The trucking industry is prone to changes due to new technologies, customer demands, and environmental concerns. 2024 will change how the trucking industry operates, focusing on increasing efficiency, connectivity, and sustainability. Advanced digital technology will be present in every aspect. In addition, we share the top trends that will reshape the trucking industry and change it for the better.
Shared freight
The need to optimize the load is on the rise, so collaborative shipping is one of the solutions. Through the use of collaborative networks and digital technology, stakeholders can share resources and shipping capacity. This concept will use digital platforms and marketplaces to connect carriers, shippers, and other parties more efficiently and reduce empty miles.
Green trucking
As sustainability is a trend that has made its way into every industry, it reshapes trucking as one of the impactful ones. Commercial trucking operations result in an increased carbon footprint, so the efforts are directed at minimizing the environmental impact. Alternative fuels are the base of green trucking, followed by fuel efficiency. Electric and hybrid truck models will reduce emissions and contribute to efficiency. Hydrogen-powered trucks are another trend that focuses on sustainability.
Trucking invoice management
Invoice management in Trucking is essential, allowing the billing and payment process to run smoothly. Strong communication, technology, and standardized procedures will improve the process.
Trucking analytics
Analyzing the trucking statistics helps gain valuable insights and make better decisions. The telematics data analysis provides detailed info about the vehicle, fuel consumption, driver behavior, and condition. This system can help increase fuel efficiency, enhance safety, and improve fleet management.
Fleet management
Effective fleet management practices are beneficial for the business. Despite improving efficiency, they reduce costs, increase safety, reduce environmental impact, and aid the data-driven decision-making process.
Autonomous trucks
Self-driving trucks will bring considerable changes to the industry. These vehicles are equipped with sensors, AI, and connectivity technologies to transport the goods to the final destination. At the current level of development, autonomous trucks require input from the driver and help them during the work process.
Last mile transportation
The final mile delivery is the last step of the process. It is essential because the delivery is the most challenging part and directly impacts customer satisfaction. Implementing various types of vehicles, optimizing routes, delivery drivers, shipment tracking, and delivery lockers are some critical components of last-mile transportation that will improve it.
On-demand trucking
On-demand trucking resembles the Uber concept, where shippers can pick up trucks according to their needs in real time. The clients can use mobile apps to select full truckload freight directly from local trucking companies.
The digital platforms allow complete transparency with pricing, reviews, tracking, and documentation. This helps optimize the routes and access a broader network of carriers.
Automation and robotics
Advanced automation, AI, and robotics will drive changes in the trucking industry. These advancements will replace the manual tasks that had to be done by workers, which saves money, improves efficiency, and leaves less room for error. Some challenges companies will face when implementing these concepts are significant initial investments, technical challenges, increasing unemployment, and legal issues.
Sensors
In trucking, sensors can help with different issues. They provide data for the decision-making process but also aid automation systems. On the other hand, the industry faces specific challenges when implementing sensors in the working processes. The need for calibration, high costs, interference that affects performance, and data privacy are some of the concerns.
Another trend in freight management is the acceleration of adaptation to supply chain disruptions. This is also a key aspect in 2024. And in a time of geopolitical instability, this is not an easy task. Many companies have experienced this in their operations as the global transport and logistics system changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then there was Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. And now the situation in Palestine and the Red Sea is complicated. This calls into question many planned projects related to transport and logistics within the Middle East. Companies such as Shipstage https://shipstage.com/ are already using technical innovations of artificial intelligence and quantum computing in their planning, which greatly simplify the project development system and help the optimisation process. But of course, the latest technologies still cannot take into account all geopolitical risks in the process of global long-term planning, particularly in the freight market.