The trucker shortage is a major issue that has been discussed at length over the last few years. For reasons ranging from job dissatisfaction to overregulation, current trajectories suggest that the shortage could go as high as six figures by 2024, a major source of concern indeed. If this trend doesn’t change, there could be a variety of side effects that will be felt throughout the entire shipping industry, trickling down the supply chain to the end consumers. A lack of truckers could mean small-to-midsize companies aren’t able to service the accounts they need, potentially losing business. Fewer trucking companies mean delays for shipments, which means higher prices for perishable goods and other items.
With the stakes this high, it’s important that professionals across the shipping industry find ways to entice new faces to the trucking industry, as well as retain current truckers on the road. Federal incentives and pay increases haven’t had enough of an effect to change the current course. As a result, more focus needs to be given on improving the job experience. This is where digitization makes the difference.
The first point that needs to be made when it comes to putting together digitalization across different shipping companies is making sure there’s a tangible end effect from the user. For example, analytics software is quite useful in decision-making at a high level, but it can be difficult to communicate to your truckers on the ground how things are benefiting them. This is part of the reason why some veteran truckers are leaving the industry: a feeling that new technology is being implemented essentially for no reason.
However, this is far from the truth. Companies just need to do a better job of helping truckers and potential truckers understand how this technology benefits them. For example, tools like trip optimization not only help the bottom line of the company, but maximize the time of the truckers. This means a lighter schedule, which is very important, considering the schedule is one of the main reasons people opt not to get into the industry, despite the pay.
Along with this, the advent of technology and optimization is a key part in getting different demographics to join the trucking industry. Statistically speaking, your average trucking demographic skews towards older, established drivers. This is part of the shortage, with older truckers leaving faster than newer drivers can get started. Using technology to cut down on wasted driving as well as improve communications between carriers and suppliers is a better draw for a more tech driven youth movement. To give you a bit of perspective, truckers lose $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion in income every year due to wait time. Any method to cut down on this is key to growing the industry.
This is where Hwy Haul comes in, a digital platform designed to change the way loads are moved across the US, from the largest shipping companies to smaller mom-n-pop shops. Hwy Haul offers a comprehensive solution to address the issues like freight matching, real time load tracking, trip optimization and document management. With auto-match and real-time freight-tracking, you don’t need to waste time trying to communicate back and forth between suppliers and carriers to figure out what’s happening with your freight. In addition, this is essential for reducing empty miles and increasing driver income and job satisfaction. Making workflow easier for truckers is key for keeping the team you do have happy and productive.
Our goal is to Connect Shippers to Truckers – Seamlessly! If you’re interested in learning more about Hwy Haul, contact us.
