2023 Has Brought Some New Trucking Trends

From driver safety to self-driving trucks, there are plenty of trucking trends to learn about in 2023. Some of them are positive, some are negative; all of them have required the trucking industry to make adjustments in order to keep moving forward. Trends like the rise of self-driving trucks have repeatedly been featured on mainstream news outlets, while topics like driver safety and shortages are also covered on sites like Truck Driver News. Wherever you happen to get your trucking industry news from, it's clear that there's a lot going on. If you want a summary of the top trucking trends in 2023, just keep reading!

Electronic Logging Devices

Truck drivers have to maintain accurate logs to track information like break times, routes, how many miles/hours were driven per day, and when/where they encountered delays. For years, all of this information and more was written down by hand; this added up to a lot of time for drivers, and was also more likely to contain errors. However, increasing numbers of trucking companies have started using electronic logging devices. Some of the data is still entered manually, but much of it is recorded automatically, saving time and reducing errors.

Advanced Technology

Technological advancements in the trucking industry aren't limited to electronic logs. These are a couple of the most popular technologies that are used in the trucking industry.

• GPS systems that not only find the best routes, but also adjust as needed when delays are detected. This prevents drivers from getting stuck in traffic, or accidentally going down the wrong road and not realizing it until miles later.
• Telematics that combine GPS technology with tracking/monitoring devices. This helps trucking companies track vehicles with real-time data, monitor their drivers' behavior, and dispatch/manage deliveries more efficiently.

Rising Cost of Fuel

This is among the trucking industry's largest operating costs, so any fluctuation in gas prices will have an impact on profit margins. Since the cost of fuel has been steadily rising, shipping costs are also increasing, and trucking companies are doing their best to save money in other areas to minimize the impact for customers.

Change in Locations

Some of the largest trucking companies in the US have been headquartered in the same spots for decades. However, some of them are thinking about relocating due to changing business environments. This would bring access to more talent, and probably save them money in the long term as well.

Ecommerce Influence

Before the rise of ecommerce, consumers mainly bought items from retailers rather than online. From the shipping side of things, this meant that goods were delivered as bulk shipments to retailers, rather than individual packages to consumers. However, the popularity of ecommerce has produced a shift, from fewer big shipments to many smaller ones. There's also more pressure to fulfill promised shipping times; with some platforms offering next-day delivery, that's a challenge to keep up with. Not only has this changed the logistical aspect of shipping, but many companies have decided to add more small trucks to their fleets.

Sustainability

Along the same lines, trucking companies have shown increasing interest in sustainable initiatives. This is especially appropriate because the trucking industry generates extremely high carbon emissions, given that it's based on countless fleets of trucks that travel the country 24/7. Electric trucks are one way to reduce carbon emissions, but there are alternatives to this as well. For example, some trucking companies have started investing in renewable energy, which offsets their emissions. They may also start recycling programs, use more fuel-efficient vehicles, or use cleaner-burning alternative fuels like hydrogen or propane.

Autonomous Vehicles

Some people can't wait for the day when fully autonomous vehicles are available for the trucking industry; others dread the impact these trucks will have on millions of drivers' jobs. There are definitely pros and cons to self-driving trucks, but the vast majority of driving jobs aren't currently in jeopardy from these vehicles. There have been limited deployments of autonomous trucks for long-haul freeway journeys, but the technology isn't advanced enough to enable fully autonomous driving under all conditions. Autonomous vehicles may be an exciting new trend, but it won't be fully realized until years from now.

Driver Safety

According to statistics, being a truck driver isn't the safest of jobs. Part of this is from the risks that come with driving at high speeds for hours every day, but it can also be attributed to the pressure that drivers face from employers to prioritize efficiency over safety. As a result of increasing calls for this to change, some trucking companies have started implementing safety-related technology, and raising their safety standards.

Electric Trucks

Electric vehicles aren't just for environmentally conscious individuals; they're also used by the trucking industry. Although they're only in limited use, the trend has been gaining more traction lately. Even though producing many components of electric vehicles generates more waste compared to standard vehicles, proponents of the technology point to the trucks' lower carbon emissions once they're on the road. Trucking companies are certainly interested in the idea that electric trucks can be cheaper to operate. There's also the fact that these vehicles are quieter compared to gas-powered trucks, which makes them the preferred choice for late-night deliveries. A few major companies have already started using electric trucks, and more are likely to follow.

Driver Shortages

According to experts, the trucking industry lacks as many as 80,000 drivers. This is due to several different factors, including:

• Low pay rates
• Less-than-ideal working conditions
• A high turnover rate
• Increased regulations

To try to turn this around, some companies are starting to raise their rates, offer more reasonable hours, and ensure that vehicles are more comfortable. However, if driver shortages are going to be fully resolved, the issues causing the shortages will have to be addressed by more than just a few companies.

The Takeaway

This year has been full of surprises for the trucking industry. There are definitely plenty of challenges to work through, but there's a lot to look forward to as well.