America’s economy has long relied on truckers to keep the supply of goods flowing across the country and beyond. While the fundamentals of the industry haven’t changed much for decades, the technology supporting that industry has been evolving rapidly in the 21st century. There may be no way to reduce the distance between point A and point B, but technology has made every step of the route in between safer and more efficient. Read on to find out how.
More Effective Maintenance Plans
As modern trucking companies have grown and expanded their operations, providing adequate vehicle maintenance has become more of a challenge. Software providers like Pluss have stepped up to make sure today’s semi-trucks get the care they need by making it easier for repair shops to operate efficiently.
The addition of onboard diagnostic tools to recently manufactured semi-trucks has further improved modern maintenance strategies. Within the past two decades, this kind of technology has become so commonplace that some states are even using onboard diagnostics systems to monitor emissions. Onboard diagnostics systems help to ensure that semi-trucks get the maintenance and repairs required for safe operation.
Changing Trucking Strategies
It used to be common for long-distance truckers to return to their home states with empty trucks. The use of fleet management software and other modern technologies has made it much easier for trucking companies to avoid empty return trips. Technological advancements like real-time truck location tracking also make it easier to organize convoys and platoons, improving the efficiency of each run even more.
Safety Advancements
All modern vehicles have undergone some serious changes when it comes to safety features, and semi-trucks are certainly no exception. Advancements in onboard tech such as automatic braking, lane departure warnings, and even trucker fatigue alarms have all helped to reduce the rates of 18-wheeler accidents and inspired greater confidence in the industry as a whole.
Advancements in onboard technology have also been used to improve comfort and reduce fatigue, which has been shown to further improve driver safety. Some examples include ergonomic seats and steering wheels, augmented communications and information systems, and even seats that feature reduced pressure points.
Improved Truck Designs
Recent advancements in semi-truck powertrains have already had a major impact on how efficiently goods can be shipped across the country. Today’s engines can be smaller than their predecessors’ thanks to improved turbocharging technology, which means that trucks can be lighter and more efficient. Hybrid and even electric powertrains are also starting to be introduced, as are more efficient alternators and starters.
It’s not just the engines of semi-trucks that have been undergoing changes in recent years. The use of aerodynamic technologies like active louvers, underbody shielding, and wheel covers have all become more common as the price of fuel has risen. Truck manufacturers are also using predictive technologies to find new methods for improving fuel efficiency.
The Future of Trucking: Autonomous Vehicles?
Everyone has been hearing a lot about autonomous vehicles in recent years. While improvements in autonomous passenger car technologies have been receiving most of the attention, truck manufacturers have also been testing similar technologies. There are still bugs to work out, but many experts predict that fully autonomous trucks will be commonplace in the near future. For now, though, truckers and fleet managers alike are better off focusing on technologies like those described above that have already been tested and proven in the real world.
