Growing pains are a reality in every industry, and expedited freight is no exception. As the market evolves and public policy changes, trucking companies of all stripes must adapt or risk going out of business. The American Transport Research Institute (ATRI) recently published a report on the challenges that carriers must deal with going forward.The following five challenges are among the most serious, and require careful attention from the start:
1. Driver Demographics
Drivers have always been the single most critical element for success in trucking. The fact that the current population of truck drivers is aging, then, is some of the most important trucking news of the modern world. As older drivers retire, trucking companies are struggling to recruit young employees to take their place, raising the risk that they simply won’t have enough people to complete their shipments.
To address this problem, the ATRI has created a tool that test new drivers' skills. Known as the “young driver assessment tool,” this will allow carriers to quickly vet younger drivers and get them working. But even this only helps trucking companies evaluate drivers who are already interested in working for them. To fully overcome this problem, companies have to become better at attracting new drivers in the first place.
2. Overworked Operators
Drivers have long worked well past the legal limit, and now that the Federal government has introduced the Electronic Logging Mandate, trucking companies will be penalized if they allow this to continue. Carriers thus have to crack down on drivers who work for more than 11 hours without resting, all while continuing to complete each delivery on time and affordably. Achieving so many goals at once is no easy task.
3. Truck Parking
Truck drivers often have few places to park, leading many of them to station their trucks in spots that are unsafe or illegal. Not only does this create legal liabilities for their employers, but it threatens the safety of the products they’re shipping. Carriers thus have to get drivers to document how they park and swiftly correct those who park illegally or unsafely.
4. Driver Retention
Trucking companies are suffering form high turnover rates, disrupting their operations and forcing them to spend time and money replacing their drivers. To combat this issue, they must do a better job of caring for their drivers. This means not just paying them well, but also providing them with support on the road. Improved vetting may also lower turnover rates; if carriers limit themselves to hiring loyal, committed employees, they increase the likelihood that those new hires will stay for the long haul.
5. Congested Routes
Demand for shipping services has grown faster than available infrastructure, forcing more trucks to compete for the same amount of road space. This slows service while compromising safety. This issue can’t be fully resolved until Federal, state, and local governments invest more money in infrastructure. But in the meantime, carriers can plan routes more carefully so as to avoid areas plagued by high congestion.
For all the latest expedited freight news, visit ExpeditedFreight.com today.
Related Blog Posts
Tesla, Navista Compete To Unveil The Leading Electric Trucks
Tesla has long billed itself as the leader in advanced and sustainable vehicles. But when it comes to electric trucks, the company is at risk of being upstaged.
Expedited Freight Quote
A freight quote is an estimate provided by a carrier or third-party logistics provider that outlines the cost of transporting goods from one location to another. It’s based on a variety of factors, including the weight and dimensions of the shipment, the distance between pickup and delivery locations, and the chosen method of transportation.
THE RISE OF EXPEDITED FREIGHT JOBS
In today's fast-paced logistics world, getting things delivered on time is very important for both businesses and consumers. With the increasing demand for rapid delivery services, expedited freight has become an essential component of the supply chain.
Industries We Serve
Modern day hot shot trucking provides the speed and exclusivity you need to meet the most demanding and time-sensitive shipping requirements. We use every resource, avenue, and channel available to ship your freight by ground or air. Designed specifically to address supply and distribution problems that arise without warning, hotshot trucking tactics involve coordinating a network of carriers in a variety of locations. By calling on the vehicles closest to your supply or distribution points, hotshot brokers can fill any sudden gaps in your supply network almost as soon as they happen. This minimizes the disruption to your business and allows you to quickly return to ordinary operations, weathering the storm without skipping a beat.
Automotive
The automotive supply chain already has significant challenges. Don’t let malfunctioning equipment stop the production line. Step on the gas with HotShotTrucking.com’s suite of services that will get you back in the fast lane. With HotShotTrucking.com, companies are devising shipping strategies to swiftly deliver critical parts and equipment — whether it's ground expedite service with sprinter vans, box trucks and 53-foot tractor trailers or air freight and air cargo.
Aviation & Aerospace
Every moment a commercial airliner sits on the ground, it costs an airline money. Expedited freight services by HotShotTrucking.com can get you back in the air with prompt delivery of parts and equipment throughout North America. We are equipped with the expertise to navigate the complexities of shipping jet engines and other types of loads, and our network of hot shot drivers has extensive experience transporting aviation assets.
Construction
One shipping delay can snowball and cause delays throughout your entire project. You need an experienced 3PL provider who understands the construction industry and has the logistical reach to deliver your freight on time, anywhere. That 3PL partner is HotShotTrucking.com. Whether in the air or on the ground via truck and trailer, we can connect companies to expedited freight services for the prompt delivery of parts and equipment throughout North America.
Mining & Metals
From cranes to chemicals to excavators to conveyor belts, HotShotTrucking.com has the experience and industry know-how required for shipping sensitive, oversized, and hazardous equipment. Third-party hot shot trucking and logistics providers such as HotShotTrucking.com specialize in devising and implementing innovative shipping solutions, ensuring mines can swiftly return to operation. We’ll pick up your shipment, deliver it to the airport and receive it at the other end – providing hand-carried service as necessary or required.
Manufacturing
Every moment a manufacturing facility or factory sits idle costs a company money because of the high costs involved. With many manufacturers building to only just-in-time production rates, any disruption threatens parts and vehicle inventories. This is where the speed and expertise of freight services from HotShotTrucking.com can make a difference throughout the entire manufacturing supply chain. We do all the logistical legwork to find the optimal solution for your job, whether it's an exclusive air charter or expedited ground shipping.
Telecommunications
From servers to cell towers, information, voice, and data must flow to keep businesses, production, and the public online and connected. When equipment goes dark, depend on HotShotTrucking.com to get your systems flashing green again. This is where the speed and experience of trucking and freight services from HotShotTrucking.com can help. Our hot shot truck network excels at the prompt delivery of parts and equipment throughout North America.
Oil & Gas
The oil and gas industry faces challenging conditions in offshore and onshore oil rigs, often in remote locations with limited infrastructure. Don’t let oil pumps or pipelines sit idle waiting for equipment. By having the right plans, parts, people, and logistics partner like HotShotTrucking.com, you can effectively mitigate plant or pump downtime, unscheduled disruptions, and equipment failures.
Cost of Urgent Shipping
Which of our specialized shipping services best fits your needs?
Blog and Resource Center
How AirFreight.com Solved a PGA Tour Shipping Emergency
Learn how AirFreight.com located a lost shipment and helped save the PGA Golf Tour.
How AirFreight.com Saved The Farm By Solving A Major Shipping Delay
Learn how we saved a Montana-based artisanal farm thousands of dollars by expediting a shipment of perishable goods.
Expedited Shipping Vendor Comparison
We’ve done the research for you. This vendor comparison sheet breaks down how AirFreight.com stacks up against the competition.
talk to an expeditor now
Get a Quote in Minutes for Your Time Critical Freight Needs
GET A QUOTE
Call (800) 704-7145