The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates.
This article is inspired by National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW), which begins Sunday and runs through Sept. 16. NTDAW is an important time for America to thank all the professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in undertaking one of our economy’s most demanding and important jobs. These 3.5 million professional men and women not only deliver our goods safely, securely and on time, but they also keep our highways safe. Nearly every aspect of our daily lives is made possible because a truck driver delivered the goods and resources we all need.
But truck driving is a hard job with incredible hours and often low wages. Drivers also have to deal with a lot of inefficiencies created by traffic congestion, lack of truck parking spaces or waiting times at yards, just to name a few. And the current economic conditions have not made it easier on truck drivers’ already dire situation. Just recently thousands of drivers lost their jobs when Yellow went bankrupt. So how do we collaborate better with transportation companies and drivers to improve drivers’ lives?
Besides treating drivers better by welcoming them at loading and unloading locations with respect and, even more important, access to clean toilets and a hot coffee or a refreshing drink during the hot summer months, technology can improve drivers’ lives. Improving the lives and working conditions of truck drivers through collaboration requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including trucking companies, drivers, regulatory bodies, technology providers and the general public.
Dynamic optimization is one way shipments can be optimized better by taking into consideration actual information from loading and unloading locations as well as weather and traffic. This in turn allows drivers better flow-through in the yard as well as more optimal driving conditions on the road. Optym’s RouteMax is one solution that helps asset-based trucking companies optimize better.
Real-time visibility is another solution that can help drivers eliminate multiple check calls and focus on their job: driving without distraction. Project44 works with many shippers and trucking companies to help improve drivers’ daily jobs.
The use of apps and other tools to help automate the driver’s life, such as digital documentation or dynamic appointment scheduling, can eliminate unnecessary manual tasks or hold up a driver waiting for paper documents at a stop. More time to drive means less stress and safer driving. And finally, autonomous technology can help improve the safety and driving experience by eliminating a lot of the “white knuckling” in which truck drivers must deal with inexperienced, noncommercial drivers creating all kinds of hazards.
If shippers and carriers collaborate more around solutions that impact the drivers, then we can improve efficiency in transportation while at the same time make driving more attractive to a new generation of Americans. Establishing a good working relationship with shippers ensures smoother loading/unloading, reduces waiting times and can lead to better facilities for drivers at shipping/receiving points.
But let’s also involve the drivers in the process. Develop platforms where drivers can provide feedback on routes, rest stops, loading/unloading zones and other aspects of the job. This can help companies make better operational decisions. Develop collaborative scheduling platforms where drivers can collaborate on scheduling to ensure they get optimal rest, time with family and can potentially swap routes with other drivers if needed.
Trucking and logistics have been a part of my life for more than 30 years and so I want to show my appreciation through this article for all the truck drivers who make our lives better. Thank you.
Look for more articles from me every Friday on FreightWaves.com.
About the author
Bart De Muynck is an industry thought leader with over 30 years of supply chain and logistics experience. He has worked for major international companies, including EY, GE Capital, Penske Logistics and PepsiCo, as well as several tech companies. He also spent eight years as a vice president of research at Gartner and, most recently, served as chief industry officer at project44. He is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and CSCMP’s Executive Inner Circle.
TCS53
Never going to happen! I’m retired now after 45 years of driving and one of the reasons I retired was the quality of truck drivers on the road. It’s bad and getting worse by the month. Trucking has always been and always will be a cut throat business but nowadays you can’t get down the road without some driver acting the fool. Not to mention shippers, they could care less about the drivers that hit there dock.
David Bell
I’m glad to say that a month from now I will no longer be driving a truck . I own a truck and trailer and this year is the 1st year in 37 years I have not been profitable. The over regulation and disrespect and cost of doing business have reached the point of moving to do something more profitable and less stressful. I hope more drivers can find a better way to make a living this industry and our out of control government have abused the drivers for to long . If every driver quit tomorrow you would get what you deserve.
Rick Murray
Federal mandates that ALL STATES triple (or more) the number of rest areas exclusively for trucks, and heavily fine car drivers that use them. If they’re not a commercial vehicle, they’ve got no business in a trucker rest area. The rest areas don’t have to be fancy. 5-10 WELL-MAINTAINED Porta-potties would be sufficient. Then, have the local prison population do the trash pick up, since the highway people can’t be bothered. Yes, I know truckers can be nasty, with what they throw out. But, cameras recording the offenders, and fining their company would choke that off.
TONY ANDERSON
Drivers don’t help the situation.like Lawrence said drives are not very professional any more sweats and crocks when I see this I just shake my head and most don’t know how to speak English don’t now the rules of the road tailgate speed.until this changes no shippers or receiver are going to take us seriously
Jared
No, just no.
Lawrence
I’m sure you’re intentions are good, but it’s not going to happen. Trying to get truck drivers to is like trying to Hurd cats. Good luck! I’ve been a trucker for over 41 years and still employed as a driver. Owned my own truck for over 11 years and I can say that I’ve seen and experienced a lot that will not change my mind at all about what you’re trying to do. Shippers and receivers have their own ways of doing things and then you have to take into account the people these companies employ. Many don’t care about their job, lousy attitude, just rudeness and lack of respect toward the driver.
Drivers! I’ve seen a quality of driver just drop off the cliff. Drivers don’t conduct themselves professionally at all. Not all of course but generally speaking, drivers appear to look like they just got out of bed as they walk up to receivers and shippers windows, smelly, can’t speak English well or at all.
I’m not necessarily throwing drivers under the buss but drivers are a lot of the problem. I also understand the problem of wages driving jobs pay and the hours of road time that they don’t get compensated for really contributing towards driver attitudes. I’ve been at this over 41 years and still at it, I pay attention to everything around me and I know I’ve left out much. Could go on and on about this subject.
Another thing that I see that tells me you’re efforts will not work is so many people are trying to resolve these issues have never been out here grabbing gears! Only know numbers and spread sheets and statistics. Garbage!! Hop in the saddle for a few years then come at us with your suggestions. No disrespect intended just truth.