The trucking industry is undergoing a massive shift in operation standards. One of the more controversial examples is the polarizing electronic logging device mandate. However, the industry is far from relaxing into a new normal. Significant and surprising trends are set to disrupt an already unsettled field. The following are some of the most unexpected trends fleets should expect in 2018.
Amazon Will Remain the Elephant in the Room
Amazon is a known disrupter, setting its sights first on ecommerce and now expanding into the transportation sector. Fleets have felt the Amazon effect for quite some time now, particularly for supply chain. Many operations are struggling to keep up with customer expectations and demands, as Amazon set the standard for rapid pace deliveries.
However, Amazon is poised to cause even more chaos for trucking. While Amazon has established working relationships with transportation and distribution vendors, it is increasingly supplementing deliveries with its own services. As Amazon invests in more tractors, trains, and airlift options, trucking companies need to ask themselves, how will this affect my operation?
Electronic Vehicles Will Come Sooner Than Many Believe
Some within the industry scoff at the notion of electric commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) because they do not offer significant cost savings. In fact, immediate cost savings are limited, with most rolling in over the course of several years. However, when looking at the long-term, electronic vehicles will withstand the test of time. They are easier to maintain, last for longer, and the cost to power them is more stable than diesel prices. Now that Tesla has unveiled an all-electric semi-truck with a 500-mile radius, electronic CMVs are a very real possibility in the near future.
Urbanization Will Shift to Suburbanization
The re-urbanization trend was a happy one for the transportation industry. College students preferred city living and eschewed personal vehicles in favor of public transit. This made last-mile delivery much easier as there were fewer cars on the highway and fewer drivers in inner cities. However, this trend may have peaked without industry notice.
The same college graduates who delayed marriage and children in favor of higher education pursuits are now ready to settle down. The dream of a family home complete with a white picket fence is calling this demographic back to the suburbs. This means more commuters, more traffic, and more delivery headaches. The added congestion is not the only problem for last-mile delivery. With greater distances between stops, it is taking drivers longer than usual to make their final deliveries.
With drivers facing unexpected challenges, fleets need innovative solutions to address them. DriverCheck can help your transportation business stay ahead of the latest trends with pioneering technology designed to help drivers navigate shifting traffic patterns, adjust driving behaviors to improve safety and fuel efficiency, and many other methods to reduce operating expenses. Contact us today to learn more.
