The freight industry is one that’s often described as “invisible”. Consumers don’t necessarily think about the great lengths involved to get their product into their hands. Whether it’s the meal you’re eating at a restaurant, the car you drive to work in, or the brush you comb your hair with, it all got to you somehow.
Even when you’re ordering products online—versus shopping produce from the grocery store—your shipment still has to make its way to by way of truck and freight handler. But those warehouses and fulfillment centers probably received their stock from a naval, train, or plane carrier.
Indeed, the freight industry is a vast and sprawling web of interconnecting parts that demand careful management, but one that often goes unseen by the majority of worldwide consumers who enjoy the benefits of the labor. It’s very rare for someone to pause and ponder the object in their hand, wondering “How did this get here?”
But could you imagine if there was a major breakdown in the order of operations? Sure, you can—you experience it at a micro level when your favorite ice cream is out of stock at the store. Often times, that’s not because a stock manager neglected to replenish the product supply, or one consumer came in and cleared out the shelves; it’s because some shipment, somewhere, got delayed, mishandled, or set off course.
Consumers should be mindful of the freight industry—it’s the backbone that supports our convenient quality of living. That said, here are some major innovations to keep your eye on in 2020 that are sure to improve our lives even more.
- Precision Tracking
The liability held by cargo carriers is not to be taken lightly. When products finally load onto a truck off the dock out for delivery, drivers (or their bosses) then become responsible for all the cargo they’re hauling.
Many of these drivers have no idea what’s in tow, mainly in the interest of loss prevention due to theft, but some drivers are informed of the value of their freight. During a long distance, cross-country trek, it could be very tempting to try to steal the loot for themselves.
Thankfully, administrators can now use a truck tracking app right on their phone to receive real-time updates that deter modern-day bandits from seizing goods on a selfish agenda.
Even if the driver poses no threat of internal theft, GPS fleet tracking can track time, monitor performance, block smart phone distractions (such as texting or calling when the app is in use), and provide safety scores. This not only benefits the safety of other drivers and pedestrians on the road, but helps administrators optimize shipment frequency and identify the best drivers to retain.
- Converging Industries
Almost everyone has heard of the famous ride-hailing company, Uber, that enables everyday drivers to use their cars to transport passengers from A to B. But just last year, the industry giant announced that they have all-new plans for the road.
Uber Freight broke into the German market after making its presence known in the U.S. where they connect 48 states and generate more than $125 million in quarterly revenues. They’re taking on local tech startups in the country in an effort to cash in on a share of Europe’s $500 billion trucking market.
While they’ll be met with consternation, no doubt, they have a goal of digitizing the industry and making it much more efficient—currently, trucks are estimated to be empty 21% of the distance they travel. That could lead European consumers to enjoy deliveries much faster than before.
- Going Greener
A growing number of global citizens are concerned with climate change and how our consumerist society plays a part—and freight companies are listening. One start-up company is building a solar-powered airship to transport cargo more greenly. Although it will fly at half the speed of a jumbo jet, it shows us that it’s entirely possible to enjoy the products we love without leaving a large carbon footprint to do so.
Business trade and commerce involves hundreds of thousands of people ranging from the loading docks to operation control. The next time you see a freight train or truck go by, think of all the steps it took to get there—and perhaps feel a little more grateful for your next purchase.