The trucking industry is undergoing many changes to keep up with the times, and one change is the technology in use. Whether using current truck system technology innovatively or investing in research and development of new technologies, the trucking industry covers all avenues.
Keep reading to learn about five trending trucking technologies in the industry and how they’re being used.
1. Highlighting current technology to appeal to younger drivers
Concerns about the impending driver shortage have fueled the need to appeal to younger drivers. The future of the trucking industry depends on enticing younger drivers to the field, and many companies are highlighting current truck system technology in an effort to do so.
Trucking technology currently in use includes:
- AI for route optimization
- Automation
- Collision avoidance systems
- Driving simulators
- GPS
- Mobile apps
- Online training
- Self-driving trucks (though that’s in the far future)
- Social media (for recruiting)
- Real-time shipment tracking
These tools are crucial for recruiting younger drivers because they like working with technology. Some have written off the trucking industry as old-fashioned, so implementing advanced features can offset that concept.
2. Using technology for in-depth training
With a renewed focus on driver safety, trucking companies rely on technology to provide better training opportunities for new and experienced drivers. One aspect of this focus is to make learning how to operate a truck more accessible to all people.
You now see more offers for online training for the basics and in-person training sessions using driving simulators for a more realistic but controlled experience.
Getting behind the wheel of a Driver Training Solutions driving simulator allows users to tackle various driving scenarios in a safe environment. The feedback from the steering column will apply real-world physics, so it feels the same as being behind the wheel of a commercial truck.
Instructors can provide direct feedback on a new driver’s action better than they could on the road. A simulator lets them replay performances and zoom into specific moments where mistakes occur.
All of these features help boost the confidence of new drivers and ensure that experienced drivers don’t fall into bad habits. Additionally, learning to operate a truck in a safe environment reduces the risk of accidents.
3. Creating better connectivity
The industry as a whole is utilizing technology to stay better connected. Communication can occur more easily between truckers and managers, as well as with:
- Customers
- Dispatchers
- Potential drivers
- Suppliers
It also allows drivers to have better access to information that could affect their routes, such as:
- Current traffic status
- Rest areas nearby
- Shipment load status
- Weather conditions
4. Utilizing sustainability technologies
The trucking industry has taken steps toward improved sustainability in the past, and present trucking technology allows companies to take sustainable steps without disrupting operations. For example, some use AI to create the best routes for drivers that reduce fuel usage.
Research has also been done into alternative fuel sources. There’s great interest in electric-powered vehicles, which could be a reliable method of transporting goods in the near future.
5. Making more data-driven decisions
The industry is more digital than ever; it no longer requires manual paperwork. This shift allows companies to make better decisions based on previous data. Access to a library of data can lead to improved decisions about:
- Driving routes
- Estimated travel time
- Fuel use
- Load scheduling
- Performance evaluations
- Recruitment
- Scheduling
- Vehicle maintenance needs
Driving simulators are the future of truck driving training
Driving simulators have significantly improved how people are trained to operate commercial trucks. The ability to run hundreds of scenarios in a safe and gas-free environment has made truckers better and saved a lot of money.
Driver Training Solutions offers top-of-the-line technology with each simulator it produces. Thanks to real-time feedback in the steering column, users will get the physical feeling of being behind the wheel.
Three different monitors surrounding the user provide a 180-degree field of view, while a surround-sound audio system creates a fully immersive experience.
Contact us for more information
About the author
The Driver Training Solutions Team
Driver Training Solutions offers highly customizable products and services to support effective delivery of content and management of training effectiveness. Our services include professional grade driving simulators, driver training services, training programs, performance assessment engines and computer-based training.
