Currently, the North American trucking and transportation industry is one of the strongest in the world, worth approximately close to $900 Billion in 2023. However, there is still much left to be desired in uncertain times. Fleet managers and major companies are competing in an unsatisfied market due to shortages in drivers, new mandate requirements, and uncertain futures.
That’s why fleet managers and major supply and transportation companies are on the edge about what 2023 has to bring for the fleet management market. Especially Now that the ELD mandate (electronic logging device (ELD) mandate passed and placed in full effect as of January 1st, 2023.) is being fully enforced across Canada and the USA, fleet managers must effectively manage hours of service (HOS) data for compliance, on top of all the other demands faced. The ELD mandate basically requires all commercial motor vehicle fleets in Canada to implement, track and utilize certified ELD devices.
A fleet management system that ensures ongoing mobility of assets is more important than ever in navigating what 2022 has shown to be an unpredictable supply network. Here are some of our top predictions to trends for fleet managers navigating 2023.
Commercial fleet drivers are increasingly turning to in-vehicle infotainment systems. These systems provide drivers with information, entertainment, and even simulated gaming solutions through OEM in-house development or partnerships with technology providers. The benefit of this is that many drivers have expressed interest in these features, which could lead to increased driver retention in the transportation industry. Retention will continue to be a challenge for transportation companies, and the use of technology to make life easier for everyone will lead to competitive advantages.
Fleet managers will have to continue and increase focus on safety standards to keep drivers and other road users safe. An opportunity to improve safety standards on the road is adopting and incorporating artificial intelligence based dash-cams that enable driver monitoring, coaching and recommendations such as “you seem tired, pull over and take a nap”, and other intelligent safety recognition features.
The next wave will be AI-powered dash cams that help you monitor, coach and recommend your driving skills.
Dash-cams are already available on the market, but they're usually limited by their rigid programming. For example, if you forget to turn on your headlights, the camera won't remind you—and if you're speeding or following too closely, it probably won't say anything either. But AI integrated dash-cams can change all that.
Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that can be used for both monitoring and coaching your driving skills. A camera with an AI-powered system can learn from its mistakes and make recommendations for how to improve—like warning against tailgating or recommending that you take a break from driving if fatigue is setting in.
The average age of vehicles in the US has been steadily rising for five years running, according to new research from S&P Global Mobility. This year’s average age represents another record high, at 12.2 years.
The driving force behind this gradual increase in average age is attributed to the continuous impact of supply chain restrictions, which has resulted in a decline in vehicle scrap to be reused for repairs.
To combat over-use, traveled miles buildup and overall constant deterioration of vehicles, route optimization is key. CloudHawk offers intelligent route optimization and mapping between drivers and fleet managers via the CloudHawk Portal. By efficiently mapping drivers routes to the most effective and fastest routes available, commercial transport trucks will spend less time on the road, reducing the natural deterioration incurred by frequent stops, slow driving, and harsh environmental conditions.
This trend is likely to continue as long as there are supply chain issues and as long as EVs remain more expensive than traditional vehicles. This trend only increases the costs and shortage of available repairs for beaten down and overused commercial transport vehicles. Fleet managers and engineers should pay close attention to the rising costs of repairs and maintenance.
The trucking industry is moving towards a standardized future of connected vehicles. As more data is shared between trucks and trailers, fleet managers are being bombarded with information. And with the evolving smart trailer landscape, even more is on the way.
Smart trailer components such as embedded wheel ends, suspensions, brakes, lamps, weight, cargo temperature, doors and tethered status can communicate with tractor drivers as well as the home office and repair facilities. Fleets can use actionable analytics to assist them in making better decisions when presented with this information in an easy-to-understand way.
Truck platooning is a new technology that has the potential to revolutionize the trucking industry. It’s a technique wherein multiple trucks drive closely behind each other at high speeds to reduce air drag.
The benefits of truck platooning are twofold: it can increase fuel efficiency by up to 10% and significantly reduce emissions. The latter has made this method of transportation especially attractive for cities with environmental concerns, such as Toronto, Los Angeles, and others.
Truck platooning will become more prevalent in 2023 and beyond, as research has shown that driving in this formation significantly increases fuel efficiency. However, it’s not just about saving money—this method of transportation also reduces traffic congestion and improves road safety by reducing accidents caused by human error during long-haul trips.
However, tight coordination during the trip comes down to efficient end-to-end communication. Truck platooning systems will benefit from an integrated solution that communicates the component health information between technicians, drivers, and fleet managers. It’s less likely that a potential problem will slip through the cracks if you communicate issues like tires, brakes, and fluid to each party at all times.
The fleet management industry is continuously evolving. Fleets should prepare for a number of changes to strategy, operations, and technology in 2023. If you’re looking to gain confidence and predict the unexpected, stay up to date with mandates, and/or are looking for fleet management systems and devices, check out CloudHawk.com and speak with a representative on how you can upgrade your fleet.