The pace of technological change has accelerated and left major footprints on almost every industry but especially the transportation and logistics sector. And it may be safe to say that the digital age has come to the transportation industry.
Despite technological advances in the transportation sector in recent years, fleets faced tough challenges when the pandemic hit in 2024. In spite of this, online orders and purchases skyrocketed during the pandemic. Total e-commerce purchases grew by 39% during the first quarter of 2024.
As a result, the industry has been forced to adapt to the growing challenges while also meeting client demands. This has led to greater
integration of technology and atomization of processes. This shift has proven quite favorable for the industry. The following are six ways technology has positively changed the transport and logistics industry:
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Improved Efficiency
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Integrating technology within your transport business, like chemical transport, can have a number of benefits. By doing so, your company will be able to meet increasing product demands by using GPS fleet tracking which will allow drivers insight into upcoming traffic and weather. Even more, your business could invest in a fuel card tracking system to help drive down your monthly fuel bill – these systems will come with a fuel card from your chosen forecourt network. You can compare fuel cards and fleet tracking on iCompario, an online services comparison site. Additionally, you can also manage finances better by tracking fuel usage. Moreover, it helps streamline the operation through fleet optimization, real-time fault code alerts, and over-the-air vehicle diagnostics, which allow for immediate notification regarding any breakdowns.
By communicating with their fleets and maintaining constant communication while on the road, fleet management systems are making transportation more efficient by assessing how long each vehicle has been on the road and updating the best route whenever necessary.
Use Of Wi-Fi Hotspots
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In certain technologies, such as electronic logging devices (ELDs), the scanning results can be uploaded to a cloud platform via IoT connectivity. With WiFi hotspots, you don’t have to buy cellular modems, wireless routers, or deal with carrier contacts, so your costs are reduced. Data rates are generally lower with this technology, and the connection can be much faster than a satellite connection.
Easier Monitoring Of Fleet Activities
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Fleet activity alerts can notify you of the arrival and departure of fleets from hubs, as well as the time spent unloading. Fleet managers can, thus, be notified if there are any inconsistencies. Moreover, you will be able to calculate the time spent on each site which, in turn, can help you in planning for future cargos and activities.
Potential For A Driverless Future
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Autonomous vehicles are also a technological upgrade that businesses are working on and have even been implemented in many areas. Tesla has been somewhat of a frontrunner in this particular field, making a number of advancements, which has led to some US states passing laws to promote and regulate this technology.
Another firm taking the first real initiative towards a driverless future is Amazon. In fact, the e-commerce giant has already begun introducing flying drones into its shipment process. However, the technology still needs more development before it can be applied to logistics in a meaningful way. Despite a number of practical and safety concerns, the possibility of driverless cars and drones playing an important role in logistics in the future does seem plausible. By removing human control from vehicles, organizations will be able to maximize the efficiency of cars and any other forms of transportation they utilize. Ultimately, they will be able to reduce costs associated with fuel and employee salaries by delivering the desired fuel economy.
In the near future, however, it is unlikely that these vehicles can replace drivers completely. Rather, they will provide the kind of assisted driving that would reduce accidents and ensure driver safety. Now even though this technology is still in its infancy, it is still worth looking into for any transport or logistics firm that would like to stick around for the long term.
Greater Consistency
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The technology of track-and-trace has now become standard, and clients expect to be informed when their shipments are expected to arrive. With current technologies, not only are real-time updates provided but also alerts letting the facility managers know about delays on the route and the exact arrival time so they can plan for maximum efficiency at their facility during the turnaround.
There are, however, benefits beyond simply improving the timeliness of delivery. Data collected over the course of time may lead to significant savings in the long run. Through this process, companies can develop a more comprehensive picture of where their freight is and where it needs to go, and reduce their loads so that they include only what is actually needed.
Furthermore, onboard sensors will be able to monitor temperature, humidity, and movement more precisely and initiate the appropriate response, significantly reducing the risk of cargo damage or loss during transportation.
Apart from its benefits in fleet activity optimization, technology has also made back-office functions more smooth and easy to complete. With a number of software now available, you can keep a record of all documents, calculate finance, etc with little manual input. It can even help ensure you’re complying with all the necessary regulations, by setting off reminders. One of them is updating your MCS 150 From which you can learn more about from this Website.
GPS Tracking
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Technology today has improved several aspects of the transportation process, making them more efficient, cost-effective, and verifiable. The use of real-time GPS fleet tracking platform technology has taken fleet and cargo tracking to the next level.
Consequently, fleet optimization, cargo coordination, and fuel cost reduction have become a reality at the same time. Not only does GPS tracking enable fleet managers to identify any upcoming traffic and hold-ups but also helps to reroute automatically, saving time as well as any potential frustration that would have resulted. In addition, real-time GPS tracking allows more protection from theft by alerting managers of any unauthorized usage or movements.
