Technology is advancing at a faster rate than it’s ever been before. Whether it’s the newest upgrades to our mobile devices or the latest trucking technology that’s being set up in our trucks, the future of trucking is shaping up to be a brave new world for carriers and drivers alike.
As exciting as these technology-centric trucking industry trends are, we’re still far away from the kind of future we’re used to seeing in science fiction. Instead, truck technology is being developed to improve the truck driving lifestyle and make the lives of everyone in the industry a little bit easier.
Here are a few of the trucking technology trends and developments that we’re most excited about:
Dynamic Routing Advancements
Dynamic routing isn’t a new development in the trucking industry, but it is one of the most impressive. Not only is it constantly being iterated on and further developed, but these advancements have also made it possible for more and more trucks to start implementing this exciting technology.
According to Fleet Owner, “Dynamic routing can add in adjustability and data to inform the paths taken, especially with traffic and weather information that today truly can get close to that often-made promise of ‘real-time.’” This means that carriers and their drivers can more efficiently plot a course from Point A to Point B and make sure that the route a driver takes is as safe and clear as possible.
As if increased safety and efficiency weren’t enough, dynamic routing can also help drivers get to their final destination faster, cut down on the amount of fuel their trucks consume per trip, better control costs, and make customers happier. And as a result of all this, carriers will be able to save money and find new ways to promote better truck driver health and safety.
This kind of trucking technology is still in various stages of development, but more than a couple carriers have begun experimenting with it, and we’re very excited to see it continue to advance and improve in the coming years.
Trucking Automation Features
It’s hard to talk about the future of trucking technology without mentioning automation. While there are plenty of people claiming that fully-automated trucks are inevitable, reality paints a very different picture.
“Truck drivers perform all kinds of tasks,” Harvard Business Review says. “From checking vehicles and securing cargo, to maintaining logs and providing customer service. Many of these tasks are nowhere close to being automatable.” Even if an automated sensor can tell a driver that there’s a flat tire, it’s still up to the driver to get out and fix the tire.
Truck drivers aren’t going anywhere, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t value to be found in trucking automation. Some carriers have already started automating things like logbook updates, invoices, and other paperwork, but those are tasks that don’t require a human touch, just time. By implementing trucking automation features that streamline a driver’s workload, you can help them be better equipped to do their jobs to the best of their ability.
Adapting to the Internet of Things (IoT)
In the same way that trucking automation can help streamline the truck driving lifestyle, embracing the Internet of Things (IoT) can also remove some of the busywork that keeps drivers from the things they’re best at.
The “IoT forms a network of devices, vehicles and appliances which can actively share data. For example,” TransMetrics says, “networks of sensors mounted throughout the truck can monitor everything from tire pressure to load stability.” This is an excellent example of how trucking technology can improve the future of trucking, as it’ll help each driver operate their truck better than they’ve ever been able to before.
As new and exciting software for truckers comes into the market, we can start to see our first look into what the future of trucking might look like.
Lily Transportation is excited to find and adopt new ways to take better care of our drivers and equip them with all the tools they need to succeed. If you’re interested in hearing more about the cutting edge and meticulously maintained equipment we offer, then get in touch with us today! We would love to hear from you.
