Trucking in the Age of Big Data

Things have changed quite a bit since the early days of trucking – the nostalgic Wild West days when drivers could hit the road for months at a time with nothing but a CB radio and a map. Truckers drove old rigs with bad brakes, manual motors and no air conditioning. Rest stops, showers, qualified mechanics, and sleep were all hard to come by, but many look back on those rough-riding times as the glory days.

Today, Truckers drive brand new big rigs with all the comforts and curses of modern technology. Computers keep track of logging hours and driving habits, as well as facilitate communication, navigation and accident prevention. The result is a safer road for everyone to travel. However, the new push for safety is also having unintended consequences.

For example, automated logging and federal regulations have proven to be especially tricky for long haul drivers travelling through congested cities, roadblocks, and severe weather. Any slight delay could mean a hefty ticket for a trucker, and the simple act of finding a place to park often sends drivers 15-30 minutes over their allowed time.

Another issue is a drastic driver shortage due to high turnover. Many old school truckers aren’t too happy about the new wave of safety regulations and amped-up supervision. Meanwhile, youngbloods must submit to drug testing, and have to be ready for real-time analysis of their driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and logging hours. Fleet managers and risk assessment companies are constantly analyzing, planning and directing operations, which means that there is no longer a feeling of “freedom on the open road”.

But it’s not all bad. GPS and geo-fencing technology can help identify problem areas before the driver gets trapped in one. Automatic logs help prevent company owners from forcing long driving hours on their employees. And, the young recruits that get on the safety and supervision bandwagon are sure to be some of the most professional and qualified drivers on the road.

It’s certainly not a bad time to be a trucker, it’s just a bad time to be a “risky” trucker.