The trucking tech stack, part 1: Top tools for the road
This article is part one of a two-part series exploring the evolving trucking tech stack, or the widening array of industry-specific technology available to fleets. Part one focuses on tools designed for the road. Next week, part two will touch on tools for the back office.
No matter what line of business you’re in, having the right tools of the trade is crucial. In today’s fast-moving trucking industry, though, keeping up with the latest and greatest is easier said than done.
With this in mind, our team at Vector, a provider of integrated logistics workflow tools, set out to map the growing range of technical offerings at the disposal of drivers, carriers and other supply chain stakeholders. The upshot: it’s a busy space, but one that offers vast opportunities for industry players willing to invest time and resources in modernizing day-to-day processes.
Here, our breakdown of six essential technologies for the road.
1. On-board safety cameras
Looming large in the realm of limiting on-the-road liability for trucking companies are increasingly sophisticated on-board camera technologies. Fleets not only use them to protect themselves from blame, but to prevent issues from arising by augmenting driver visibility or by encouraging better driving behavior.
San Diego-based Lytx advertises more extensive “video fleet management” that pairs camera footage with telematics data. Competitor SmartDrive, meanwhile, offers a similar combination that the company says can help shield drivers and carriers from potentially-costly accidents and lawsuits. Others, such as industry stalwart PeopleNet, and relative newcomer KeepTruckin have also entered the space with their own video intelligence offerings.
2. Waving you through weigh stations
Bypassing weigh stations is a major potential time-saver for drivers.
That’s why companies like DriveWyze offer pre-clearance to bypass hundreds of stations nationwide. The public-private collaboration PrePass is another example of a service that offers expedited travel for drivers or companies with strong prior safety records.
3. Proof of delivery — delivered faster
With HOS enforcement in full effect, driver hours are more limited than ever. Mobile workflow and scanning apps give drivers the flexibility of avoiding unnecessary detours or pit stops while sidestepping any delays in getting paperwork back to the accounting team. Offering modern tools also make fleets more attractive when recruiting younger drivers and back office personnel.
Vector’s own LoadDocs app is among the mobile tools now available that allow drivers to scan and digitally transmit proof of delivery documents from anywhere, cutting the time it takes for both carriers and drivers to get paid.
4. Showing drivers the money
For the casual driver, something like paying for gas might seem routine. Not so for professional truck drivers, who must often be ready to shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars on fuel, washouts, lumpers and scales. Historically, drivers had to deal with fleet checks or company cards that required additional processes burdening the driver and back office.
Many of those same companies behind fleet checks or company cards, such as Wex and Comdata, are now offering mobile apps that streamline payments. Using mobile apps, drivers and back office staff are more productive and happier, focusing on their core responsibilities versus getting payments approved.
5. Keeping track of trailers
ELDs have dominated headlines for the past few years, but the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is another significant rule that deserves attention. Telematics discussions have often focused on the cab and driver, but due to a variety of factors, including the FSMA, trailers are now as connected as the cab.
Samsara, a provider of a range of fleet management products, emphasizes its “helicopter view” offering real-time location and control of trailer temperatures. Competitor Fleetmatics, meanwhile, was acquired by Verizon as part of a play to better integrate GPS solutions often scattered throughout a vehicle.
6. Life after Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
The subject of ELDs has been covered ad nauseum. With implementation largely completed for the majority of fleets, the conversion to digitized driver logs has cast a spotlight on the inefficiencies of other paper-driven workflows performed by the driver. Whether they be DVIRs or more custom workflows such as trip sheets or pay sheets, fleets have begun digitizing more and more of their workflows.
As a result, workflow-focused tools like Vector’s LoadDocs mobile app can be heavily customized to streamline a fleet’s existing processes without requiring massive re-training. Whether they are customized DVIR processes, trip sheet or pay sheet related, LoadDocs unlocks full digitization of a driver’s end-to-end duties.
