Category: Carrier News

There’s a prevalent misunderstanding regarding what “route planning” entails when it comes to routing and logistics. This is especially true when the word “route optimization” is mentioned. While these two terms are commonly confused, the truth is that they couldn’t be more different.

So, what is the difference between route planning and route optimization, and how can you tell the two apart? We’ll walk you through the distinctions and, more importantly, how they affect your ability to meet (and exceed) your customers’ delivery expectations.

Route Planning is an outdated system

Route planning and route mapping, also known as sequencing, are inextricably linked. The practice of drafting driving directions (or routes) for several locations on a map and arranging them in the most logical and practical sequence is known as route planning.

The customer’s home or business address is represented by each destination, which is based on a service or delivery order. The orders are usually written down on a list and then loaded into a route planner, or route planning software.

Route Optimization: A must-have tool for delivery businesses

Route optimization is a more efficient method of planning, managing, and mapping routes. Route optimization assists you in excelling at what you do by allowing you to build the most efficient routes based on criteria and restrictions other than distance. By constructing delivery routes based on more than just distance, route optimization assists you in excelling. Advanced algorithms allow you to take control of your deliveries and ensure that even the most complex requests are satisfied without skipping a beat with full route optimization.

Route Optimization is worth paying

The cost of last-mile delivery is the most concerning disadvantage. This is due to the fact that it entails distributing smaller amounts to a larger number of recipients. It’s vital to focus on planning and efficiency to offset these greater costs, and route optimization is the most effective approach to do so.

Here is an overview on how route optimization might advantage you.

Reduce shipping charges

Fuel and labor are two of the most important factors to reflect upon when calculating logistics costs. That’s because they’re in charge of a large amount of your overall shipping charges. While a few miles out of the way for a single delivery may not seem like much, the extra gas money may soon add up when multiplied by several drivers and dozens of deliveries every day.

Quick Deliveries 

Cutting delivery times is advantageous not only for increasing productivity, but also for enhancing customer service. You’ll have a distinct advantage over your competitors if you can deliver products faster, and clients will choose you over them if they know they’ll have what they want sooner.

Take your business to new heights

You must have the financial resources to back up your investment in extra drivers and vehicles. Assessing your current productivity is a better way to go about this. By allowing you to accomplish more with less effort, route optimization can help you become more productive. This is the key to attaining your full progress potential.

In a last-mile delivery firm, effective and efficient driver routing is one of the most important controllable variables. If you’re still planning routes based on destination locations, you’re missing out. You should start looking for route optimization software to handle the talked issues. Comment your chosen brand in the comment section for recommendations. 

Contact one of our freight tech experts to learn more about ZUUM’s route optimization technology.

 Even though there seems to be an app for everything these days, it can be difficult to find an app that satisfies exactly what you are looking for. As a truck driver, there are a lot of little things that make a big difference when you’re on the road. Whether it’s looking for the best route or checking on road conditions in real-time, being on the road comes with some hurdles that can be easily passed with a little technology. Luckily, at Zuum our supply chain management experts have years of experience working with carriers and drivers, and we’re interested in providing the most value to help you do your jobs better.. Keep on reading to discover the best apps available for your most important trucking needs! 

ZUUM Driver 

Another great option worth checking out, Zuum’s free driver app focuses on finding you instant bids in real-time, managing your fleet stress-free, and giving you access to all of your documents in one place. Zuum’s technology highlights their ability to provide profitable loads, optimized routes, and fleet visibility. Here’s what its App Store description has to say about some of the features: 

• Instantly accept tendered offers or make counter offers right away
• Manage your entire fleet and see what delivery each driver is on 
• Manage all your deliveries and see each job’s details
• Get real time locations for each of your drivers
• Manage all documents and accessorial – all from your phone
• Receive payments from each delivery instantly 

Gas Buddy

Including over 150,000 gas stations in North America, their website states that, “Over the last 15 years, GasBuddy has saved users over $3.1 billion dollars.” Gas Buddy is an app that finds you the cheapest fuel, with easy-access features such as a price map and trip cost calculator. The app provides information about the individual gas stations, listing its distance from you, which fuel stops offer food and rest, and even tells you when gas prices are about to hike.

Another included feature is that by paying for your fuel through their app, you can receive savings or cashback. In addition, the app is able to observe your driving habits and analyze when you are wasting money and gas. This is mostly an app for fuel location, but it is a very handy tool for carrier drivers to have on their phone! 

Pilot Flying J

Now called the myRewards Plus™ app, Pilot Flying J is a favorite among truck drivers due to its generous exclusive offers and wide truck stop/fuel station availability. Here are some of the features their app lists under their Google Play description: 

• View each location’s full list of amenities, including fuel types and fuel prices, Service Centers and Roadside Assistance, number of showers, number of parking spaces, restaurants & food offerings, store hours and more.
• Save time at the pump with Mobile Fueling. Choose the diesel lane that’s likely to open first, store your payment cards in our safe and secure mobile wallet, and activate the pump with a simple and unique code.
• View and email up to 18 months of digital receipts in the app for all transactions. 
• Professional drivers earn free showers when you fuel and can track your shower credits in the app, plus track your myRewards balance/savings and redeem for discounts at checkout.
• Filter locations by amenities, parking availability, fuel type, restaurants & food offerings, and more.

Keep in mind that these features only apply at Pilot Flying J locations!

Drivewyze

The best thing about the Drivewyze app is that it can help you save valuable time at inspection sites and weigh stations. The company has a preclearance network of over 700 sites, distributed across 44 states and provinces in North America, which they state can “allow you to bypass scales up to 98% of the time, depending on your carrier safety score.” They offer a 30-day free trial, following which the current pricing is $17.99/month, and offer the features below as described in the Google Play store: 

• Works at both fixed weigh stations and mobile sites
• Requires no transponder – turns your device into a “smart transponder”
• Updates regularly with new states and site locations
• Truckers can now bypass 36 Florida Agriculture inspection sites (with carrier consent)
• Unlimited phone or email customer support at no additional charge
• Hands-free compliant with FMCSA and state distracted driving laws

If you liked this blog and one of these apps worked for you, make sure to tune into ZUUM’s blog for more insider articles!  

Indispensable to the economy, truckers are a necessary unit in our society, but their job does not come without risks. With great jobs come great responsibilities, and truck drivers are no different. Statistics show that over the last ten years, accidents involving big rigs have continued to increase. You might think that you’re a great driver, you’re careful on the road, and you’ve got a lot of experience. That may all be true. However, even the most experienced drivers are not exempt from getting into an accident. Unpredictable factors, split-second decisions, and overconfidence sound like a recipe for disaster where there could instead be life-saving cautiousness. Don’t believe me? Let’s look at the numbers. 

• In 2016, 4,213 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes. According to MCMIS, 55,633 large trucks were involved in injury crashes, and 99,911 were involved in towaway crashes (FMCSA)
• The U.S. suffers the most road crash deaths of any high-income country, about 50% higher than similar countries in Western Europe, Canada, Australia and Japan (ASIRT)
• The critical precrash event for 73% of the large trucks in fatal crashes was another vehicle, person, animal, or object in the large truck’s lane or encroaching into it. 23% of the large trucks in fatal crashes had critical precrash events of their own movement or loss of control (FMCSA)
• Collision with a vehicle in transport was the first harmful event (the first event during a crash that resulted in injury or property damage) in 73% of fatal crashes involving large trucks (FMCSA)
• Road crashes are the leading cause of death in the U.S. for people aged 1-54 (ASIRT)
• Singles (truck tractors pulling a single semi-trailer) accounted for 62% of the large trucks involved in fatal crashes in 2016 (FMCSA)

As you can see, getting into a potentially fatal accident is not that far-fetched of a fear, after all. So what can you do to combat these numbers? Anything you can. Every decision, especially the small ones, are what may eventually build up to a life or death moment for someone on the road. Below are eight ways to keep yourself and others safe. 

1. Wear your seatbelt 

• It seems obvious, doesn’t it? It’s the first thing we teach children when they climb into a car. However, in 2016, 13 percent (662) of large truck occupants in fatal crashes were not wearing a safety belt, of which 285 (43 percent) were killed in the crash. In contrast, only 307 (8 percent) of the 3,849 large truck occupants wearing safety belts in fatal crashes were killed (FMCSA). Be smart and take care of yourself. It takes only a few seconds to click your seatbelt in, and those few seconds could save your life. 

2. Maintain your truck

• According to Policyadvice.net, “Tire defects account for around 30% (the most common cause) of all truck-related accidents.” Driving is already a risky endeavour with the long hours and heavy loads drivers have to transport. It is critical that drivers exercise proper maintenance of their vehicles, especially concerning wheels, brakes, and steering wheels. Double check your loads to make sure everything is securely strapped in. Checking up on your vehicle and getting necessary repairs will save you pain and costs down the road in the event of the worst case scenario.

2. Plan your route/GPS

• Speaking of worst case scenarios, they will become much easier to avoid if you can spend a little time planning your route before beginning the drive. You will likely feel much more comfortable if you have a basic idea of where you are going, and how much time you have to drop off your shipment. Investing in a trucker’s GPS might be the right choice for you if you are willing to make the purchase. They can help alleviate stress by informing you when to change lanes, how far away the exit is, and reporting traffic information.

4. Watch out for weather conditions

• It takes a couple minutes, but it sure beats going into a snowstorm blind and empty-handed. Being aware of weather conditions in the areas you are headed into is a great asset. It will help you figure out your time management, and what weather or terrain-related equipment you will need to bring with you. 

5. Limit distractions 

• Not only is it illegal, but being on your phone while driving is a significant risk factor that only increases when you are driving a big rig. “The odds of being involved in a crash, near-crash, or unintentional lane deviation are 23.2 times greater for truck and bus drivers who are texting while driving” (FMCSA). If you need to use your phone for GPS-related reasons or similar, invest in a car mount for your mobile device. Most of them run under $20, and they are incredibly convenient and efficient to use. Limiting distractions also applies to other things, such as eating or drinking. If you have to do something that requires your attention, safely pull over and take care of it. 

6. Leave a cushion in front of your truck

• This is very important. Truckers know that at the size and speeds they travel, it takes a longer time to slow or stop than many drivers sharing the road with them may realize. Because of this, it is highly recommended that you leave as much room for cushion as possible. In other words, try to leave empty space between your vehicle and the road in front of you. In the event that a car in front of you suddenly hits the brakes, or there is something happening in traffic up ahead, you will need to have plenty of room in order to safely bring your truck to a stop. 

7. Stay slow 

• It can be frustrating when you’re running late for a load drop-off, and you’re stuck going 55 when everyone around you is going 70+. You may think that you have good enough control of your truck to slightly increase your speed on that ramp, or to merge into that faster lane. Don’t do it. It is absolutely vital for truckers to avoid speeding at all times. The danger outweighs the possible pros of getting to your destination just a little faster. Is it worth getting there twenty minutes earlier, and risking your life for it? The answer should always be no.

8. Take breaks

• It is common knowledge that for those of us on the road, fatigue is a hovering inconvenience, especially when driving at night. If you’re feeling tired, sleepy, or just unwell overall, the best thing you can do is take a break. Stop your rig and stretch for a few minutes. Eat a hot meal. Give yourself a rest. A tired or inattentive driver is much more likely to make mistakes and endanger themselves or others. Furthermore, it is bad for your health to chronically lose sleep or not eat and rest properly. Truckers work hard to make sure that their families and customers are taken care of. It is important that they do the same for themselves. 

Related sources:

https://www.smart-trucking.com/driving-safety-tips/

https://www.mcaleerlaw.com/trucking-accident-facts-and-statistics.html

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2016

https://www.cdlknowledge.com/truck-accident-statistics/

• In 2017, the American trucking industry revenue went just over 700 billion dollars, making it higher than the GDP of more than 150 countries. 
• Over 5% of all jobs in the US are related to trucking
• In the US, 70% of all freight is transported by trucks 
• 90% of the food we eaten in America is hauled by refrigerated trucks
• 1 out of every 14 jobs in the US is related to or created by the trucking industry 
• Without freight truckers, our grocery stores would run out of food in 3 days

With numbers like these, it seems a wonder that there are widely accepted fears of driver shortages in the logistics industry. For such an important part of the US economy, and in a sector that we rely on so much, it can seem strange that these numbers are being threatened by the absence of the workers we usually depend on for our daily necessities. At a time when online markets and delivery usage is soaring, what’s keeping the numbers low?

The American Trucking Association reported that, “In 2018, the trucking industry was short roughly 60,800 drivers, which was up nearly 20% from 2017’s figure of 50,700. If current trends hold, the shortage could swell to over 160,000 by 2028.” 

They attribute these shortages primarily to an aging population of drivers, as well as a lack of expansion concerning the type of people who do become truck drivers. When the average truck driver is 46 years old, what happens to the voids they leave behind when they retire? Or when the unhealthy lifestyle of many drivers finally catches up to them? Truckers are twice as likely to be obese as the rest of the general population, have higher rates of smoking, and may have more trouble getting proper sleep and exercise as a result of their occupation. A study by HireRight found that health issues contributed to 1 in 5 drivers leaving the industry. 

Other outlets that could be explored to help combat the shortage lies in creating an environment that leads to more workers applying for these jobs. The US Department of Labor has documented female truck drivers at only 6.6%, a figure that has barely risen in the last two decades. Some argue that the minimum driver age should be lowered from 21 to 18, which would allow more people to get into the workforce straight out of highschool, rather than being snatched up by trade industries or other employers. Individuals under 21 can hold CDL licenses, but cannot cross state lines, exempting them from many job requirements. 

These numbers, for better or worse, have undoubtedly seen a change due to the COVD-19 pandemic that swept across the globe this year. Many different sources seemed to find the shortage had been stalled by the swift increase in transportation needs as drivers struggled to maintain a sense of normalcy for people across the country. However, there were also frustrations that COVID-19 had shut down training centers and DMVs, slowing the acquisition of new drivers almost to a complete halt. Don Lefeve, CEO of Commercial Vehicle Training Association, “estimates that the number of people obtaining CDLs will drop by at least 40% this year.” Companies are reluctant to hire drivers they find unqualified, as professionalism and reliability in their drivers helps mark their own businesses as trustworthy and competent. 

But as freight volume increases, so does the strain on the driver pool. Steve Banker of Forbes denies the driver shortage outright, claiming an economist standpoint that blames certain market conditions for the perceived lack of experienced workers. Banker uses a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to defend his position, acknowledging that, “[T]he bureau cites an annual ATA survey of carriers, which shows that, between 1995 and 2017, the annual turnover rate at large TL carriers averaged 94 percent and that at small TL carriers averaged 79 percent. In contrast, the rate at firms in a different segment, less-than-truckload, averaged only 12 percent.” However, he states that high turnover rates are separate from the industry facing a driver shortage, and that much of TL freight operates under contracts spanning years, explaining why freight rates are not adjusting as quickly.

Overall, what we can see for certain is that the numbers show there are not enough drivers in the industry. Whether that is related to market conditions, aging worker populations, or any other combination of factors, it is important for the logistics industry to take a good look at how they can improve their attractiveness to new applications so as to improve the current state of affairs and make the trucking industry more available to the rest of the working population. 

Related Sources: 

https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/trucking-industry-facts-us-truckers-2019-5-1028248577

https://www.ttnews.com/articles/trucking-industry-revenue-topped-700-billion-2017-ata-report-shows

https://kmmsam.com/friday-fun-facts-about-truckers/

https://www.trucking.org/news-insights

http://www.mmtanet.com/truck-facts.php

https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/trucking-industry-facts-us-truckers-2019-5-1028248577#and-trucks-move-more-than-70-of-all-goods-transported-around-the-united-states5

https://www.trucking.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/ATAs%20Driver%20Shortage%20Report%202019%20with%20cover.pdf

https://www.drivebigtrucks.com/blog/understanding-the-national-truck-driver-shortage/

https://www.fleetowner.com/resource-center/driver-management/article/21703206/trucker-health-a-growing-crisis-part-1

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebanker/2019/09/11/the-driver-shortage-is-fake-news/#38a0037d2274

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/truck/health.html