IFTA Report.
It all begins with an idea.
Keeping it simple, IFTA, is your report of fuel when traveling through different states. This report is very important when owning a truck or truck company. It is crucial for yourself or company to keep up with the miles and fuel usage in each state.
Reefer Trailers on the radar of CARB.
The clock is ticking, counting down to a new set of emissions regulations issued by the California Air Resource Board.
This time, CARB is moving into a new area of emissions regulations for trucking, with regulations beginning next year that will target trailer refrigeration units in the Golden State. And, of course, as any veteran fleet officer knows, when it comes to emissions regulations, once California adopts new standards, it is only a matter of time before much of the rest of the United States follows suit.
Trailer and refrigeration unit manufacturers are watching this pending regulation closely.
Thermo King has issued some guidelines for fleets in California and says the two most immediate regulatory concerns focus on transport refrigeration units (TRUs) as well as other refrigerated trailers, truck bodies and transport containers.
For the purposes of these new regulations, CARB defines TRUs as "units that are powered by internal combustion engines (inside the unit housing) that control the environment of temperature-sensitive products that are transported in refrigerated trucks, trailers, railcars, and shipping containers. They may be capable of cooling or heating. TRUs are used to transport and store many products, including, but not limited to food, pharmaceuticals, plants, medicines, blood, chemicals, photographic film, art work, and explosives.”
CARB also notes that, “Some companies use TRUs for extended cold storage during the four- to six-week period before major holidays and events. Distribution centers and grocery stores are known to run out of cold storage space in their buildings, so they store overflow goods in TRU-equipped trucks and trailers outside the grocery stores and distribution centers. Distribution centers and other cold storage facilities also attract large volumes of TRUs that contribute to higher localized health risk in nearby communities."
Of course, all those idling reefer units are putting out emissions. So CARB is in the midst of developing new regulations "to reduce emissions from facilities with TRU activity by transitioning to zero-emission operation where practical.”
Although specific emissions regulations are still in the process of being developed, In order to make enforcement possible, fleets in Califronia already are required to register all TRUs operating in the state with CARB. Importantly, registration will soon be required for TRUs owned by California fleets that are based outside of the state.
Additionally, beginning next year, any “newly manufactured” truck, trailer, domestic shipping container and rail TRUs that were manufactured with refrigerant and operating in California must use a refrigerant with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) less than, or equal to, 2,200. This requirement will mostly be a formality for fleets, entailing talking with trailer OEMs to verify that the refrigerant being used in new equipment meets this criterion and obtaining the pertinent documentation at the time of purchase.
These new regulations, however, are just a warm-up act for additional new CARB trailer mandates that will become law in 2023 and additional, increasingly stringent emissions regulations that will follow in 2025.
Beginning in 2023:
Applicable “facility owners” In California will be required to register their facilities with CARB and pay fees every three years, and report all TRUs that operate at their facility to CARB quarterly or attest that only compliant TRUs operate at their facility.
TRU owners will be required to including out-of-state based) with CARB, pay fees (every three years), and affix CARB compliance label (every three years).
Truck TRU fleets shall transition toward a goal of zero-emissions from TRUs, based on a reduction in fleet emissions of 15% each year (for seven years).
Beginning on Dec. 31, 2022, model year 2023 and newer trailer TRU generator set engines will be required to meet the Ultra-Low-Emission TRU (ULETRU) performance standard – with the manufacture of TRU generator units that do not meet the ULETRU by trailer OEMs banned outright beginning on May 31, 2022.
Then, beginning in 2025:
All trailer and domestic shipping container TRUs will meet zero-emission operation when parked or stationary for more than 15 minutes at an applicable facility.
All trailer and domestic shipping container TRUs must be equipped with an electronic telematics system.
All trailer and domestic shipping container TRUs must meet US EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards for 25-50 horsepower engines.
All truck TRUs must phase in 15% per year (over 7 years) of their fleet to zero-emission.
Importantly, Thermo King notes, most of the proposed changes target “in use” equipment and not just newly manufactured equipment.
CARB’s end goal with these regulations will be achieved in 2029, when the law will require that all truck TRUs operating in California shall be zero-emission by Dec. 31, 2029 (although compliance extension may be granted due to infrastructure delays).
“For fleets in California, the initial impetuous for complying with the 2022 CARB regulations will be going through the process of registering all TRUs in service, as well as making certain any new TRU additions meet the GWP target number,” a CARB spokesperson in the agency’s Transportation and Toxics Division, which is overseeing the TRU regulation, told HDT.
The spokesperson also noted that CARB staff are currently developing amendments to the TRU Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM), which will be released in late July for a 45-day comment period and will be considered at the September board meeting. The current concept for the amendments includes reporting requirements for out-of-state based TRUs that operate in California. If adopted by the board, these requirements would begin on Dec. 31, 2023.
At the moment, the spokesperson stressed, the existing TRU ATCM already requires California-based TRUs to be reported to CARB. The required information may be submitted to CARB by using the agency’s CARB’s online ARBER program, by mail, or by email.
Out-of-state based TRU owners will be subject to the same reporting requirements already established for California-based TRU owners.
“Reporting of all TRUs that operate in California, regardless of where they are based, is needed to ensure robust compliance monitoring and enforcement of all TRUs operating in California, and to help to level the playing field between California-based and out-of-state based TRUs,” the CARB spokesperson said, when asked about extending CARB’s compliance jurisdiction outside of California.
New regulations require that TRUs begin the transition to zero-emission technology now, according to Purkeys, which just introduced a new shore-power system for reefers. Purkeys officials said in addition to all reefers operating in California being registered with CARB by 2022, all facilities must complete installation of electric powering infrastructure to support zero-emission reefers (ZER) by 2024.
“TRUs used in transportation within California and the 14 other states that comply with CARB regulations will need to use either electric or hybrid technology when parked for more than 15 minutes,” said Dale Tompkins, president of MCE’s Vehicle Power segment, of which Purkey's is a part.
Why is California making such a big deal out of reefer regulations? In 2019, CARB estimated that TRUs within the state were responsible for nearly 900,000 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, 7,000 tons of NOx, and 277 tons of toxic diesel particulate matter.
President Joe Biden Visits Mack Trucks Lehigh Valley Operations
ALLENTOWN, PA (July 28, 2021) – Mack Trucks today hosted President Joe Biden at its Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO) facility in Macungie, Pennsylvania, where all Mack heavy-duty models for North America and export are assembled. President Biden stressed the importance of American manufacturing, buying American products and good-paying jobs during remarks made at the facility.
“We are honored that President Biden chose to visit Mack Trucks today,” said Martin Weissburg, president of Mack Trucks. “This week marks the 121st anniversary of Mack Trucks, and we are very pleased to celebrate this milestone with the President. Mack is part of the only heavy-duty truck manufacturing group to assemble all of its trucks exclusively in the U.S. for this market.”
Mack recently completed an $84 million investment in plant improvements at LVO, which included the insourcing of chassis assembly, the addition of new equipment and a 300,000 square-foot expansion of the facility. The plant upgrades were completed in 2020. LVO currently employs more than 2,500 people and plans to hire up to 400 more this year.
During Wednesday’s visit, Biden met with employees, including those represented by United Auto Workers Local 677, and toured LVO, learning about Mack’s assembly process, its supply chain, and Mack’s commitment to battery-electric vehicles. Biden was able to see firsthand the Mack LR Electric battery-electric refuse vehicle, Mack’s first fully electric Class 8 truck.
Mack emphasized to Biden the importance of robust funding investments in infrastructure for zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV), as well as for all types of transportation.
“We need these types of investments to support American manufacturing’s competitiveness in the global economy and to prepare for innovative technologies like the Mack LR Electric,” Weissburg said.
“President Biden’s visit to Mack Trucks spotlights the importance of manufacturing and good-paying jobs to the U.S. economy, and we are pleased to have hosted him at our facility,” said Gunnar Brunius, vice president and general manager of LVO.
Mack MD Series Launch Campaign Wins MarCom Award
GREENSBORO, NC (July 8, 2021) – The launch campaign for Mack Trucks’ all-new Mack MD Series of medium-duty trucks won a 2020 platinum MarCom Award, the highest award level in the product launch category, from the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals (AMCP).
Mack partnered with their agency, The Office of Experience (OX), to create the campaign centered on small business owners who were looking to grow their businesses. Launched in 2004, the MarCom awards now attract more than 6,000 entries annually from countries around the globe.
“We’re proud of the excellent collaboration between our team and OX to develop a comprehensive campaign focused on how the all-new Mack MD Series would help small businesses address their unique business needs and support their growth plans,” said John Walsh, Mack Trucks vice president of marketing. “It’s an honor to take home top accolades and be recognized among a deep field of top companies. Most importantly, the MD Series models are performing well and received strong acceptance by our dealers and customers.”
The campaign rolled out at the 2020 Work Truck Show, where Mack first displayed the MD6 model, which was designed to give the versatility and driver comfort of a Mack truck to customers needing a medium-duty truck. The launch campaign highlighted real customers using Mack MD6 and MD7 trucks in a variety of configurations for their businesses.
Mack’s multimedia campaign included print ads, graphics, digital ads, signage for the Work Truck Show, a video, social media posts and wraps for trucks. A landing page for dealers included product information, sell sheets and recommended specs to help them start conversations with potential customers.
The campaign generated 23.6 million impressions, translating into strong interest in the Mack MD Series, which went into full production in September 2020.
The Mack MD Series is assembled at the Mack Roanoke Valley Operations (RVO) facility in the Roanoke Valley, Virginia. The Mack MD Series includes the MD6, a Class 6 model with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 25,995 pounds, and the MD7, a Class 7 model with a GVWR of 33,000 pounds. Both models are exempt from the 12 percent Federal Excise Tax (FET).
Available in 4x2 configurations, the Mack MD6 and MD7 are ideal for dry van/refrigerated, tank truck, dump, stake and flatbed applications. The MD Series also offers a clear back of cab and top of frame rail to make it easier for body builder adaptations.
A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is not required to operate the MD6 model if the payload is non-hazardous. The MD6 and MD7 models are equipped with the Cummins B6.7 engine, an Allison six-speed transmission and Meritor front and rear axles.
The Mack MD Series models feature a sharp wheel cut for increased maneuverability in tough to navigate urban settings, as well as an industry-best 103-inch bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) measurement. The driver-focused interior of the Mack MD6 and MD7 models shares comfort and ergonomic design features with Mack’s Class 8 truck models, ensuring a quiet ride for drivers. The exterior of the medium-duty models was inspired by the Mack Anthem®, Mack’s highway model, matching its bold look and styling in the grille and hood design.
Eight wheelbase lengths are offered with the Mack MD Series, supporting typical bodies ranging from 10 to 26 feet. The vehicles come standard with 22.5-inch wheels.
The Mack MD Series is supported through Geotab Go, offering access to Mack OneCall™ agents, available 24/7 at the Mack Uptime Center based in Greensboro, North Carolina.
All-new Mack MD Series models now have special financing options available from Mack Financial Services (MFS) for customers in the U.S. and Canada.
The MFS MD Max Pack for Model Year 2021 and 2022 Mack MD6 and MD7 models includes a complimentary engine protection plan, competitive rates and flexible payment options. Eligible vehicles must be purchased, warranty registered and funded through MFS by Sept. 30, 2021.
The MD Max Pack bundled offer includes a Complimentary Engine Protection Plan, with engine coverage for up to 60 months or 250,000 miles, as well as 100 percent financing and extended terms up to 72 months for qualified buyers. Terminal Rental Adjustment Clause (TRAC) lease options are also available for those who qualify.
7 Safety Tips to Use During Hurricane Season for truck drivers.
1. Perform a Vehicle Inspection before Leaving the Truck Load
Safety always starts with a pre-trip inspection. Our trucking safety tip to transportation coordinators is to ensure that each vehicle is in proper working condition before it leaves the truck yard during a storm.
2. Pull Your Truck Over When It Becomes too Windy
There is no calm before the storm. Even before a hurricane hits, there's heavy rain and strong winds. Strong winds can pull and even flip a tractor trailer. They can even damage a parked trailer. If you’re driving with dry vans or reefers on a windy day, a beneficial safety tip for truck drivers is to pull over when it’s safe to stop.
3. Watch the Weather & Road Conditions
Hurricanes can change course quickly. Truck drivers should continuously check the U.S. Department of Transportation road conditions and closings throughout the duration of a storm. If there is a state of emergency in a certain area, a safety tip for truck drivers is to travel a different route or delay shipment to that area.
4. Avoid Flooded Roads
The high clearance and heavy weight of your truck may give you an edge over passenger cars on flooded roads, but if road pavement and small bridges can be ripped apart by flooded roads, so can your trailer. Not to mention, there could be deep holes, debris and power lines on the road beneath the water. Our safety tip for experts in the trucking industry is to adjust routes to avoid severe flooding. On the other hand, it may be a smart idea to stop your vehicle and visit a rest stop until the storm is over.
5. Be Prepared for Delays or Route Changes
Weather is unpredictable. Even a slight shift in the storm’s course can make a big impact on your truck route and safety. And there’s no telling how long the impact could last. Your best course of action: be patient, keep an eye on the weather, and be prepared for schedule delays and changes.
6. Remain Aware of Your Surroundings & Road Conditions
Be alert to the road ahead and your surroundings, for your safety and those around you. You're on the road days and weeks on end. During severe weather, the demands and conditions for truck drivers is only greater. The most valuable trucking safety tips we want to iterate to drivers is to get rest and take continuous breaks throughout the day.
7. Slow Down on Corners & Ramps
Truck drivers have loads of responsibility — the first and foremost is to follow trucking safety tips and regulations. Storm or no storm: slow down, especially on corners and ramps. No load is worth your life or the life of others on the road.
HOW TO STOP OVERTHINKING
Picture this: you've just crawled into bed after what seemed like a great day. You turn off the light, close your eyes, and prepare for a peaceful doze into sleep.
And then the overthinking begins.
What follows is a routine so many of us are all too familiar with. We obsess over everything we said that day and beat ourselves up over everything that we didn't. We replay conversations over and over again in our minds, agonizing over the smallest of details and analyzing all the ways in which we could've been wrongly perceived. We spend hours ruminating on these thoughts, rehashing the past until everything that seemed good at first now becomes nothing more than a place for worry and distress.
Our desire for control over our lives can lead to these thoughts taking over our minds, leaving us in an exhaustive state of anxiety for the days to come. While it may feel impossible to escape the shackles of overthinking, I'm here to tell you that with determination and God on your side, you can put an end to the constant barrage of thoughts.
You see, the wonderful thing about having a relationship with God is that we’re never alone in our struggles. He tells us to come to Him whenever we're burdened and weary (Matthew 11:28), to cast all our anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7), to not worry about anything but instead rely on Him for strength and peace of mind (Philippians 4:6).
How comforting is that?
The God who created the universe and knows the stars by name cares for you more than you could ever imagine, and is always there for you to depend on. He wants nothing more than for you to surrender your worries, your overthinking, to Him and trust in His control, so that He can finally let you experience His all-encompassing peace that is unlike anything we've felt before. Pretty incredible, if you ask me.
So next time you notice yourself spiraling into the overthinking trap, remember these verses and enter into prayer. Ask God to help you let go of the situation and surrender it to Him, to give you the strength to trust in His perfect control. Any time an anxious thought about it enters your mind, imagine crumpling it up and casting it onto God for Him to take care of. Little by little, you'll start to see that rather than acting as glue for the overthinking thoughts, your mind will be more rubber as you immediately give any thought that enters it over to God, trusting completely in His control.
Now, this is all easier said than done. Wanting to be in control of everything is in our nature, and it takes a pretty high level of faith to truly hand a situation over to God. But faith is a constant journey, and with every prayer and attempt at trust we make, it grows that much deeper and stronger. Always remember that no matter where you're at in your faith journey or in your struggle with overthinking, God will always be there for you, ready to help you overcome the battle.
Improve Fuel Economy in a Truck
1. Stop Speeding
More than any other driving habit, excessive speeding burns the most fuel.
A truck driving 75 mph consumes 27% more fuel than one driving 65 mph, the ATA has found. According to their estimate, capping truck speed at 65 mph would net the trucking industry another 2.8 billion gallons of diesel fuel saved, over the course of a decade.
2. Reduce Aggressive Driving
The next biggest area to focus on after speeding. Harsh and frequent braking and accelerating. Think about the stop-start driving that vehicle suffer through when an overeager trucker speeds up, only to slow back down immediately, on busy roads.
3. Cut Down on Idling
Idling a heavy-duty truck burns around 0.8 gallons of fuel each hour. That's higher than the 0.25 to 0.5 gallons that a consumer car burns, since the larger engine size consumes more. Idling adds up fast, particularly when truckers idle at rest stops for hours on end — indeed, according to one estimate, rest stop idling burns 1.1 billion gallons of fuel every year.
Idling also increases total emissions, as well as engine wear — leading to extra maintenance costs down the line.
4. Stay Tuned Up
If your vehicle is out of tune or has failed an emissions test, getting the engine tuned up might boost your fuel economy.
5. Keep Tires Inflated
When a truck's tires are under-inflated, they don't do their job as well, and the vehicle burns more gas to compensate.
6. Get More Efficient Routes
Dan Lewis, CEO of digital freight matching company Convoy, thinks inefficiency is the biggest problem facing truckers today.
7. Cool It with the A/C
The fuel used by blasting a vehicle's air conditioning has been well studied in cars, though the literature is sparse for trucks. Consumer Reports has the definitive test for Honda Accords: they drove one at 65 mph while running the A/C and determined that the air conditioner cut into fuel mileage by 3%. Interestingly, they also tried running the Honda at 65 mph with the windows rolled down and found the effect on fuel usage was “not measurable.”
8. Ditch Extra Weight
A full truckload burns more fuel than an empty truck. One Canadian report estimates that a truck that reduces its weight by 110 pounds would save $490 in fuel across 124,274 miles.
9. Turn Down the Heat
Will running a fuel-powered heating system for a truck burn enough fuel to put a dent in your bottom line? Not really. But you can try, if you must.
Make Positive Thinking A Habit.
1. Separate Fact From Fiction
The first step in learning to focus on the positive requires knowing how to stop negative self-talk in its tracks. The more you ruminate on negative thoughts, the more power you give them. Most of our negative thoughts are just that — thoughts, not facts.
When you find yourself believing the negative and pessimistic things your inner voice says, it’s time to stop and write them down. Literally stop what you’re doing and write down what you’re thinking. Once you’ve taken a moment to slow down the negative momentum of your thoughts, you will be more rational and clear-headed in evaluating their veracity. Evaluate these statements to see if they’re factual. You can bet the statements aren’t true any time you see words like never, always, worst, ever, etc.
Do you really always lose your keys? Of course not. Perhaps you forget them frequently, but most days you do remember them. Are you never going to find a solution to your problem? If you really are that stuck, maybe you’ve been resisting asking for help. Or if it really is an intractable problem, then why are you wasting your time beating your head against the wall? If your statements still look like facts once they’re on paper, take them to a friend or colleague you can trust, and see if he or she agrees with you. Then the truth will surely come out.
When it feels like something always or never happens, this is just your brain’s natural threat tendency inflating the perceived frequency or severity of an event. Identifying and labeling your thoughts as thoughts by separating them from the facts will help you escape the cycle of negativity and move toward a positive new outlook.
2. Identify A Positive
Once you snap yourself out of self-defeating, negative thoughts, it’s time to help your brain learn what you want it to focus on — the positive.
This will come naturally after some practice, but first you have to give your wandering brain a little help by consciously selecting something positive to think about. Any positive thought will do to refocus your brain’s attention. When things are going well, and your mood is good, this is relatively easy. When things are going poorly, and your mind is flooded with negative thoughts, this can be a challenge. In these moments, think about your day and identify one positive thing that happened, no matter how small. If you can’t think of something from the current day, reflect on the previous day or even the previous week. Or perhaps there is an exciting event you are looking forward to that you can focus your attention on.
The point here is you must have something positive that you’re ready to shift your attention to when your thoughts turn negative. Step one stripped the power from negative thoughts by separating fact from fiction. Step two is to replace the negative with a positive. Once you have identified a positive thought, draw your attention to that thought each time you find yourself dwelling on the negative. If that proves difficult, you can repeat the process of writing down the negative thoughts to discredit their validity, and then allow yourself to freely enjoy positive thoughts.
3. Cultivate An Attitude Of Gratitude
Taking time to contemplate what you’re grateful for isn’t merely the “right” thing to do; it reduces the stress hormone cortisol by 23%. Research conducted at the University of California, Davis, found that people who worked daily to cultivate an attitude of gratitude experienced improved mood, energy and substantially less anxiety due to lower cortisol levels.
You cultivate an attitude of gratitude by taking time out every day to focus on the positive. Any time you experience negative or pessimistic thoughts, use this as a cue to shift gears and think about something positive. In time, a positive attitude will become a way of life.
Truck Driver Shortage and How Can We Fix It
Throughout the past decade, the trucking industry has struggled with a shortage of truck drivers. The driver shortage affects the entire economy, as over 68% of all freight is moved on U.S. highways. And with the shortage increasing driver pay, it can have a significant impact on supplier costs and therefore consumer pricing. It can also increase shipping delays and shortage at stores.
In this article, we will discuss the largest factors affecting the shortage and what the industry is doing to fix the problem.
Demographics – Age and Gender
One of the largest issues influencing the driver shortage is the demographic of the current workforce, primarily age, and gender. The trucking industry relies heavily on male employees, 45 years of age or older.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average age of a commercial truck driver in the U.S. is 55 years old. With an alarming amount of these drivers retiring within the next 10-20 years, we are quickly approaching a dangerous cliff. A cliff that, if fallen off of, will hit the industry hard if new, younger workers aren’t hired into the industry. This has proved to be difficult, though, as the Federal requirement states you must be 21 years old to hold an Interstate Commercial Divers License. This leaves a 3-year post-high school gap, where possible employees become distracted by new employment opportunities.
Another major demographic issue is that the industry is really only tapping into a little over half of the workforce population. Women make up 47% of the nation’s workforce but only account for 6% of commercial truck drivers. The problem here is changing the stereotype that the trucking industry is a macho job, for macho men. To better convince women that they are welcome, carriers need to make it clear that women are not only wanted but needed in the truck driver career pool.
The Truck Driver Lifestyle
The next topic that’s important to address is the lifestyle of a truck driver. For many, this lifestyle isn’t ideal and steers people away from even considering a career as a truck driver. Most drivers, when new to the industry, are assigned to routes that keep them on the road for extended periods of time, returning home only a few times a month. Adapting to living in a truck, and showering at rest areas can be difficult.
Being on the road non-stop also limits the driver’s options when it comes to nutrition. No one can binge on fast food and gas station snacks without some health consequences. Not to mention, combine that kind of eating with the sedentary lifestyle of a truck driver and the pounds will keep packing on. This high calorie, high sugar diet can lead to major health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and digestive issues.
Sleep deprivation is another chronic problem truck drivers face. With the pressure to get their freight to its destination as quickly as possible, drivers often skip sleep breaks. This not only affects the driver physically but mentally as well. Mental fogginess, poor judgment, and forgetfulness are all side effects which can make drivers more prone to accidents.
How to Solve the Truck Driver Shortage
Due to the complexity of the driver shortage, there is no one solution. Below are a few marketplace responses and potential policy solutions that could reduce the driver shortage:
• Increase Driver Pay – Just as we are experiencing now with gas prices, the natural market reaction when there is a shortage of a good or service is to increase the price. In this scenario, that price would be truck driver wages. Most carriers have been offering pay increases, coupled with a comprehensive benefits package and 401(k)/tuition reimbursement options.
• Decrease Time on the Road – Increasing time at home and decreasing time on the road, can take so many of those “lifestyle” issues out of the equation. With the LTL hub & spoke system and increased distribution centers, this makes LTL more desirable by decreasing the average length-of-haul and keeping our truckers more localized.
• Lower Regulated Driving Age – The 18-20-year-old group has the highest rate of unemployment of any age bracket. Having the age minimum of a commercial truck driver set at 21 eliminates a large pool of competent workers from filling open positions.
• Target Minorities, Women and Veterans – To effectively address the driver shortage, trucking companies should look for ways to entice more women, minorities, and veterans. Minorities and Women are an overwhelmingly under-represented group within the trucking industry. Veterans is another source of “low-hanging fruit” as many are looking to transition into fulfilling careers.
• Autonomous Trucking – With the advanced technology autonomous trucking brings, along with the benefits of reducing daily driving stress and boredom, it’s sure to attract young, tech-savvy drivers to the industry.
• Utilizing Less that Truckload Shipping – On the Road (OTR) and full-truckload (FTL) shipping methods are where the majority of the driver shortage takes place, as these methods require a lot of time on the road and that hard truck driver lifestyle. LTL and parcel driver’s, on the other hand, come home every night.
Currently, we have a driver shortage of 48,000 and when aligning these numbers with freight forecasts, we could have a shortage of 330,000 drivers by 2024. If carriers start thinking more strategically about untapped workforce pools and continue to offer comprehensive benefit packages with competitive pay, we can fix this problem. Another option is to focus your shipping needs on less than truckload shipping, where driver’s are given shorter, more localized routes, allowing them to come home each night.
What makes the best dispatcher?
The best dispatcher must be able to coordinate trip schedules, manage routes, and handle calls and requests from operators, third-party vendors, and their supervisors. They must make decisions confidently and have the knowledge to support them. Superior communication skills are essential as a trucking dispatcher. You can move without a dispatcher but it is like Batman without Robin. In order to take on controlled chaos, you will need a solid team!