There’s a common misconception that truck driving is a dull and monotonous job requiring minimal experience or credentials. In reality, trucking is a fast-paced occupation that involves many uncommon pieces of technology.
Here are seven interesting devices truckers use daily that might surprise you.
1. Dynamic Routing
Dynamic routing is an essential trucking technology that helps drivers find the fastest routes. It allows them to manage all kinds of obstacles, including traffic jams, road construction and inclement weather. Most truckers get paid by the mile instead of having a traditional salary, so avoiding delays improves their compensation.
There are several dynamic routing protocols drivers might use:
- Open Shortest Path First
- Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol
- Routing Information Protocol
- Border Gateway Protocol
The most common dynamic routing protocol in trucking is Open Shortest Path First, which identifies the fastest possible route more accurately than a standard GPS. Trucking companies can also use dynamic routers to incorporate last-minute stops into the driver’s path. This ability helps businesses secure more business opportunities.
2. Driver Scorecards
You’ve probably seen many semi-trucks with the “How’s My Driving?” sticker and the organization’s phone number on the back. This sticker is one of the many small ways trucking companies hold their drivers accountable for mistakes. Another crucial part of trucker evaluations is the driver scorecard.
Driver scorecards evaluate their performance based on average speeds, aggressive behavior, idling and many other factors. A fleet telematics system tracks these safety metrics and relays the information to the fleet manager, who fills out the scorecard accordingly. This technology enables businesses to reward their safe drivers and weed out the dangerous ones.
Driver scorecards are also essential for tracking a truck’s mileage, as the driver’s habits can significantly impact gas mileage. Fleet managers can use scorecards to identify and adjust wasteful practices.
3. Collision Mitigation Systems
It’s no secret that semi-trucks are overrepresented in automobile accidents due to their size and weight. These factors are enough to explain the importance of collision mitigation systems, which helps truckers reduce the risk of an accident and makes everyone on the road safer.
Collision mitigation systems use sensory technology to alert drivers about possible threats. It can identify cars in the truck’s blind spot and has a short-range radar that causes the truck to brake automatically if it detects an obstacle ahead. Some systems even have an electronic stability feature that prevents rollovers and loss-of-control accidents.
4. Toll Transponders
Toll transponders are wireless transmitters that track highway traffic and provide an efficient way to charge interstate travelers. Although tolls are minor inconveniences for passenger vehicles, they play critical roles in a trucking organization’s daily operations. They help fleet managers track each truck’s progress and collect important toll payment information.
Underground sensors in toll transponders can also count the number of axels on a vehicle, which partly determines the toll cost. Semi-trucks have higher toll prices for this reason, but authorities can adjust the rate based on the season and time of day to accommodate traffic pattern changes.
5. Temperature Trackers
The Food Safety Modernization Act requires businesses transporting food and live animals to adhere to strict sanitation standards, including proper temperatures. Trucking companies have implemented temperature trackers to ensure their drivers follow these standards. This simple tracking device plays a key role in protecting food supplies and reducing food loss.
Sometimes truckers have to haul different food items in one trip, such as milk and fruit. These products have varying temperature requirements, which can be challenging to maintain. Temperature trackers help organizations maintain different temperatures throughout the trailer’s various compartments.
6. Electronic Logging Devices
For decades, hours of service logs were a major weakness in the trucking industry. Drivers lied about their performance and distance driven all the time, significantly hurting the industry’s public perception. Truckers could fill out an inaccurate log, get overcompensated and repeat the same scam with another business.
Electronic logging devices are much more transparent. They connect to the truck’s engine and record when it’s in motion. They also have different time categories based on the truck’s movement, including on-duty, off-duty, drive and sleep. This information can transfer to the trucking company and law enforcement as necessary.
7. Entertainment Centers
Many veteran truckers who have their own rigs create portable entertainment centers with Wi-Fi, flatscreen TVs, video game consoles and computers. Truckers don’t have much free time, so they like to take full advantage of every second. The entertainment system helps them stay sane and keep up another hobby on the road.
The semi-truck gaming community has gotten so popular that there’s a huge following on TikTok with nearly 25 million views. Truckers from around the world show off their entertainment centers and give each other installation tips.
Trucking Is More Advanced Than You Think
Although truckers serve a clear purpose in the economy, their jobs are much more advanced than you think. They’re responsible for many pieces of technology inside their vehicles. The trucking industry’s technological advancements will only increase as supply chains become more digitized.
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