closer look at the key technologies driving this shift and how they are influencing carrier safety practices within the trucking industry.
In the commercial carrier industry, one of the most significant technological advancements is the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT). This encompasses a variety of internet-connected sensors and devices that enable real-time functionalities.
For trucking companies, IoT devices play a crucial role in providing almost complete situational awareness of their entire route network. As of the end of 2021, approximately 42% of North American fleets had embraced IoT technology.
One of the primary benefits of IoT is its ability to offer carriers real-time location data for all their freight assets. Moreover, it can provide environmental data to help safeguard delicate or sensitive cargo on trucks. However, the impact of IoT on safety is even more noteworthy.
By incorporating IoT technology into their fleet vehicles, freight companies can continuously monitor operator safety. These devices alert managers to any unsafe behaviors exhibited by drivers, such as harsh braking, speeding, or aggressive driving.
This enables managers to intervene and correct such actions before they result in accidents. Additionally, it allows them to implement incentive systems that encourage safe practices among operators.
Such safety measures not only help carriers maintain low insurance costs but also protect the funds allocated for essential freight surety bonds. As these are among the major cost drivers in the commercial freight and freight forwarding industry, the impact of IoT in minimizing risks is significant.
In this way, IoT plays a crucial role in helping carriers reduce costs and mitigate potential hazards associated with their operations.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology in the commercial carrier industry, especially when applied to predictive maintenance. Ensuring that freight vehicles remain operational for as long as possible is crucial for optimizing supply chain efficiency.
Likewise, maximizing the utilization of each vehicle is a fundamental goal for every freight company. The integration of AI-powered predictive maintenance, in conjunction with data from IoT devices, proves instrumental in achieving these objectives.
Predictive maintenance allows freight companies to move away from rigid milestone-based maintenance schedules, where trucks are taken off the road at specific intervals regardless of their actual needs. Instead, with the aid of sensor arrays, individualized maintenance plans can be created by monitoring for signs of mechanical issues.
For instance, one truck might require an oil change sooner than another based on the loads it carries and the routes it traverses. Similarly, a truck operating in stop-and-go traffic might need new brake pads faster than a vehicle on a long-haul route. This approach keeps trucks on the road for more significant periods while also preempting potential breakdowns.
The safety implications are substantial as well. Equipment failure accounts for an estimated 10% of all truck-involved road accidents in the United States. By detecting signs of trouble before they lead to hazards on the road, predictive maintenance significantly improves overall fleet safety.
The completion of the digital transformation journey in the commercial carrier industry is marked by the widespread implementation of transportation management systems. These systems encompass software or platforms that seamlessly integrate data from all aspects of fleet operations, offering a comprehensive and coherent overview of the entire process.
Acting as a critical interface, they enable fleet managers and business owners to interpret data from IoT devices and AI tools effectively.
One of the key benefits of fleet management systems is their ability to facilitate the creation and enforcement of sensible schedules, preventing operator burnout. This aspect holds significant importance for two primary reasons.
Firstly, freight carriers bear regulatory responsibilities concerning driver work hours, necessitating appropriate breaks and rest periods within their schedules.
Secondly, driver fatigue contributes to an estimated 30% to 40% of all truck accidents annually. Hence, ensuring drivers are well rested and prepared to drive safely not only upholds safety standards but also safeguards the company's financial well-being. Thus, the adoption of fleet management systems proves advantageous for carrier safety, addressing one of the major causes of on-the-road accidents.
The integration of the three aforementioned technologies is reshaping the landscape of the commercial carrier industry. By leveraging these innovations, companies can continuously enhance operational efficiency, reduce expenses, and most importantly, elevate safety standards in multiple ways.
These transformative changes are imperative for businesses within the industry to stay competitive in a highly demanding field.
The impact of these technological advancements extends beyond the industry itself, as the global economy heavily relies on the seamless movement of goods facilitated by commercial carriers. With the ability to keep goods moving efficiently across the world, these technological advancements benefit not only industry stakeholders but also have far-reaching positive outcomes for various sectors worldwide.
Through IoT and real-time vehicle telemetry, carriers gain unprecedented situational awareness, enabling them to optimize route planning and protect fragile cargo, thus enhancing safety. Simultaneously, AI-driven predictive maintenance helps avoid equipment failures, ensuring vehicles are well maintained, and reducing the risk of accidents caused by mechanical issues.
Furthermore, the adoption of transportation and fleet management systems streamlines operations, prevents driver burnout, and addresses regulatory responsibilities concerning driver work hours. By keeping drivers well rested and alert, these systems play a crucial role in mitigating accidents caused by driver fatigue, significantly contributing to overall road safety.
In conclusion, the advancements in technology are propelling the commercial carrier industry towards safer and more efficient fleets. These changes are vital for maintaining competitiveness and meeting the global demand for uninterrupted movement of goods.
The positive impact is felt not only within the industry but also extends to the broader global economy, benefiting businesses and individuals worldwide.
Sara Naveed is a creative and digital content writer who uses her creative skills to develop and edit professional web content. Being a writer has always been her dream. She earnestly hopes people appreciate her writing—an asset she deeply covets. Using her 8+ years of working experience, she writes for trucking industry experts who are always looking for better technological solutions to their problems.
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