Rising fuel costs, a stringent regulatory environment, and driver shortages... These are just but a few of the issues that trucking companies in VA have had to contend with in recent years. Fortunately, they've come at a time when a number of technologies are taking the field by storm:
Hybridization: This combines electrical and standard subsystems to form a hybrid powertrain. The technology has come a long way, mostly thanks to the progress realized in its development. Besides enhancing the practicality of 6X2 axles, hybridization has allowed the use of compact engines and transmissions. With the downsizing of batteries expected to come to fruition, it's only a matter of time before it becomes standard industry-wide.
Platooning: This involves linking up a handful of trucks to form a travelling platoon, and is closely intertwined with autonomous vehicle technology. The lead truck then establishes a defined pattern for the rest of the pack to follow while in motion, albeit with human drivers onboard. Platooning is thought to be a sustainable solution for traffic congestion and safety, particularly when implemented on an open model.
Telematics: This is an amalgamation of vehicle tracking and communication technologies that's designed specifically for the haulage industry. With it, performance metrics can be retrieved and analyzed from each vehicle in order to define its most efficient operational cycle. Drivers can also be influenced to avoid instances that lead to efficiency losses (idling, speeding and deviation from assigned routes).
With so many innovations on the horizon, it's clear that the trucking sector is ripe for for a green transformation. It'll take bit of time before emerging technologies are adopted industry-wide, not least because most of them aren't ready for commercial deployment as yet. On that note, it's worth taking a look at some of the steps you can take to enhance efficiency in the meantime:
Focus on Quality: It makes business sense to prioritize quality when recruiting personnel (read drivers). On that note, anything else you could do to retain them will be well worthwhile. While quality does cost a pretty penny, it always pays off in the long run.
Remember Those Check-ups: It's very important that you keep up with all elements of your maintenance program. If that seems obvious, so should the need to have scheduling features in your fleet management software. This will eliminate the risk of forgetting when tasks fall due.
Maintain Appropriate Tire Pressures: This is arguably the most obvious yet overlooked aspect of fleet maintenance. As such, it's worth spending some time enlightening your staff on the importance of proper inflation and frequent tire checkups. You'll be surprised by how big a performance gain you'll reap thereafter.
There's no denying that technology has become a handy tool for the modern trucker. It's in your best interest to get acquainted with the solutions currently available and see how you can take advantage of them. Of course, that shouldn't make you ditch the good old techniques for getting the most out of your fleet.
Hybridization: This combines electrical and standard subsystems to form a hybrid powertrain. The technology has come a long way, mostly thanks to the progress realized in its development. Besides enhancing the practicality of 6X2 axles, hybridization has allowed the use of compact engines and transmissions. With the downsizing of batteries expected to come to fruition, it's only a matter of time before it becomes standard industry-wide.
Platooning: This involves linking up a handful of trucks to form a travelling platoon, and is closely intertwined with autonomous vehicle technology. The lead truck then establishes a defined pattern for the rest of the pack to follow while in motion, albeit with human drivers onboard. Platooning is thought to be a sustainable solution for traffic congestion and safety, particularly when implemented on an open model.
Telematics: This is an amalgamation of vehicle tracking and communication technologies that's designed specifically for the haulage industry. With it, performance metrics can be retrieved and analyzed from each vehicle in order to define its most efficient operational cycle. Drivers can also be influenced to avoid instances that lead to efficiency losses (idling, speeding and deviation from assigned routes).
With so many innovations on the horizon, it's clear that the trucking sector is ripe for for a green transformation. It'll take bit of time before emerging technologies are adopted industry-wide, not least because most of them aren't ready for commercial deployment as yet. On that note, it's worth taking a look at some of the steps you can take to enhance efficiency in the meantime:
Focus on Quality: It makes business sense to prioritize quality when recruiting personnel (read drivers). On that note, anything else you could do to retain them will be well worthwhile. While quality does cost a pretty penny, it always pays off in the long run.
Remember Those Check-ups: It's very important that you keep up with all elements of your maintenance program. If that seems obvious, so should the need to have scheduling features in your fleet management software. This will eliminate the risk of forgetting when tasks fall due.
Maintain Appropriate Tire Pressures: This is arguably the most obvious yet overlooked aspect of fleet maintenance. As such, it's worth spending some time enlightening your staff on the importance of proper inflation and frequent tire checkups. You'll be surprised by how big a performance gain you'll reap thereafter.
There's no denying that technology has become a handy tool for the modern trucker. It's in your best interest to get acquainted with the solutions currently available and see how you can take advantage of them. Of course, that shouldn't make you ditch the good old techniques for getting the most out of your fleet.
About the Author:
When you are searching for information about trucking companies in VA, residents can come to our web pages today. More details are available at http://www.lillytruckingva.com now.
No comments:
Post a Comment