The trucking industry has undergone some significant changes in the past couple of years and continues to do so. The trucking industry is integral to our nation’s economy– and the world’s. It has been since the 1930s. With all of the success that the trucking industry has brought us, it has problems as well. Many of these technological solutions seek to solve these problems. Let’s talk about the future of the trucking industry and what we have to look forward to.
Autonomous Trucks
Autonomous trucks are trucks that drive themselves. Many truckers fear that autonomous trucks mean the end of their jobs. However, as with any new technology, experts predict that autonomous trucks will bring about a transitional period for truckers. Drivers may move to supervisory roles instead of driving roles or may handle local deliveries.
However, these shifts won’t be happening soon. Even when autonomous trucks hit the road, they'll still require drivers behind the wheel for a while. When it is time for the transition, there will be massive upfront costs that some fleets may not be ready for. However, once implemented, these vehicles could save up to $300 billion for fleets nationwide.
Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Many fleets are trying to go greener. Unfortunately, the costs for fleets to go greener are not yet there. Diesel trucks can go over 1,000 miles without having to refuel. However, an electric semi can only go 300 to 500 miles. These vehicles would need more batteries to go farther on a single charge, weighing down the truck even more. Therefore, although electric fuel vehicles are a hot topic of conversation, their implementation is still far in the future. It would take longer to make deliveries, and electric fueling stations aren't always en route to certain areas.
However, a new ruling by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has determined that fleet managers must have more efficient trucks. Any trailers with model years from 2018-2027 must meet specific performance standards. They estimate the nation will save up to 2 billion barrels of oil under this program– that’s $170 billion. This program will also potentially reduce emissions by 1.1 billion metric tons.
Truck Safety Standards
New truck safety standards are much nearer than alternative fuel vehicles and autonomous trucks. You may have already seen features like forward collision alerts and stability control systems. We must adapt to new technologies that are on their way.
For example, we now have sensors to prevent truckers from rollovers and jackknifing. These are two of the most serious types of trucking accidents. Investing in these sensors would not only protect your drivers, but it would save your fleet from costly court proceedings and payouts.
Driver-facing dashcams have also become popular among fleets. These dashcams can connect with telematics to track driver behavior and keep drivers safe. These technology solutions benefit drivers and fleet managers alike, and many are already available.
Keep Up with the Latest in Fleet Technology
Azuga is here to help you keep up with the latest fleet technology. Our state-of-the-art fleet management solution is always up to date with the latest features available to keep your fleet functioning at top performance. Reach out to one of our experts to see how we can support your fleet business in meeting your goals.
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