Jan 26, 2023

How Often Do Truckers Prefer To Return Home? How Often Do They Actually Return Home?

Where brokers and carriers can find common ground Trucker Path enables brokers to get loads in front of 1 million-plus monthly app users Brokers have thousands of loads that must be moved each year, and finding the capacity to fill such a large amount requires as much exposure as possible. The problem is that reaching a vast number of qualified carriers in one place isn’t easy, especially in ever-shifting market conditions. If you are an employer in the trucking industry, driver safety ought to be your top priority. Every time your drivers climb into one of your fleet vehicles, they risk their physical wellbeing and even their lives, as well as that of other drivers and pedestrians. Navigating the current spot market has become tricky for carriers over the last several months. Readily available capacity has pushed the pricing power dial in favor of shippers, making load procurement in preferred lanes with fair rates more challenging to secure. However, paying for and searching through multiple load boards to find the best loads strains already pinched operating budgets. It also eats up precious time that could be spent moving freight. <a href= "https://truckerpath.com/">TruckerPath</a> bridges the gap between brokers and carriers. Over 1,000 brokers post loads on the fastest-growing load board, <a href= "https://truckerpath.com/truckloads/free-load-board/">TruckLoads,</a> to grow their networks and get in front of the 1 million active drivers and owner-operators that make up the Trucker Path community. Owner-operators can view, negotiate and secure loads from trusted brokers in one place with TruckLoads, which is available via the Trucker Path app or on the various app stores. Brokers can post thousands of loads in minutes via multiple integration options, including application programming interface (API),file transfer protocol (FTP),electronic data interchange (EDI),email or choose from several other options. “The current freight market is very challenging for both carriers and brokers,” said Chris Oliver, chief marketing officer at Trucker Path. “Enabling brokers to increase the visibility of their loads and making it easy for Trucker Path users to secure them provides value to everyone, including consumers of the freight being moved.” Traditionally, carriers and brokers engage in back-and-forth calls to discuss load details, which can often be frustrating for all involved. With Trucker Path, carriers receive all of the necessary load information upfront when they secure a load, allowing them to quickly get moving and saving everybody time. After a load is procured, it is automatically sent to the Trucker Path app, where drivers can then access all the insight needed to get the load from the origin to the destination safely, efficiently and comfortably. The Trucker Path driver app provides access to mapping and navigation tools, as well as providing other essential knowledge along routes, including: <ul> <li>Real-time, predictive parking availability at more than 20,000 truck stops.</li> <li>Weigh station status and queue times.</li> <li>Shipping dock ratings, reviews, photos, amenities, detention reporting and navigation showing exactly where trucks enter/exit the facility.</li> <li>Fuel prices at thousands of locations, updated multiple times daily.</li> <li>Ratings, reviews, photos and listings of over 300,000 trucker-centric points of interest, including rest areas, fuel locations, truck washes and scales, shipping facilities, repair shops, restaurants, hotels and more.</li> </ul> The traditional process of paperwork submission has long caused headaches for drivers and brokers alike. Exchanging important documents can bring what was a smooth procurement and delivery process to a grinding halt. Many ways of submitting those documents cause a number of problems, including being unsearchable due to empty or indiscernible subject lines, becoming buried in an email chain or never even getting attached to an email at all. With Trucker Path, once a load has been delivered, drivers can quickly scan and upload all of the applicable paperwork for the job — a streamlined and organized way to provide brokers with what they need to process payments. The result is both parties getting paid and quickly moving on to their next load. “TruckLoads is another example of how Trucker Path builds technology with the driver in mind, and brokers see the value in this when posting their freight with us,” Oliver said. “The simplified procurement and streamlined communication processes simplify the freight movement process and minimize operational headaches for everyone involved.” Trucker Path’s TruckLoads board provides a seamless load posting, securing, delivering and completion experience that increases efficiency and productivity for both the broker and carrier. <a href= "https://truckerpath.com/truckloads/free-load-board/">To learn more about TruckerPath and its load board being used by a vast network of brokers and carriers, click here.</a>

Oct 29, 2022

How Truck Route Optimization Can Improve Your Fleet’s Productivity and Driver Safety Truck drivers provide an essential service around the world. They are the ones that hit the road for several hours at a time, even days, to transport critical goods that consumers need, from medicine to food and clothing. Yet, life on the road is not easy. It can be a lonely life, rife with risk and quite gruelling. The nature of the job requires drivers to be mentally and physically strong and capable of driving and being attentive for many miles without falling asleep behind the wheel. A person needs a lot of stamina to stay awake after driving for several hours at a time, which can be pretty taxing While the job certainly has its bonuses and benefits, the fact remains that being a truck driver means facing specific challenges unique to the trucking industry. If you are an employer in the trucking industry, driver safety ought to be your top priority. Every time your drivers climb into one of your fleet vehicles, they risk their physical wellbeing and even their lives, as well as that of other drivers and pedestrians. According to the <a href= "https://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx">US Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)</a>, large trucks accounted for 8.9% of the vehicles in fatal crashes in 2020, with 4,842 large trucks involved in fatal crashes. The good news for the industry is that means 91% of the vehicles involved in fatal crashes were not large trucks. Nevertheless, with grim statistics like these, ensuring the safety of your drivers is a pertinent responsibility that your organization cannot afford to ignore. Not only is it in the best interests of your driver's wellbeing, but it is also important for the profitability and sustainability of your trucking company. Route planning software enables you to improve your truck driver safety while also improving efficiency and productivity. Challenges truck drivers face. Truck drivers spend most of their time on the road travelling from state to state, city to city, and people often don't appreciate how challenging this can be. Truck parking is continuously ranked as one of truck drivers' main challenges. Struggling to find available truck parking can create dangerous situations for drivers, forcing them to drive beyond their available HOS time in search of a suitable place to park. Paying overnight fees or wasting fuel getting to a truck stop to spend the night is not ideal for drivers, and with traditional truck and rest stops filling up quickly, truckers often have no other option but to park in potentially dangerous locations. Similarly, finding other amenities, such as diners and rest stops, grab a bite to eat, or rehydrate, can be a challenge - especially when driving through a place you are unfamiliar with. Dehydration, in particular, poses a problem for truck drivers. When dehydrated, our brain function becomes reserved, leading to issues that impact mental clarity, reaction time, muscle function, and even our mood. Dehydration also affects blood volume causing headaches and dizziness. Proper hydration is vital for driver health and safety, so it is crucial to plan routes ahead of time. Route planning software like Trucker Path can improve efficiency and productivity while, more importantly, keeping drivers safe. How can Trucker Path improve truck driver safety? Trucker Path began its life as a truck-based navigation similar to many others, using GPS systems to find and plan trucking routes; however, thanks to its community of drivers, the app is consistently updated via millions of crowdsourced contributions that help drivers avoid dangerous travel situations and find suitable stops that meet their needs. Today, Trucker Path is the most relied upon real-truck navigation and mapping app in the trucking industry, with over 1 million monthly active users (MAUs). Built and engineered specifically for the truck driver, Trucker Path prioritizes the safety, comfort and wellbeing of drivers. Trucker Path's real-truck navigation recommends routes to avoid low overpasses, sharp turns, poor roads, and other factors to make the driver's journey safer. The Trucker Path app features all the key places for drivers to stop nationwide, along with ratings and reviews from their fellow truckers. They appreciate the straightforward, informative access to all the points of interest they need and the ability to filter the ones that matter to them most. These include: <ul> <li>Parking</li> <li>Weigh Stations</li> <li>Fuel Stops</li> <li>Truck Washes</li> <li>Truck Stops</li> <li>Rest Areas</li> <li>Truck Scales</li> <li>Repair Shops</li> <li>Restaurants</li> <li>Hotels</li> <li>And much more.</li> </ul> With Trucker Path, drivers can be in control of their journey by planning their route ahead of time or adjusting during their journey. How can Trucker Path improve fleet productivity? One of the biggest challenges of driving a truck on busy roads, especially in urban areas, is finding a parking place. Drivers can easily waste an <a href= "https://talkbusiness.net/2021/06/truck-parking-shortage-worsens-new-study-notes-systems-issues/"> hour a day </a> looking for available parking, wasting time and eating into their available HOS. But with the Trucker Path app, they easily find available parking instead of driving around looking for space, saving valuable time and ensuring driver safety. Fuel expenses are always a drain on profitability, especially with diesel prices and inflation at record levels. When you equip your drivers with Trucker Path, fleet managers can optimize their fuel spending and enjoy cost savings. The process could not be more straightforward. Simply enter the truck's MPG and beginning tank volume in the operator portal. Trucker Path identifies your driver's pre-determined fuel stops and fill levels, ensuring you're always purchasing the cheapest fuel available along the route. Trucker Path for Fleets. Improved routing efficiency improves every function of your trucking operation, including driver safety. If you're a trucking fleet company looking to equip your drivers with truck-specific navigation, fuel optimization, available parking, and much more, all in an app customized with your branding, Trucker Path For Fleets is the solution for you. You and your drivers will appreciate the safety and productivity benefits Trucker Path provides. Fleet owners can visit our <a href= "https://truckerpath.com/fleet-app/">website</a> for more information on how to offer the Trucker Path app to their drivers.

Oct 12, 2022

One-stop-shop: How a fledgling small fleet found organization, efficiency with TMS Published on Overdrive (overdriveonline.com) on November 10, 2022. Matt Cole – November 10, 2022 – Dorian Acosta Sr. started <a href="https://www.shippingteleporters.com/">Shipping Teleporters Trucking Company</a> as a family business in late 2020, after spending about a decade driving for other trucking companies. In May of 2021, the company got authority, and Senior turned the company over to his son, Dorian Acosta Jr., who had been handling paperwork and some other duties in the back office. Acosta Sr. still works for the Middletown, Connecticut-based company managing maintenance on their three trucks and four trailers, along with other duties around the business. “My dad, he’s my partner -- we’re right there neck-and-neck,” Acosta Jr. said. “He definitely introduced me into the industry. He had the primary trucking background.” When Acosta Jr. took over as CEO, it was a “baptism by fire,” he said, as he started handling the booking of loads, accounting, driver management and more. “I had no experience in the logistics industry until last year," he said. The company hauls a variety of freight, mostly working the spot market and primarily sticking to the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, and surrounding states. The company’s three trucks are a 2012 Freightliner Cascadia daycab, a 2011 Volvo VNL and a 2012 Kenworth T700. While the company owns a flatbed and walking floor trailer, the two dry vans butter the bread of the business, moving dry goods such as sugar, bottled water and more. Like many small fleet owners, Acosta Jr. had cobbled together a working system for back-office management that hinged in part on the QuickBooks accounting software. “I used QuickBooks for accounting purposes, and they also have an employee time-tracking side of their offerings where drivers can clock in and out to track their time,” he said. “Whenever I was dispatching a driver, I would include what time I needed them. I’d include in the comments section their truck and trailer number, where they have to go, the load numbers, everything.” He acknowledged that people with more experience in the industry “obviously would have known to sign up for some sort of access” to transportation management system (TMS) software, but he was “just learning as we went, dispatching drivers and putting information into the comment section” of the QuickBooks timesheet. “We made do, but we got to a really stressful point where, in April [2022] we ended up researching” TMS software to help the business run more smoothly, he said. After trial runs with a number of providers, Acosta decided to go with Trucker Path Command, which had just launched in March. Trucker Path, of course, has long offered an app geared toward operators that offers navigation, truck stop information, weigh station information, truck parking information and more, leaning on users to provide the in-app community with useful updates about specific locations. “Just the way everything was, the ease and functionality, being able to log in, dispatch a driver, provide them all the information, and they can upload the documents” made the decision easy for Acosta, who said he’s always valued a “one-stop-shop” approach, whether in business or as a consumer. Shipping Teleporters has used the DAT load board since its inception, but since choosing Trucker Path Command as its TMS software, Acosta has started to also rely on Trucker Path’s own TruckLoads board -- access to it is included in Command’s monthly fee. He’s also found great value in the system’s document management and scanning capabilities, through which drivers scan and upload paperwork, receipts and anything else that’s needed in the office. <img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2022/11/Portal-300x152.png" alt="Rather than having to physically get the paperwork out of his trucks every day, or having his drivers text sometimes poor-quality images of the paperwork, Acosta and his operators now have access to intuitive tools for the purpose of sharing documents, stored for easy access all in one place." /> “Before everything was digitized, I was heading down to my truck lot to get paperwork for the drivers, putting proofs of delivery in there for them to get signed,” Acosta said. “Every single day after their load assignments, I would pick up paperwork from their trucks.” Now, he said, the drivers upload the paperwork for him to create invoices within the system, and with its integration with his QuickBooks, he’s able to automatically send invoices either direct to customers or to the factoring company he uses, Factoring Express. When using the load board and negotiating with brokers, Acosta said another valuable tool is a rate calculator that allows him to input all the relevant information to see what he needs to make on a load for it to meet his profit expectations. Command has also been helpful for his drivers, he added. Once he books a load through the software, he can dispatch his drivers by sending the load directly to their phones, and the drivers can use the Trucker Path app’s routing, or Acosta can route the drivers through the app himself to make their jobs easier. I can pull up points of interest -- weigh stations, places to eat and park, fuel stations” -- to help drivers find the best deal on fuel and more, he said. With crowdsourced fuel pricing information from the more than 1 million driver users of the Trucker Path app, managers using Command can send “the route that has the perfect fuel optimization to fuel up, tell them when and where,” said Tom Wulf, senior vice president of sales and strategic partnerships for Trucker Path. <img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2022/11/Truck-Water-Tower-300x221.png" alt="While the company's primary focus is dry van freight, Acosta keeps the fleet's options open with a flatbed trailer, shown here hooked to the company's 2012 Freightliner Cascadia, and a walking floor trailer." /> With future growth in mind, Acosta believes Command will be an invaluable tool as he looks to grow his fleet, integrating in one system a variety of management tools -- from finding and booking a load to dispatching the driver and sending the driver route information, having the fleet’s Motive ELDs integrated into Trucker Path to track hours of service and location information for customers that want load updates, the document-management functions already described... The list goes on. Financial benefits are already apparent, he believes. The company grossed $106,000 from its launch in May of 2021 through the end of the year with two trucks (the third was purchased last December). This year so far, it's pulled in $275,000 in revenue, on pace to pass $330,000 by the end of the year. “It manages the rest of your operation,” Wulf said of Command. “It is a complete, robust system, and it can scale. If you’re a small fleet or owner-operator and you start growing, which is the goal in many cases, you don’t have to switch -- it can scale right with you.” Wulf added that the price point, given the combination of features, “is designed to make this affordable to even the playing field” for owner-operators and small fleets. Acosta agreed, saying that just having a subscription to multiple load boards prior to purchasing Trucker Path Command was more expensive than the monthly subscription. A Command subscription starts at $99 a month, which includes one Operator (manager) license and two Diamond-level Trucker Path driver app subscriptions, which are $29.99 a month if purchased by a driver. An additional Operator seat adds $50 to the monthly cost, and additional driver seats cost an extra $30. Discounts are also available once you surpass 10 drivers. “For everything that [Trucker Path] offers, I can’t believe how affordable the software is,” Acosta said.

Nov 16, 2022