By: Nick Hufnagel
In: Marketing
2023, January 30

Future Trends in the Trucking Industry?

The need for better transportation solutions and improved industry technology continues to grow. The COVID-19 pandemic showed how many businesses rely on convenient and no-contact delivery methods, fast shipping, and innovative systems. Trucking and transportation companies can learn about future industry trends to stay ahead of their competition.

It is always good to consider how your business can strengthen its client relationships and implement growing trends. Transportation and logistics leaders recognize how they can use newly improved technology and industry-favored systems to improve their businesses. At Kavkaz Express, we expect to see the following eight trucking industry trends rise in popularity.

1. The Rise of E-Commerce

Many people favor shopping online for clothes, groceries, and everyday household items instead of the traditional brick-and-mortar store. Online shopping is easy, convenient, and does not require consumers to leave their houses. This rise in online consumerism emphasizes the need for more trucks, faster shipping, and warehousing.

One of the most expanding trucking industry trends is e-commerce, so trucking industry companies will want to answer to these demands. E-commerce brings the need for more workers who will stay at their jobs. Businesses should keep these opportunities from slipping away as they emerge.

2. Fewer Shipping Backlogs

The transportation and logistics industry is finally catching up on its shipping container backlog. Heavy congestion due to the backlog has delayed transport, requiring President Biden's administration to take action and assist. Fortunately, the backlogs are decreasing and resulting in drivers wasting less time.

In the future, backlogs will decrease further and create smoother working conditions for truckers and shipping professionals. The workload is currently more manageable and will only get better with time.

3. The Network Effect

The network effect requires numerous trading partners to communicate through a cloud-based system. Businesses can better predict load efficiency, trucking routes, and ETAS with more entities on the platform. When companies successfully achieve the network effect, they are simultaneously making efforts to be more sustainable, wasting fewer trucks and energy emissions.

4. Time Slot Management

Many companies and leaders in the transportation and logistics industry aim to increase productivity. Trucking companies can make warehouse operations run more smoothly with time slot management. Workers can prepare for incoming trucks better because they will know arrival times, the paperwork they need to sign, and who they will meet.

Staying organized keeps shipping and receiving activities on time and wastes fewer resources. Delays or rescheduled appointments can stem from heavy traffic or other unforeseen circumstances. However, time slot management minimizes the impact of such unexpected changes.

5. Higher Demand for Zero-Emission Transportation

The world increasingly emphasizes reducing CO2 emissions and creating a greener planet for everyone's well-being. A leading trucking business may want to implement zero-emission transportation efforts. Since the transport industry significantly impacts pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, it is almost unavoidable for companies to make solid efforts and do better.

6. Trucking Part Shortages

The past couple of years has brought harsh market conditions and shortages from which many truck drivers are still recovering. While the industry is improving, logistics and trucking professionals will continue to feel its effects. Businesses require necessary trucking supplies to upgrade their existing systems and vehicles.

Companies must continue their work with limited part shortages and may have to wait to improve their trucks. Fortunately, it will not last forever, and conditions will improve over time.

7. Autonomous Trucks and Deliveries

Autonomous trucks are a newer tool that companies use to improve their shipping experience. The lead and follower trucks have a person on them who oversees their safety and routes. Drivers can transport large quantities of goods and reach destinations with ease.

Constant communication and smart technology make this efficient platooning possible. However, autonomous trucks aren't the only innovation the trucking industry enjoys. Robots and drones carry out the last-mile delivery needs of a business while prioritizing better customer service.

None of these autonomous technologies are completely human-free, as they all require the assistance of a live person. Someone operates the drone, robot, or automated follower truck as they have yet to be capable of independent work. Many companies enjoy their benefits.

8. Digital Mobile-Based Training

Companies are offering small, easy-to-digest learning opportunities for workers through their smartphones. While the world has become familiar with Zoom and other computer-learning tools, the trucking industry learned that these methods are less popular.

Workers do not have to carve out awkward pockets of time to learn new skills or training material because the resources are at their fingertips.

At Kavkaz Express, we are a growing carrier in the United States that aims to make transporting goods and deliveries easier. Drivers, brokers, and shippers can contact our team to see how we can improve your trucking business. Call us at (303) 532-5955.