The trucking industry is constantly evolving. Over the past 50 years, the industry has experienced significant changes spanning everything from engine technology to electronic log books, from hours of service to vehicle sizes. Fifty years ago, in 1973, the typical trailer length was just 40 feet while today the maximum length of a single trailer is 53 feet—and anyone who has had to park in some older rest areas knows that not all infrastructure has been adapted to comfortably accommodate today’s rigs.
As the cliché goes, the only thing constant is change. Looking ahead into the trucking industry we see concepts and trends continuing to adapt as the world around us changes.
Electronic Logging Devices (ELD)
Long gone are the days of running dual—even multiple—logbooks. As the trend has
moved from ‘recommended’ to ‘mandatory’ (for most drivers), drivers must adapt to—and adhere to—regulations that mandate the hours of service (HOS) and sleeper berth times. ELDs impact the way that trucking companies operate. Some carriers have adjusted their dispatch and scheduling practices to ensure that drivers are able to take the required breaks and stay within their HOS limits. The ELD mandate has helped to improve safety on the roads by reducing driver fatigue and promoting compliance with HOS regulations. It has also helped to level the playing field for carriers by ensuring that all carriers are held to the same HOS standards.
GPS Tracking
GPS tracking is used in the trucking industry to monitor the location and movement of commercial trucks. It helps trucking companies optimize routes, reduce fuel consumption, and improve fleet management. GPS tracking can also help improve safety by providing real-time monitoring of vehicle speed and location, which can be used to alert drivers to potential safety hazards and to ensure that they are complying with safety regulations. Additionally, GPS tracking can help reduce the risk of cargo theft by providing real-time monitoring of the location of the truck and its cargo.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are designed to assist drivers with various driving tasks and to improve safety on the roads. These systems use sensors and cameras to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings and can provide either alerts to the driver or take automated actions to help prevent accidents. We have witnessed new ADAS technology rolling out in recent years and there’s no slowing down. New trucks are coming out with:
- Lane departure warning: Sensors detect when the vehicle is drifting out of its lane and alert the driver to take corrective action or automatically corrects the drifting.
- Adaptive cruise control: This system uses radar or laser sensors to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front and automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe distance.
- Automatic emergency braking: Sensors are used to detect when a collision is imminent, automatically applying the brakes to help avoid or mitigate the impact of the collision.
- Video Side Mirrors: Side mirrors are replaced with cameras connected to in-cab video screens.
Autonomous Trucks
Autonomous transport trucks, also known as self-driving or driverless trucks, are already being tested in several countries around the world. It is expected that they will begin to be used more widely in the coming years as the technology continues to advance and become more affordable. However, it is difficult to predict exactly when they will be in widespread use, as it depends on a variety of factors including regulatory approvals, public acceptance, and the rate at which the technology is adopted by trucking companies. While not imminent for 2023, be sure to watch as this technology is aggressively pursued by multiple companies. These trucks are also seen as a way to help address the widely-discussed and hotly-debated driver shortage.
Consolidations
The trend in the trucking industry towards consolidation, with larger, multi-national companies increasing their market share through acquisitions and mergers is expected to continue. This trend is driven by several factors, including economies of scale, access to capital, and the ability to better negotiate with shippers and other industry partners.
As a result of this consolidation, a relatively small number of large trucking companies now control a significant portion of the market, and these companies often have significant bargaining power. This can have both positive and negative impacts on the industry, depending on the specific circumstances. For example, larger companies may be able to offer more stable employment opportunities and better working conditions for their drivers, but they may also be less flexible and less responsive to the needs of small businesses and individual shippers.
Environmental Sustainability
There is an increasing focus on sustainability in the trucking industry, thanks to a recognition that the transportation sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution. As a result, there has been a push to implement more environmentally-friendly practices throughout the industry in order to reduce the environmental impact of trucking. This can take a variety of forms, including the use of more fuel-efficient vehicles, the adoption of alternative fuels such as electric or hydrogen-powered trucks, and the implementation of practices such as idle reduction and speed limiters, which can help to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. There is also a growing focus on other aspects of sustainability, such as the use of recycled and environmentally-friendly materials in the construction of trucks and the implementation of more efficient supply chain and logistics practices.
While drivers may be averse to new technology, choosing to fondly live with the traditional freedom of the highway, it can be particularly useful for trucking companies and drivers alike as they can help reduce the risk of accidents and improve safety on the roads.
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