Eight trucking industry trends: where the industry is heading

Like any other industry, the trucking industry has trends that come and go as the market shifts and needs change. Some have altered the entire industry’s infrastructure, while others have simply brought fresh perspectives.

Every trucking carrier needs to stay up-to-date on the latest trends, so explore eight trucking industry trends and their potential impacts on your organization.

Eight trucking industry trends to keep an eye on

Here are the trends that can affect the industry’s future. 

1. Diversifying fleets

Growing concern over the oncoming truck driver shortage has led truck companies to figure out ways to overcome it. One way carriers have been preparing is by proactively diversifying their fleets.

In 2022, 8.4 million people worked in the trucking industry. Women comprised 8.1% of the nation’s driver fleet. Black drivers made up 18.3%, Asians made up 4%, and Hispanic or Latino drivers made up 23.3%.

While those numbers are better than they have been, diversifying fleets is still a significant industry focus.

As more drivers retire, the industry has put initiatives together to attract younger people. Some initiatives include addressing issues that minority drivers have within the industry, such as safety. The industry has also been upgrading daily operations to include more technology used to entice young drivers to join. 

2. Improving sustainability methods

A significant shift toward sustainability has taken place within the industry. Transportation contributes around a quarter of total global carbon dioxide emissions. Transportation industry leaders have been seeking ways to decrease emissions.

There are many reasons for this, ranging from high diesel costs to younger drivers wanting to work with environmentally conscious carriers. Zero-emissions vehicles earned a spot on the American Transportation Research Institute’s (ATRI) top 10 industry issues of 2023.

One potential solution is using electric trucks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, the use of electric trucks is still in the beginner stages due to issues like high upfront costs and the availability of charging stations on the road.

Another potential solution is changing how trucks are designed through active aerodynamics. The goal of this initiative is that aerodynamically designed trucks will not need as much power, and fuel, to fight against drag and rolling resistance. However, this can also take a long time to implement.

Despite all that, the industry remains positive in its sustainability efforts. 

3. Self-driving trucks

Autonomous (or self-driving) trucks are a significant debatable topic within the industry. Some people are concerned that this technology will eliminate jobs or compromise the safety of drivers and those around them on the roads. Other people are excited about the benefits of the technology, such as fuel efficiency and faster delivery times.

The Associated Press wrote about Aurora’s self-driving commercial trucks in 2024. Aurora’s self-driving semi did well on the testing ground, driving around obstacles in the road. Aurora planned to have these cars on the road by early to mid-2025 in specific states, such as Texas, where there is less tumultuous weather and longer spans of open road.

However, the company ran into a roadblock when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration stopped it due to safety concerns. The two parties are now in a legal battle.

Despite the truck drivers’ concerns about being replaced, self-driving companies like Aurora do not believe that drivers will be replaced. They see their product as an extra tool for carriers to use. Self-driving trucks can be used for straightforward routes while human drivers can focus on more complex ones. It is also believed that there will be a human driver in these cars, even if they are not actively driving, for an extra layer of protection. 

4. Using the IoT 

The “Internet of Things” (IoT) means that as long as a device is connected to the internet, it can share information with other devices, no matter the location. That last element is crucial for the trucking industry. 

Logistically, companies can use the IoT to:

• Change temperatures automatically for perishable goods
• Check vehicle status
• Communicate with drivers and clients
• Monitor cargo status
• Monitor driver performance
• Plan routes in real-time
• Improve fuel efficiency

Using IoT will touch every aspect of the trucking industry and even assist in making some of the trends on this list a reality.

5. Building better cybersecurity  

As the industry becomes more reliant on technology and AI, cybersecurity's importance grows. According to a Trucknews.com interview, there has been a 400% increase in automotive cyberattacks between 2017 and 2022.

An anonymous trucking company shared with Freight Waves that despite being a small truck operation, hackers targeted them. The hackers used ransomware to get into the carrier’s transportation management system and wanted $300,000 to not leak the information.

While things worked out for this particular company - they ended up not paying the ransom and strengthened the system - not every carrier is so lucky. 

There are many different cyberattack threats such as:

• Ransomware
• Phishing attacks
• Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks
• Malware
• Denial-of-service (DOS) attacks

One hacker can affect a trucking carrier by: 

• Changing driver routes 
• Disrupting the entire supply chain
• Stealing money
• Stealing sensitive data about companies or their customers
• Stopping operations 

Carriers can keep their information secure using tools such as encryption, secure communication channels, and regular software updates.

6. Changing the industry’s reputation

Another element of overcoming the potential driver shortage is changing people's attitudes about the industry. Many people see trucking as a career only for middle-aged men who have to spend a lot of time away from home. That simply is not the case anymore.

Through various marketing tactics, the industry is showing the public a career as a driver can be fulfilling and diverse. They are achieving this goal through:

• Appealing to gig economy workers
• Demonstrating the diversity of fleets
• Focusing on the positive travel aspects of the job
• Showcasing career advancement
• Offer better pay and benefits
• Concentrating on younger drivers

The trucking industry will look very different in the next decade as a more diverse workforce enters it.

7. Focusing on driver wellbeing

Another trend within the trucking industry places an increased emphasis on driver welfare. Working as a truck driver is challenging and may increase the risk of various health problems.  Examples include health issues stemming from eating unhealthy food due to a lack of options on the road, bodily pains from sitting for long periods, and poor sleeping schedules. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

• More than 50% of truck drivers are obese
• 40% have heart disease and musculoskeletal disorders
• 28% have sleep apnea - which can increase the chances of drowsy driving
• 28% feel lonely
• 27% have depression
• 21% have anxiety

Carriers are now implementing various health programs and tools for their drivers. For example, they offer gym memberships for physical health and resources for mental health. Additionally, offering more flexible scheduling can support driver well-being. Drivers can achieve a better work-life balance and spend time with their loved ones. 

8. Improving safety

While safety has always been a concern within the industry, technological advancements have made monitoring and implementing measures that protect those on the road easier. Drivers have also been holding companies accountable for providing more safety tools.

Training is a great example - it came in at number 11 on the ATAI’s industry concerns study. The old way of training new drivers required behind-the-wheel learning while on the road.

This method creates significant pressure on new drivers and ties up vehicles and experienced drivers during training. The training is often sporadic and inconsistent, depending on the trainer. Additionally, an increased risk of accidents because of low experience levels impacts vehicle and driver safety.

Thanks to tools like driving simulators, training can become more detailed and consistent across trainers and trainees. A driving simulator from Acron Aviation's Driver Training Solutions allows new drivers to experience the feeling of being behind the wheel of a commercial truck while remaining in a safe and controlled environment. The physical feedback from the steering column mimics the same resistance as in an actual vehicle.

Other safety tools used within the industry include:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Camera systems
• Collision avoidance
• Emergency braking
• Lane-keeping assistance

Keep up with training needs with Driver Training Solutions

We designed our simulators to deliver the most immersive experience users can have without being behind the wheel. Each simulator uses a six-channel surround sound system, physical feedback, and 180-degree screens to help users feel like they are on the road - despite being in a completely safe environment.

Our simulators also include built-in scenarios and instructor tools to make training go as smoothly as possible. A simulator will vastly improve your company’s training sessions and support efforts to stay current with the latest trucking industry trends. Plus, your vehicles can remain on the road, keeping things moving and avoiding costly delays.