Perspective

With power shifting from the retailer to the consumer, the personalized supply chain has been a buzzword in the retail industry for quite some time. But why are we talking about retail in an article about fleet management?

For the first time in more than a decade, the driver shortage tops the American Transportation Research Institute’s list of critical issues facing the trucking industry — and we should be ashamed.

Pretty much everyone knows tires are second only to fuel among operating costs for fleets. What's new is how the industry will deal with the potential for tire failures on autonomous trucks.

Recent company mergers and initial public offerings have brought the value of trucking companies to the forefront.

I am addicted to technology. At home I have a 3-D printer and a semi-autonomous drone aircraft. Amazon’s voice-controlled “Alexa” app manages my schedule, controls the lights in my house and plays games with my kids. Google’s Nest home services system features a thermostat that manages the temperature in our house and provides real-time security video of the property. And we have countless media streaming devices — computers, gaming systems, smart TVs and tablets.

When developing accident-response training for drivers, fleets often focus on the wrong thing. They typically start with a list of do’s and don’ts without the proper context. Fleets, and by extension their drivers, must know the importance of following the right protocol. When it comes to accident reporting, it’s crucial.

The bottom line? If we want cleaner air, we need cleaner trucks.

If you have a driver turnover problem and can’t keep drivers, especially new ones, and can’t attract new, qualified drivers, regardless of what you try or the money you throw at the problem, what you’re doing is not working. But why?

Freight and logistics always have depended on the human touch, but technology is getting smarter and many brokers wonder if their efforts will become unnecessary.

Jeff Tucker, CEO of Tucker Company Worldwide, reviews lessons learned and offers current advice relative to the capacity crunch of 2017.