Oct 26, 2023

Food Purchasing Habits at Truck Stops

We surveyed our community of truck drivers to learn about their food purchases at truck stops.

Trucker Tips For Exercising While On The Road The health stakes are high for truck drivers. According to information shared by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),truck drivers are <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/truck/health.html">twice as likely to smoke and be obese</a> compared to other U.S. workers, generally leading to high blood pressure and diabetes. There's no way around the fact that the lifestyle of a truck driver can be damaging to one's health and well-being. High demands, long hours spent seated behind the wheel, poor eating habits and lack of exercise while on the road all create a perfect storm for obesity and illness. A CDC survey shows that three out of four truckers say that they do not get the recommended amount of physical activity, that being 2.5 hours of combined moderate-intensity and muscle-strengthening training a week for adults. In fact, only one out of four male truck drivers say that they fit 30 minutes of exercise into their schedules five days a week. Lack of exercise isn't just dangerous for a truck driver's health. It can also threaten their livelihood. If a professional truck driver develops a medical condition that impacts their ability to drive, they may be in jeopardy of losing their commercial operating license. Fortunately, truck drivers don't need to resign themselves to living sedentary lifestyles just because they spend a great deal of time on the road. There are many hacks for staying fit and active while pulling long hours. Tips for Exercising as a Truck Driver Trucks drivers don't have the luxury of enjoying a consistent, home-based schedule. They need dynamic, adaptive exercise protocols that work anywhere. These tips can help your health for the long run even if you drive the long haul! Be Opportunistic The world is your gym when you're a long-haul truck driver. When presented with downtime, it's important to scope out areas in the vicinity that are fit for exercise. Look online for nearby trails, public parks with running loops, truck stops with gyms, or school running tracks that are open to the public. Even a neighborhood with sidewalks can be enough to get in a good walk or jog. Just make sure it’s legal and safe to park your truck while you’re getting your exercise. Bring Travel Workout Equipment on the Road You can build a scaled-down gym in your cab if you know what to pack! Portable, lightweight exercise equipment that works out the same parts of the body as massive pieces of gym equipment are easy to find. Resistance bands, kettlebells, and dumbbells are all great for building lean muscle. If you're looking for a fun way to get in your daily cardio, a folding bike is excellent. Don't forget to invest in a pair of sturdy, comfortable sneakers to prevent foot injuries that could impede your driving abilities! Log Your Exercise It's easy to lose track of time when you're pulling long hours. Unfortunately, the blur of the road causes many long-haul truckers to lose motivation. Log your exercise daily to stay accountable! You can also consider enlisting the help of friends, family, or fellow truck drivers to stay accountable. Research shows that having a weight-loss "buddy" actually helps individuals to lose more weight compared to people who attempt to make changes without peer support. Worker Smarter to Avoid Working Harder Time is the most precious resource any trucker has. That's why optimizing workouts to burn as much fat as quickly as possible is often a good approach for drivers. Heat is one option. Time-pressed people in every profession are increasingly "working smarter" using <a href="https://www.hotworx.net/blog/make-fat-scream-with-infrared-training">infrared workouts</a> that turn up the heat to tone up the body. During an infrared workout, the body is oxidizing fat as part of a chemical reaction that transforms fatty acids into energy. The best way to describe infrared training is to say that it makes fat "scream" by using elevated temperatures to increase heart rate for greater caloric expenditure and fat burning. Additionally, infrared heat boosts blood circulation to muscle tissues to enhance exercise performance. A Healthy Lifestyle on the Road Is Possible A thousand miles can create a thousand excuses to not get fit when you're a long-haul truck driver. Everything changes once you realize that fitness is one of the keys to success on the road. Being consistent, working smarter, and understanding that healthy living is the only choice for long term success as a truck driver.

Oct 05, 2023

Women in Motion and Trucker Path Join Forces to Enhance Safety and Convenience at Truck Stops Austin, Texas – Today, American Trucking Associations' Women in Motion proudly announces a strategic partnership with Trucker Path, a significant stride towards addressing and improving the concerns of women while on the road. “ATA is committed to bringing more women into our industry and addressing their concerns. This partnership between Women in Motion and Trucker Path is a way to address one of the persistent concerns women in trucking express – safety,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “Helping women drivers identify truck parking facilities with essential amenities like well-lit parking, bathroom access and on-site security will play a role in addressing this longtime challenge for our industry.” Through this new partnership with Women in Motion, Trucker Path will be adding a number of features to its existing mobile app that will help women identify and locate facilities that have seven specific features: • Lighted parking • Lighted bathroom access • Lighted lounge areas • Lighted shower facilities with 24/7 access • Lighted laundry facilities with 24/7 access • Round-the-clock maintenance • Onsite security Facilities with all seven will be marked with the Women in Motion logo. Drivers will be able to provide updates on the condition of these amenities through the Trucker Path mobile app. “We are thrilled to introduce this innovative feature to our platform, a decision that deeply resonates with our commitment to inclusivity,” said Trucker Path CMO Chris Oliver. “Through our platform, women can seamlessly identify stops along their routes offering amenities catering to their needs, all while accessing real-time information on parking availability. Moreover, they can contribute valuable comments and reviews that will serve as a valuable resource for fellow women drivers. We eagerly anticipate our continued growth alongside Women in Motion as we collectively endeavor to make our industry more inclusive and welcoming for all.” “Women in Motion and ATA have made increasing access to safe truck parking a primary mission, so helping women find those facilities while on the road is the next logical step in our furthering that mission,” said Women in Motion Co-Chair Sarah Rajtik, ATA Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Operations and Industry Affairs. “We’re proud to announce this partnership here, and we are looking forward to continuing our important work to make the trucking industry safer and more inclusive.” To learn more about Women in Motion, visit <a href="https://www.trucking.org/WomenInMotion">https://www.trucking.org/WomenInMotion.</a> <a href="https://www.trucking.org/">American Trucking Associations</a> is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on <a href="https://twitter.com/TRUCKINGdotORG">Twitter</a> or on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/truckingdotorg/">Facebook</a>. <a href="https://truckingmovesamerica.com/">Trucking Moves America Forward</a> Contact: Sean McNally 703-838-1995

Oct 15, 2023

Digitalization In Logistics: Impact On Efficiency, Sustainability, And Customer Experience The logistics industry, a vital part of the global economy, serves as the backbone of trade and commerce. Its role has only grown in importance with the rise of e-commerce and a more globalized economy. Today, digitalization is emerging as a potent force in logistics, with the potential to revolutionize the industry. It's reshaping operations, enhancing efficiencies, promoting sustainability, and transforming customer experiences. This article presents an in-depth exploration of these transformations, investigating how digitalization affects these critical facets of the logistics industry. Digitalization and Efficiency in Logistics Efficiency is the lifeblood of logistics. It's what allows goods to move smoothly, reliably, and cost-effectively. With digitalization, the industry has found new ways to enhance efficiency. Real-time tracking systems, for example, provide unprecedented insights into routing and delivery times. By analyzing traffic and weather data, these systems allow logistics operators to preempt delays, find the best routes, and guarantee timely deliveries. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the digital logistics landscape is another crucial efficiency driver. AI-powered automation is streamlining logistics processes, minimizing human error, and boosting productivity. AI can predict maintenance requirements for vehicles or warehouse machinery, reducing downtime and preventing costly breakdowns. Advanced analytics is another critical component of digitalization in logistics, providing powerful tools for decision-making and strategy formulation. Advanced analytics can scrutinize historical and real-time data, identify patterns, predict trends, and provide actionable insights for logistics providers. This data-driven approach can lead to strategic decisions that boost efficiency, save costs, and enhance competitiveness. To illustrate, let's consider how a <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/improving-warehouse-operations-digitally">digital twin can boost efficiency</a>. By using a digital warehouse-design approach, companies simulated various scenarios to optimize warehousing, kitting, and value-added operations. The outcome was a significant reduction in both capital expenditures (capex) and operating expenses. Digitalization and Sustainability in Logistics Sustainability is fast becoming a non-negotiable in logistics. With climate change and environmental concerns taking center stage, the industry is under mounting pressure to minimize its environmental footprint — and digitalization offers innovative solutions to achieve this goal. One way digital tools contribute to sustainability is by <a href="https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/truck-gps/">improving route planning and fuel efficiency</a>. By identifying the shortest and most efficient routes, logistics providers can reduce fuel consumption and limit carbon emissions. Additionally, predictive analytics can forecast potential issues like vehicle breakdowns that would increase emissions and waste resources. Digital technology is also encouraging the transition to green logistics. For example, digital tools can help companies measure their carbon footprint, allowing them to set and achieve sustainability goals. Moreover, with the help of advanced analytics, companies can optimize their operations to become <a href="https://www.saloodo.com/blog/digital-logistics-transformation-sustainability/">more environmentally friendly</a>. Lastly, digitalization is enabling new, sustainable business models. Returns management apps and automated inventory solutions can both aid in waste reduction and promote recycling. The emergence of green and reverse logistics models also illustrates the transformative potential of digitalization in the pursuit of sustainability. Digitalization and Customer Experience in Logistics Customer experience is, without a doubt, a defining competitive parameter in almost any industry. Thanks to digitalization, logistics providers can now offer superior services, timely delivery, and enhanced communication with their customers. Digital tools have significantly improved communication between companies and customers. Online platforms and mobile apps have enabled customers to track their orders in real time, get instant updates, and communicate with logistics providers easily. This transparency fosters trust, enhances customer satisfaction, and is basically redefining <a href="https://redstagfulfillment.com/3pl-definition-process-resources/">what is a 3PL</a>. Digital tools are also simplifying logistics processes for customers. For instance, online platforms allow customers to easily place orders, make payments, and arrange deliveries. In the age of e-commerce, such ease of use can be a decisive factor for customers when choosing a logistics provider. A case in point is DHL, a global logistics company that has <a href="https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-ph/logistics-advice/logistics-insights/Logistics-4-0-How-is-DHL-Transforming-its-Operations-With-Digitalisation">redefined customer experience through digitalization</a>. With the help of various digital tools, DHL has streamlined processes, improved operations, and enhanced communication with its customers. These efforts resulted in increased transparency, real-time updates, and improved overall customer satisfaction. Challenges and Opportunities with Digitalization in Logistics Digitalization, despite its tremendous potential, brings along a unique set of challenges that logistics companies must effectively manage to fully capitalize on its benefits. Here's a snapshot of some of these challenges: ● Data security: As logistics companies become more reliant on digital tools and technologies, they expose themselves to an increased risk of cyberattacks and data breaches. The situation mandates the implementation of robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive data. ● Continuous adaptation: The technology landscape is constantly evolving, with new tools and solutions emerging at a breakneck pace. To stay competitive, logistics companies must be proactive, continuously updating their technological capabilities, upskilling employees, and fostering a culture of innovation. ● Return on investment: The cost of digital transformation can be high, and it can take time for companies to see a return on their investment. Businesses need to be strategic about what technologies they invest in, and have a clear plan for how these technologies will generate a return. On the flip side, digitalization also opens up numerous opportunities for various stakeholders in the industry. The ability to make the best of technology can lead to enhanced operations, superior services, and business growth. Here are some of these opportunities: ● Efficiency enhancement: Technologies such as real-time tracking and AI can revolutionize operations for a wide range of stakeholders. Truck drivers, for instance, can <a href="https://www.transportpro.net/">significantly improve their efficiency</a> by using these tools. ● Effective connection: Digital platforms provide freight brokers with a unique ability to efficiently connect shippers and carriers, thereby improving services and creating new business opportunities. ● Data-driven decision making: Digital tools enable access to vast amounts of data that can be used to make informed, strategic decisions. This could range from route optimization based on real-time traffic data to predictive vehicle maintenance based on AI algorithms. The increasingly competitive landscape of the logistics industry makes the adoption of digitalization not just beneficial but crucial. Companies that can adapt swiftly and intelligently to incorporate digitalization into their business model will hold a competitive edge. Parting Thoughts As we've explored, digitalization is a game-changer in the logistics industry, acting as a cornerstone for profound transformation across efficiency, sustainability, and customer experience. Its influence is far-reaching, altering the way we approach logistics by infusing smarter, more sustainable, and more customer-centric solutions into daily operations. This digital momentum is unstoppable. The key is understanding the opportunities and being proactive to integrate these technologies into your operations. The takeaway? Embrace digitalization as your ally. By doing so, you will not only navigate the challenges ahead but also leverage digitalization's full potential — creating a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry. Source: <a href="https://redstagfulfillment.com/">Red Stag Fulfillment</a> ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Many thanks to our guest contributor, Alex Selwitz, for authoring this blog post! <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/07/Alex-Photo.png"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/07/Alex-Photo.png" alt="" width="206" height="205" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7236" /></a> Alex Selwitz is the Director of SEO for <a href="https://redstagfulfillment.com/">Red Stag Fulfillment</a>, an eCommerce fulfillment warehouse that was born out of eCommerce. He has years of experience in eCommerce and digital marketing. In his free time, Alex enjoys playing guitar and learning about new trends in the digital world.

Jul 13, 2023