How Technology Can Help Trucking Companies Become More Efficient and Reduce Waste

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

The trucking industry is invariably in the spotlight because of how closely it is associated with the overall supply chain logistics. By 2024, the trucking industry will reach a market value of USD 700 billion, growing at a CAGR of nearly 5%. 

 

At the same time, it’s noteworthy that the world is moving towards a more sustainable side of the spectrum. An interesting analysis shows how road freight produced over 2.4 Gt carbon emissions in the year 2018 alone. Of course, the future is amazingly bright for the trucking industry, but the green concern is going to be a significant factor in the developments to come.

 

Almost every other industry is taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint, supporting sustainability and reducing waste. Technology can step up the game manifolds, providing a good thrust to the green movement. It is estimated that the green technology and sustainability market will grow at a CAGR of over 20% to reach USD 51.09 billion by 2029. Seeing the trajectory, it is only wise for the trucking industry to join the platoon.

 

So, how can technology transform the trucking industry to become more efficient in the coming years? Let’s take a look.



Telematics

Telematics is here to stay and for good. It’s no more about just checking the driving behavior; telematics technology is upping the whole game. With an amalgamation of data gathered from sensors, GPS, etc., the freight owners can now plan their routes better and have a robust internal communication channel. In harsh weather, such intervention can help navigate the truckers to re-route. With the right set of directions, fleet managers can save on accidents and fuel consumption — thus, promoting a sustainable drive every time the truck hits the road.

Asset Tracking

Asset tracking is the major technology trend that can help the trucking industry move forward in line with sustainability claims. Asset maintenance is a major undertaking for every freight owner or manager.

 

Sudden breakouts and damages can happen to any freight, and it can lead to delayed delivery. This can be fixed with technology that helps in finding these issues in the system before it becomes too hard to handle. Such systems alert the managers or owners about a probable flaw, saving up on any future damages that might have occurred. 

 

And how exactly does this happen? Checking on the previous information of the fleet can help the owners to register the probable issue in the freight. Early reports can help avoid many problems like freight using more fuel or operating haphazardly. This kind of information can be ideal for quick resolutions and saving up on probable waste.

Strategy as a Service

When it comes to trucking, a mix of both software and hardware technology is needed. Good hardware can be installed in the truck, and it can be backed up with the right tracking tools for the operations team. This is an ideal combination to avoid accidents, have a better delivery system, and advance route planning to reduce waste. 

 

On top of this, strategies such as planning the trip in a way so that the truck never returns empty can be the real game changer. Efficient tracking can lead to return trip planning for long or short haul truckers. This can be done by real-time tracking of the trucks to coordinate with nearby truckers and by planning a non-empty return to the station. It can save up on a lot of aspects, leading to reduced waste and increased profits. 

 

Here, another important aspect to note is the packaging material. As per the figures released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, containers and packaging resulted in 82 tonnes of waste back in 2018. And as e-commerce is growing, these numbers have the potential to shoot up exponentially. The solution to this can be circular packaging. This concept is the talk of the town, where recycled and biodegradable material is re-used for packaging purposes. Thus, switching to circular packaging can become a great way to reduce waste.

Safety Gear and Trackers

Trucking entails an excellent attention span and an eye on the road. Therefore, fleets should be decked up with cloud dashcams and safety devices to avoid any kind of accidents or mishaps. These dashcams can alert fleet managers if a driver is not feeling well or is in a sleep state. This can prevent accidents and, in turn, result in safe and fast delivery. 

 

But how can this lead to a reduction in waste? Trucks that deliver perishable goods on a daily basis can save time and deliver fresh items. This can drastically save tonnes of items from sudden breakouts or accidents that can lead to food damage. Likewise, installing humidity and temperature sensors can help the driver and fleet manager plan a waste-free delivery.

In a Nutshell

According to EPA, 27% of greenhouse gas emissions was from transportation in 2020. The growth rate for freight market would be nearly 5% by 2026. This clearly indicates how important it is to address the waste management requirement and carbon footprint challenge. So, the right time to take action is now. The pledge toward least to no emissions is imperative to stand tall and fulfill the customers’ expectations.

 

But, completely revolutionizing the operations with heavy technology can be daunting. Therefore, at TruckX, we equip the fleet with state-of-the-art products that can be installed in minutes. We offer the ideal technological solutions for all your freight requirements, helping you reduce waste and become more sustainable.


If you have been planning to customize your freight with waste management technology, we have got your back. Get in touch with us for all the details about our products and offerings.interstate highway routes. It has taken vehicle-to-vehicle communication to the next level. 

The lead vehicle in platooning controls the speed and direction of other connected trucks. The response between the connected trucks is instant, with zero reaction time. Once they get within a specific range from the destination, the vehicles are diverted with allotted drivers to different delivery points. 

Platooning represents a promising aspect in the future of the trucking industry, where fleet managers have more control over road safety measures. It also saves fuel and is environmentally friendly — all of which is made possible via real-time data and analytics.

5. Optimizes Routing and Freight Movements

The logistics industry is adapting the sensor-based system for route optimization and real-time freight monitoring. Big data and analytics are crucial for streamlining such systems in large fleet management. This way, you can pre-plan the shipments, mitigate possible risks and ensure timely delivery of consignments.

6. Monitors and Maintains Inventory

Logistics management, especially with large fleets, is critical as it depends on many variables. During transport, several things could go wrong and lead to damage or loss of goods. With data analytics enabling real-time monitoring and control over large fleets, it is possible to minimize such losses. 

This can save firms from situations of unforeseen inventory shortages. Data and analytics can help pre-plan the consignments by explaining the possible risks the fleet can encounter, right from loading to transition and delivery of goods.

7. Improves End-to-End Customer Experience

Successful delivery is the prime focus of every trucking firm. However, customer experience is not just limited to that. Providing customers with a satisfactory end-to-end experience also includes maintaining clear communication at each step of the transit and intimating them about incidents when things don’t go as planned. 

This shows that the firm values the customers and strives to maintain transparency. Such practices build trust, credibility, and a positive reputation for the company in the long run. To be able to achieve it, real-time data acquisition and analysis become imperative.

How Can We Help?

It’s high time to start your digital transformation journey. Tech solutions are now crucial for efficient fleet management as they can provide real-time data and help you deliver the best services. 

We at TruckX offer the best and most affordable IoT and ELD solutions for efficient fleet management. With scalable features, these solutions are well-suited for fleets of all sizes. You can choose from an array of options, like dashcams and sensor-based tracking systems for ELD compliance, asset tracking, and more. Connect with us and efficiently 

cater to your fleet needs.