May 04, 2015

Trucker Path crowd-sourcing parking info

The Trucker Path multifunction smartphone app introduced a new feature for the app, which enables truckers to provide and access parking availability information for locations across the country. The parking status feature for truck stop and other parking locations allows users to input whether parking is available or not when in a location. Other searching users can then see those reports with information about their recency included.

Trucker Path describes the new parking feature as leveraging “crowdsourcing to show truckers whether parking is available at these locations, saving truckers and trucking companies a tremendous amount of time and money, not to mention inconvenience.”

“Our goal was always to make truckers’ lives easier with technology, and this truck parking load status feature is a huge step towards that.”
– said Ivan Tsybaev, Trucker Path CEO

The feature adds to what the company says is an extensive set of location reviews by driver users all geared toward helping truckers find stops that meet their needs.

Source: Override

How to find better freight brokers. And carriers [p]There’s a reason most Independent Owner Operators have relationships with freight brokers: They don’t have the time and resources it takes to find a steady stream of loads, in addition to time and resources it takes to haul a steady stream of loads. That’s not even counting the time and resources it takes to [i]manage[/i] loads from point to point.[/p] [h2]There’s a better way than Load Boards to get the information you need[/h2] [p][b]How many drivers have time for [i]that[/i]?[/b][/p] [p]Lisa Lowery with Birmingham, Alabama-based [a href="http://www.baggettservicesinc.com/"]Baggett Services[/a] – where revenues today are more than ten times what they were before 2010 – points to the sheer volume of busy-work she handles for drivers.[/p] [p]“Number one would be cold calling,” she says. In other words, building a strong network of quality customers who need the kind of freight shipped that pays well. One of Baggett’s main sources for quality loads over the past few years has been the commercial Aerospace industry. Not the easiest market to crack, but certainly a very good one, once you’ve proven yourself.[/p] [p]Another time-consuming task would be building and maintaining a Rate Matrix. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, a Rate Matrix is a hauler’s per-mile price on a state-by-state basis. It’s a relatively new concept to the industry, but one that more and more shippers require from brokers as a reference point when comparing prices for loads. And naturally, the more brokers have to compete on price, the less time and energy they can afford to dedicate to service – and the more valuable a broker’s computer-automated support becomes.[/p] [p][b]We have the technology...[/b][/p] [p]“In just the past year alone, our business has become a lot more computer-driven,” says Lowery. And while the percentage of truckers with smartphones and tablets rose, according to [a href="http://www.ccjdigital.com/"]CCJ[/a], from 30 % in 2011 to 80 % by the end of 2014, “most drivers still aren’t that interested in using technology to manage the kind of work we do for them every day.”[/p] [p][b]... so what’s wrong with the technology?[/b][/p] [p]One big reason drivers may be reluctant to rely more on technology for their business is the number of bad stories connected to Load Boards. The main reason for that? Lack of reliable information, through Load Boards, about Brokers. And, for that matter, about Carriers.[/p] [p][b]The future? Better information for everyone.[/b][/p] [p]Charlie Myers – a 35+ year industry veteran and President, from 2002 to 2008 of Getloaded.com – believes the industry’s future is in the Marketplace concept, where quality information is freely available to everyone interested in connecting online. “Trust is a huge issue in our business, and information is the key to building trust.[/p] [p][b]Trust, but verify![/b][/p] [p]“In the ideal online marketplace, both parties benefit. Carriers should be able to see what loads a broker has, and brokers should have easy access to critical background info on carriers that’s published by the government – from their CSA scores to their safety ratings and insurance coverage. Most importantly, in that marketplace, [i]everyone[/i] has the opportunity to offer candid ratings and feedback about their working experiences.[/p] [p]“That kind of Open Information environment has a great way of attracting quality partners, and driving out the people who give our industry a bad name,” Myers continues. And while the overwhelming majority of brokers and carriers are honest business people, just about anyone in the business has been burned at least once.[/p] [p]How long before the marketplace concept takes hold? Stay tuned.[/p] [br][p][i]SUMMARY: Advice for independent carriers looking to expand their network of quality brokers and shippers, from the developers of Trucker Path – an App which is now accepting members to its Truckloads trucking marketplace.[/i][/p]

May 18, 2015

Trucker Path downloads pass the 240,000 mark [p]With nearly 7000 ratings at the Google Play store, and an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5, we couldn’t be happier. OK, so maybe we’d be happier if [i]everyone[/i] gave us a 5-star rating – but then, we wouldn’t be as motivated to keep improving. Here’s a breakdown of our ratings as of June 2, 2015:[/p] [h2]Find out what other users are saying about us, and how you can benefit[/h2] [p][b]Total number of ratings: 6804[/b][/p] [ul] [li]5-star: 5152 (76 %)[/li] [li]4-star: 1195 (18 %)[/li] [li]3-star: 239 (4 %)[/li] [li]2-star: 95 (1 %)[/li] [li]1-star: 123 (2 %)[/li] [/ul] [p]Below is a representative sample of what our users have said about Trucker Path.[/p] [h2]Five star ratings[/h2] [p][b]Raymond M.[/b][/p] [p][i]CHICKEN HUT NOT. I use this app more than my GPS. It’s fast and it knows all the Mom and Pop truck stops. Also you get an idea if anyone is in the chicken coop.[/i][/p][br] [p][b]Jeff L.[/b][/p] [p][i]LOVE IT. Now I know if the scale houses are open or not, so while getting fuel I don't have to worry that I'll be over weight because I got an extra 10 gal of fuel. I'm probably doing something wrong, but when I put a destination address in it does not set up the trip route to follow. Otherwise love this program. Every load I run, I have this program running. Love knowing if a weigh station is open or not. Makes the difference of running with fuel or fumes to make weight.[/i][/p][br] [p][b]Brandon S.[/b][/p] [p][i]This app is awesome. It's like a CB radio and a truck stop guide all in one.[/i][/p][br] [p][b]Danny S.[/b][/p] [p][i]GREAT APP. I deleted my other truck apps. Super handy and is a big help trying to find a place to park.[/i][/p][br] [p][b]Greg B.[/b][/p] [p][i]GREAT APP. Really helps truck drivers know where to park and eat and sleep.[/i][/p][br] [p][b]Raymond M.[/b][/p] [p][i]AWESOME. This makes the job sooo much easier and safer. Thnx. Awesome tool.[/i][/p][br] [p][b]Ted T.[/b][/p] [p][i]I LIKE IT BUT... I often find obscure truck stops all around the country that aren't listed and would like to post as a courtesy to other drivers. That would be a helpful addition for all of us.[/i][/p] [p][b]NOTE TO TED:[/b] Hi. You can do that! Go to Menu-Feedback-Add new place. Thank you.[/p][br] [p][b]Tavo S.[/b][/p] [p][i]BEST APP EVER!! Saved me from a violation, everything about it is perfect thanks to the inventor. I’m new on trucking and this is the app to have old or new. I was about to buy a little book for parking spots but no need. For that I would pay to have this app. You guys should merge with radar express and ur app would be little more complete.[/i][/p][br] [p][b]Abe K.[/b][/p] [p][i]GREAT APP. Absolutely love this app, the more people that use it, the more effective it will be![/i][/p][br] [h2]Four star ratings[/h2] [p][b]Johnny R.[/b][/p] [p][i]Really helpful and is very handy very informative, especially in areas I am NOT familiar with. Highly recommended for all drivers.[/i][/p][br] [p][b]Robert M.[/b][/p] [p][i]ALMOST PERFECT. Love the weigh station feature, but the gps function is almost useless. If u leave the app or get a call u have to redo the destination. If u could save ur routes it would definitely be 5 stars.[/i][/p][br] [p][b]Andrew D.[/b][/p] [p][i]O/O. So far so good, but like to learn how to put in information.[/i][/p][br] [p][b]Kenny S.[/b][/p] [p][i]TOTALLY TWISTED TRANSPORT OWNER OPERATOR. I think it's a great app. But it's only as reliable as another driver inputs the correct info. I've found some false info.[/i][/p][br] [h2]Three star ratings[/h2] [p][b]Sondra D.[/b][/p] [p][i]Cool. Glad to have it. I am a truck driver so thank you.[/i][/p][br] [p][b]Misty P.[/b][/p] [p][i]Always stops working. It would be better if they would fix the bugs.[/i][/p] [p][b]NOTE TO MISTY:[/b] We are working on that. Thank you.[/p][br] [h2]Two star ratings[/h2] [p][b]John P.[/b][/p] [p][i]GOOD APP BUT. Latest update holds GPS after app is exited. Only thing I’ve found is to greenify it to release GPS. Edit disabling freight tracking did not fix problem.[/i][/p] [p][b]FULL DISCLOSURE:[/b] John P. actually gave us three stars, but we scrolled (on our phones) and searched (on our computers) to the end of the published ratings, and we couldn’t find a single one with two stars. Our sincere apologies.[/p] [br] [p][b]How can we improve your Trucker Path experience?[/b][/p] [p]We really do want to hear from you, and we’ll always try to help when we can. Please send your feedback and suggestions to [a href="mailto:team@truckerpath.com"]team@truckerpath.com[/a]. Thanks again![/p] [br][p][i]SUMMARY: A cross section of Google Play user reviews and comments on Trucker Path – the best App for truckers (company drivers, owner operators and independent carriers),available as a free download for Android and iPhone – helps truckers find parking at truck stops, rest areas and overnight parking lots. The app also helps truckers find open weigh stations and nearby TRANSFLO.[/i][/p]

May 28, 2015

Where are the best truck stops, and how do you find them? [p]In the summer of 2014, [a href="http://bit.ly/1J9KBEa"]Talking Truckers[/a] published a list of the six truck stops that appeared on the most Top Ten US Truck Stops polls published online.[/p] [h2]Yep, there’s an app for that![/h2] [p]Those truck stops (in alphabetical order) are:[/p] [ul] [li][a href="http://iowa80truckstop.com/"]IOWA 80[/a] (Walcott, IA)[/li] [li][a href="http://flagstaff.littleamerica.com/travel-center/gas-and-fuel-prices"]LITTLE AMERICA[/a] (Flagstaff, AZ)[/li] [li][a href="https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=MORRIS+TRAVEL+CENTER+truck+stop+illinois"]MORRIS TRAVEL CENTER[/a] (Morris, IL)[/li] [li][a href="http://www.sappbros.net/travel-centers/"]SAPP BROTHERS[/a] (Sydney, NE)[/li] [li][a href="http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/"]SOUTH OF THE BORDER[/a] (Hamer, SC)[/li] [li][a href="http://www.primmvalleyresorts.com/whiskey-petes"]WHISKEY PETE’S[/a] (Primm, NV)[/li] [/ul] [p]That said, our search for websites for the six winners above highlights the difficulty of answering the question posed in this piece’s headline. Given the revenue generated by a well-run truck stop, you’d probably think all six would have easy-to-find websites. You’d be wrong.[/p] [p]In fact, one of the six (Morris) didn’t even have a single page dedicated to it on TA /Petro’s website, while Whiskey Pete’s page in the Primm Valley Casino Resorts site mentions nothing about the truck stop itself.[/p] [p][b]So how do you find good truck stops?[/b][/p] [p]We’ve already demonstrated the problem with relying strictly on the Internet for ratings. There are still huge gaps in the information published online. Which is why, until very recently, there was only one [i]mostly[/i] reliable source of information. Word of mouth. We say “mostly” because opinions can vary widely – and what one driver considers good may not be remotely important to another driver.[/p] [p]At the same time, Word of Mouth isn’t always available where you need it, when you need it.[/p] [p][b]What if there were an app for that?[/b][/p] [p]That’s exactly what the founders of the Trucker Path app asked themselves when they started development of its Trip Planner feature – which shows users every major truck stop along whatever route they type into its extremely user-friendly interface.[/p] [p]Truck stops are displayed either as pins on a map or in List View – which displays results from the closest to the farthest along your route, by miles, and includes each truck stop’s address [i]and[/i] user rating. Tap on a truck stop’s listing, and you’ll find the following information and / or options:[/p] [ul] [li]Current fuel price[/li] [li]Directions[/li] [li]Phone / fax / web address[/li] [li]Parking availability and parking load history[/li] [li]Scales? Y/N[/li] [li]Showers? (# available)[/li] [li]Wi-Fi Internet[/li] [li]ATM[/li] [li]Bulk DEF[/li] [li]Tire care? Y/N[/li] [li]TRANSFLOW Express[/li] [li]RV dump station? (# available)[/li] [li]Overnight parking? (Y/N)[/li] [li]Truck parking spots[/li] [li]Nearby restaurants with distance & directions from truck stop[/li] [/ul] [p]And on top of all that information, the app features user ratings on thousands of those truck stops. Programming, for instance, the 146-mile trip from Birmingham to Atlanta yields 26 truck stops. Not to mention three Weigh Stations and one Overnight Parking lot. The app also lists route-side truck washes, rest areas and Walmarts.[/p] [p]So remember: The next time somebody tells you they’re having a hard time finding good truck stops, you have a ready response: “There’s an app for that.”[/p] [br][p][i]SUMMARY: An overview of the best US truck stops, from the developers of Trucker Path – rated one of the best Apps for truckers. Among its many features, the app helps truckers find open weigh stations and nearby TRANSFLO.[/i][/p]

May 11, 2015