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Issue 5 2017 - FBJNA


///TRUCKING


Driverless Trucks Examined By John W. McCurry


As the trucking industry continues to deal with the nationwide shortage of drivers, technology figures to emerge as a partial solution. Some companies believe that technologies that make work easier and safer for drivers will also serve as a recruiting tool. In other words, better- qualified drivers are likely to be attracted by companies that have invested in these technologies. Following is a look at a cross-


section of the US trucking industry and their individual strategies on evaluating and deploying technologies. Patrick Sugar, director of


technology for SAIA, a Johns Creek, GA-based LTL specialist that operates more than 4,000 tractors, says he sees technology as a way to make drivers as safe as possible, thereby making the job more attractive. He believes using the right technologies will help retain and attract good drivers. Sugar notes that technology


is one of the biggest investments for trucking companies and it provides a path toward a competitive advantage. Technology and the industry are rapidly changing and it’s critical for companies


to make sure investments are part of a long-term strategy. “The big misconception


that we see is companies are investing in technology and looking for a return,” Sugar says. “Technology alone won’t create a return. It has to be part of your strategy and your day-


happening on the road. “This system is used as a


preventative tool,” Sugar says. “Our drivers have a great safety record and this enables their skills to develop year over year.” The other technology is the


Bose Ride System, which uses sensors to gather “feedback” from the road. As the truck hits bumps, it adjusts the seat to dampen the impact. SAIA is using the system in less than 10% of its fleet this year, measuring the response. If the results are positive, it will expand use of the system. “Bose claims it can increase


the length of time a driver can drive and result in a lot less soreness,” Sugar says. “I’m not willing to say that the drive cam and the Bose Ride seats


“The big misconception is companies are investing in technology and looking for a return.” -- Patrick Sugar, SAIA


to-day activity.” Sugar offers two recent


examples of technology deployed by SAIA. One is a driver camera safety system. This


road and driver-facing


camera helps to coach drivers, as well as allow the company to understand more about the behavior of drivers and what’s


will become a magnet for recruiting drivers because it’s premature for that, but I am confident that companies that don’t have quality equipment will be less attractive to above average drivers. If you don’t have competitive equipment, how will you be successful?” Jerry Kilgore, chief


information officer for CRST International, says his company is working to consolidate systems it has added through acquisitions. CRST is also looking at analytics


solutions as a


means to deliver more timely business insight and improved operational efficiency. “Safety


is another focus,


and CRST is evaluating the use of camera technology to capture critical driving events, identify trends across the fleet, coach drivers, and reduce risks,” Kilgore says. “You don’t deploy technology for the sake of technology. It’s not done to give your IT staff something to do. You deploy technology to meet a business need.” Chad Lindbloom, CIO at C.H.


Robinson, says customers and contract carriers look to the company to create and offer tools that help them manage their


supply chains and


businesses on a daily basis. “On the customer side, they


want the right technology that will drive efficiencies and increase visibility in real- time,” Lindbloom says.


know that the marketplace is evolving and changing faster than ever, and we need to continue creating technology solutions that go beyond freight matching in order to


encompass and address


supply chain complexities, both today and into the future.” Lindbloom offers


Navisphere Carrier as an example of new technology used by C.H. Robinson. It’s an app that uses mobile technology and location services


to help contract


carriers manage their business while on the move. “Fully integrated with Navisphere, our proprietary


“Our business and IT teams were in the field with drivers and dispatchers, gaining insight in how they want to use web and mobile. We built this tool with the small carrier in mind.” By using Navisphere Carrier, small trucking companies can now manage their fleets through the dispatch function where drivers can be assigned to loads and can have full visibility to their fleets using location services for the first time. Concord, NC-based Little


Truck Solutions specializes in the expedited and time-critical freight market, primarily in


“For


carriers, it’s all about adding value back to small businesses. Our tools aim to help them save time through streamlined processes so they can operate more smoothly. In addition, we


global technology platform, dispatchers as well as owner/ operators can use the app to track loads, assign drivers, process documentation, and post trucks,” Lindbloom says.


LTL or smaller shipments. It primarily operates in the Lower 48 states, with most operations east of the Mississippi River. David Harrison, the company’s president, says his technology


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