There are multiple advantages of tracking freight. Better freight visibility empowers all participants in the supply chain to optimize their operations, deal with exigencies, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. Some of the ways of tracking cargo that everyone in the logistics industry should be aware of:
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
An ELD is a physical GPS device powered by a battery connected to the vehicle’s engine and thus rides along with the shipment. Even though the technology has been around for many years, only recently the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has mandated its use.
The biggest advantage of LEDs is that they are fully automated and do not depend on the driver to do anything. It makes the system less prone to malfunction or even the battery dying. However, since these devices are battery-powered, they must be charged at regular intervals. Being a physical device, it costs more to buy and maintain.
GPS Container Tracking
In this method, a GPS tracking device, including an accelerometer, is fixed on the container using a locking or a magnetic mechanism. Shippers can fix magnetic GPS devices to the sides of the containers to protect them from impacts. They can also affix the GPS devices to the container lock after the loading of the goods. When the container moves, the tracker activates and sends the coordinates via cell phone or satellite networks.
The evergreen tracking system has the advantage of easy availability, no requirement for additional infrastructure, and is highly accurate. However it requires an open sky to send signals, is power-intensive, and current coordinates may not be available if the device is dormant for saving power. It is also relatively more expensive.
Mobile Apps
Diverse industries have now adopted mobile apps because smartphones are now much more affordable and the network more extensive and reliable. With the network coverage now far better than before, mobile technology fits the requirements of the freight tracking industry more naturally. Mobile apps use the GPS facility in smartphones to transmit freight status updates to logistic service providers.
The main advantage is that the phone GPS is more accurate, the process of checking in manually, provides more accurate data about the completion of check-ins, and the GIS for calculating travel time and route analyses is far more detailed and gives drivers alerts on various traffic restrictions and allows better route planning. The drawbacks are that network coverage may not be optimal in various places and can result in drivers not complying with manual processes. Having to check in manually places additional responsibility on drivers, and most importantly, you still need to connect the app to an ELD to comply with the government regulations.
Armada Tracking Technology
Armada following equipment is introduced on the different vehicles that coordinations organizations use to move products around the store network. This may incorporate truck taxis, railcar frames, sea vessels, and different methods of transportation. Armada following normally utilizes IoT gadgets that report the situation of a vehicle dependent on GPS organizes and gives either irregular or constant area refreshes. The GPS equipment is incorporated with area revealing programming that inquiries the GPS gadgets and shows their area on a guide.
Armada following can likewise be joined with computerized reasoning and AI for quick directing advancement, contingent upon outer components like climate or traffic conditions
Short Range Wireless Tracking
This sort of following incorporates an assortment of methods that reject cell and satellite following, for example, Bluetooth and RFID labels. Their utilization fluctuates with every particular innovation and gives a degree to customization.
Standardized identifications for Location Tracking
In spite of the fact that standardized identifications are an inactive method to follow area and stock levels, they are still probably the most universal innovation accessible. Standardized identifications are modest and simple to execute and can be joined with other following advancements to give minimal expense stock administration and restricted area to the board.
Super Wideband Beacons for Location Tracking
Super Wideband (UWB) reference point innovation is among the most dependable answers for the ongoing area and following inside a stockroom or capacity area. UWB frameworks work by setting UWB “secures” around a space to be followed, giving an imperceptible “matrix” that can screen the stockroom. UWB labels can be appended to explicit items or resources, and the UWB anchors will follow where each tag is found. This is addressed in the UWB programming, permitting quick and precise position detailing.
Conclusion
Advancements in technology are dictating the way forward in the freight trucking industry. While the three systems discussed here represent practical options, you need to also watch the implementation of newer technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), according to a Forbes report. It uses embedded technology to communicate can interact with diverse devices, and can be especially helpful in tracking and tracing freight shipments.
