2024 State of Trucking Research Report Available Now. Learn More.
A world without truck drivers is not a pretty world. Some would argue it isn’t even a very habitable world. The U.S. transportation system moves a daily average of about 53.6 million tons of freight—valued at over $54 billion.
If truck drivers stopped working, even for a day, the ramifications would be far-reaching
What would the world look like with no truck drivers?
It’s safe to say that no matter what year it is, the only thing for certain is uncertainty. This is especially true when assessing shipping challenges and global supply chains
Overall, the transportation industry is still facing some obstacles and the emergence of new trends that may disrupt the current state of affairs.
The environment faces heavy challenges due to the world’s constant evolution. But amidst these challenges, there’s a force moving us toward becoming more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
As the world moves towards a more eco-friendly and sustainable future, trucking businesses have a unique opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint, lower operational costs, and increase efficiency.
This article will explore a few easy and immediate strategies and initiatives you can apply to transform your trucking business into an eco-friendly operation that drives positive change benefiting both your company and the planet.
Improving the fuel efficiency of your vehicles can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. There are a few ways you can achieve this. You can invest in fuel-efficient vehicles or reconstruct existing ones with fuel-saving technologies – such as aerodynamic trailer designs, low-rolling resistance tires, and automatic engine shutdown systems.
Ensuring your engines run efficiently through regular maintenance, such as tire checks and oil changes, can also ensure optimal fuel efficiency. Well-maintained trucks operate more efficiently and consume less fuel with these regular tune-ups.
Moreover, training your drivers on fuel-efficient driving practices like avoiding excessive idling and maintaining consistent speeds can also help. Implementing and enforcing an idle reduction policy to minimize unnecessary engine idling can contribute to reduced consumed fuel and unnecessary emissions. Encouraging anti-idling policies and using auxiliary power units (APUs) while your drivers are on the road can be a major benefit to the environment. APUs provide power to the vehicle’s systems without the need to idle the main engine, thereby reducing fuel consumption.
Another option you might want to explore is using alternative fuels. For instance, you can switch to compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), or biodiesel. These fuels produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional diesel. As autonomous and electric trucks become more viable, they can significantly reduce your fleet’s carbon footprint.
Route optimization plays a crucial aspect in improving operational efficiency. It’s a strategic investment that enhances operational efficiency but contributes to cost savings, customer satisfaction, and overall business success.
One way you can achieve this is by implementing route optimization software. This software helps you plan the most efficient routes for your drivers, leading to fuel savings and faster deliveries, with real-time updates for more accurate estimated time of arrivals, improved workload distribution, and safety for drivers.
You may also want to consider using telematics systems and fleet management software to monitor driving behavior and maintenance schedules, track fuel efficiency, and provide real-time feedback to drivers. These tools can help you track fuel consumption, vehicle performance, and route efficiency and make necessary adjustments to optimize your fleet’s operations.
To maximize sustainable efficiency, optimizing your cargo loads is essential. This means ensuring your trucks carry the right amount of cargo without exceeding weight limits. By doing so, your vehicles can make the most of their transportation capacity and reduce the number of trips needed to transport goods. Further ensuring you save fuel and transportation expenses and conserve resources. Additionally, an effective strategy is implementing backhauling methods to reduce empty return trips and miles. And can optimize the use of available cargo space for both directions.
These strategies may include more of an investment of time and resources. If you need help getting started, consider the following:
Making your trucking business more environmentally friendly not only contributes to global sustainability goals but also positions your company as a responsible, forward-thinking, and competitive player in the industry. It also improves operational efficiency and reduces costs over the long term.
By implementing these practices over time, you can explore more advanced and long-term strategies for sustainability.
Want to keep up to date with the latest sustainable practices and industry trends? Check out our transportation industry trends library here.
Are you in need of qualified, experienced drivers for short-term relocation?
Our Mobile Driver service is ready to help. Our Mobile team can find safe, reliable drivers expertly matched to your unique business needs.
Ready to get started? Talk to our Mobile team today at centerlinedrivers.com/mobile-drivers
If trucks stopped moving even for a day, the impact would be felt by every single American. But sometimes you need a little help finding the perfect driver for local routes.
That’s where Centerline Drivers comes in
As a professional driver, you work daily on poorly maintained and overcrowded roads and highways. You often encounter other motorists who lack common courtesy, are distracted, or are compromised in some other way.
These behaviors are a breeding ground for aggressive driving. According to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, aggressive driving is defined as any unsafe driving behavior performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety.
When you are confronted with an aggressive driver or road rage, how should you respond?
In recent years, road accidents involving trucks have been on the rise, posing significant risks to both drivers and other road users.
Reports from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System showed fatalities increased more than 10% from 2020. Over 42,900 lives were lost—the highest total number recorded since 2005.
Our 2024 State of Trucking added to this worrying trend with a concerning 60% of drivers say they do not feel safe on the road today from everything from other drivers on the road to driving in unsafe areas.
Truck drivers, who spend long hours on the road, face unique safety challenges. Here are 6 ways to help reduce accidents.
Ensure you get enough sleep before hitting the road and take regular breaks during long journeys to combat fatigue. Follow regulations regarding hours of service to avoid driving while excessively tired.
Keep electronic devices out of reach while driving and avoid engaging in activities that divert your attention. But more than just your phone, eating or navigating can also pull your focus away from what’s happening on the road. Pull over to a safe location if you need to do any activity that requires your attention.
Conduct pre-trip inspections to check for any signs of wear or mechanical issues. Regular inspections are a proven way to avoid not only accident-causing issues on the road but also delays. Address any maintenance concerns quickly and ensure your vehicle is roadworthy before starting your journey.
It’s always a good idea to exercise caution when driving in adverse weather conditions. Reduce speed, increase following distance and use headlights and windshield wipers as needed to maintain visibility.
This should go without saying but always adhere to speed limits, maintain a safe following distance, and use turn signals when changing lanes or making turns. Avoid aggressive driving behaviors and prioritize safety over haste. This goes double for work zones.
Continuously scan the road for potential hazards, including other vehicles, pedestrians and road obstructions. Using the Smith System recommendations can help you stay alert and focused on the task of driving at all times.
As road accidents involving trucks continue to increase, truck drivers must prioritize safety and adopt proactive measures to mitigate risks on the road. By prioritizing safety on the road, you can help do your part to reduce
As a truck driver, it’s your job to keep things safe on the road. It’s not just a matter of making safety a priority, it’s your responsibility to uphold it.
The transportation landscape has shifted rapidly in the past few years and businesses are scrambling to keep up. Couple that with a driver shortage and you have a recipe for disaster. But Centerline is here to help.
And for many customers, our Mobile solution is the perfect fit for the challenges you face each day. But what is Mobile and how can it help your business?
This short guide dives into this unique solution and how our expert teams are ready to help you keep your business moving forward.
Every year, thousands of people die in vehicle crashes because they are not wearing a seat belt. In 2020, more than 38,000 people died on the road—a 7% increase from 2019. In that same year, in accidents involving commercial vehicles, nearly 5,000 people died and more than 146,000 were injured.
According to surveys conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, nearly 14% of all commercial motor vehicle drivers do not wear a seat belt. In fatal crashes, approximately 50% of large truck occupants who did not wear seat belts lost their lives.
Federal regulations require commercial vehicle drivers to buckle up. So why are drivers not using seat belts? Frankly, there are a lot of myths out there. Let’s set the record straight.
Ensuring safety and compliance with regulations is paramount for truck drivers. A good way to keep safety top of mind is to always (always!) conduct a pre-trip inspection. Inspections eliminate downtime, violations and mitigate incidents on the road.
Here are 5 quick tips to conduct your inspections with ease.
The best way to always be able to complete all the necessary inspection steps is to establish a consistent process. Knowing the step-by-step process backward and forward means you can complete your inspections faster and more efficiently each time.
Inspections are only useful if the vehicle defects or deficiencies are noted and corrected. It’s crucial that you notify someone if any problems are found so they can be fixed as soon as possible.
This is not the time to second guess. It’s okay (and a good idea!) to double-check or triple-check the pre or post-trip inspection items if you are unsure of what you previously checked. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
You are also an important part of the inspection process.
Ask yourself:
A clean and well-maintained truck not only reflects professionalism but also increases safety. Keep the exterior and interior of your truck clean and free from clutter. Ensure that cargo and loose items in your cab are properly secured.
By following these five easy tips, truck drivers can prepare effectively and increase their safety on the road.
Watch our pre-inspection video here.
At Centerline, our people make everything possible. Our Mobile Driver solution allows us to temporarily relocate experienced, reliable drivers to high-need markets and remote locations where the driver pool is small.
We spoke with Virginia Barragan, Manager of Mobile Services, to learn more about what makes Mobile different and how our team brings this unique solution to life.
I have nearly three decades of experience in transportation, with about half of that time dedicated to staffing. My journey began in the freight brokerage sector, overseeing operations for truckload, LTL, rail, OTR, and air freight. I invested numerous years in this industry, even owning my own brokerage firm for several years. Roughly two decades ago, I made the transition to Centerline, where I’ve been stationed, aside from a brief hiatus focused on startups within the staffing industry. I’m currently managing the mobile division for Centerline.
Our Mobile team has an amazing pool of drivers that we connect with jobs across the country.
Typically, we manage a pool of drivers between 100-150 on average during peak seasons.
Depending on client demands, our team could have close to 200 drivers operational at any given time.
The Mobile team dedicates itself to meticulously matching our drivers’ skill sets with our customers’ requirements. We ensure that our drivers possess the necessary experience and expertise to excel in their assignments. Our priority is to equip them with all pertinent information and details to ensure their success on-site with our clients.
Depending on client demands, our team could have various drivers with tanker, hazmat, flatbed, multiple-stop delivery, and over-the-road skills in our pool at any given time.
What I cherish most about collaborating with the Mobile team is our ability to offer job opportunities to our drivers. This isn’t just about work; it’s about supporting their families and ensuring their well-being. It’s incredibly rewarding to forge connections with these drivers, hear their stories, and match them with roles they genuinely enjoy. This aspect of our work holds immense power and impact.
I also find immense joy in being part of the Centerline team. The culture here, fostered by both the leadership and the Mobile team, is truly exceptional and unlike anything I’ve experienced elsewhere. There’s a remarkable willingness among our team members to support one another, our drivers, and our clients. We stand united to tackle challenges and ensure tasks are completed, and I believe this camaraderie reflects in the satisfaction of our drivers and customers.
The Mobile division at Centerline stands out for several reasons, with the exceptional quality of our drivers being paramount. Consistently, our customers highlight the professionalism and skill of our drivers as unparalleled in their experience. I’m proud to say that our team puts in considerable effort to recruit top talent in the industry. Moreover, our Mobile team distinguishes itself by going the extra mile in communication with both our customers and drivers. This dedication truly sets us apart and makes a significant difference in our service delivery.
One thing I really wish more people knew is just how dedicated our Mobile drivers are. Every single day, I witness their unwavering commitment to their roles and the immense dedication they bring to their jobs. These drivers sacrifice a lot, often spending weeks or even months away from their families while on assignments. Not only that, but they also face a wide array of challenges, constantly having to adapt to different types of assignments. One week they might be behind the wheel of a flatbed truck, and the next they could be delivering food services. While this diversity keeps their skill sets sharp, it can also be incredibly challenging to navigate these varied experiences while being away from home. Yet, despite these obstacles, our drivers handle it all with incredible grace and professionalism. Their resilience and dedication truly deserve more recognition.
Thank you Virginia for being the absolute champion of Mobile. The expertise you bring to the team and to our drivers is unmatched.
To learn more about our Mobile solution or request Mobile drivers, get in touch with our team here.
Our Mobile Drivers solution is a great fit for a lot of businesses facing complex transportation problems.
Take this short quiz to see if our Mobile Drivers solution is the best option for you.
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