The auto shipping business is a big industry. Car shippers use trucks, railroads, and ships to transport vehicles and even motorcycles. This industry had been experiencing increased demand before the pandemic struck. If the expected economic recovery is anything to go by, then the industry will soon bounce back to where it was.
With the changing technological times, operations in automotive shipping have been improving. Car shippers have continued to embrace technology, enabling them to handle different complexities. From automation to big Data, technology allows car transporters to streamline their operations.
However, many consumers in this industry have no idea how it operates. The following are some basics to help you understand how it works and why:
- Some auto transport companies working directly with clients don’t have trucks. Those companies are known as auto transport brokers. Others have few trucks that can’t ship a car everywhere a client would want. Such companies operate by contracting actual car transporters.
Actual car transporters look for vehicles shipping in the direction they’re traveling. To get their trucks fully loaded with vehicles, they often use websites known as load boards in the industry. Sometimes they get auto transport brokers to help them find clients planning to ship.
- Oftentimes, auto transport brokers provide a vehicle transportation quote before finding a truck. That’s because not all potential clients become actual clients. The broker only finds a car transporter once they’re sure the client will take the shipment at the quoted price.
Technological Trends in the Auto Shipping Industry
With the growing competition, shippers must adopt the existing technologies in the industry. In this article, we will tell you some of the latest technological trends and all you need to know about them. Let’s begin the discussion.
1. Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things is a network of physical objects. It’s installed with the software, sensors, and other forms of technologies. Moreover, the IoT connects and exchanges data with other devices on the internet. It’s been embraced by many industries, and the shipping industry hasn’t been left behind.
IoT enables auto transporters to use efficient routes, hence making their trips convenient. Apart from convenience and efficiency, IoT improves assisted driving features. This plays a crucial role in keeping drivers and their vehicles safe.
IoT-enabled communication lines provide auto car transporters with information on what to expect on the road. Thanks to that information, truck drivers know when to turn or slow down to avoid crashes. There are also seat belt sensors with the ability to examine the physical state of the driver. If it reads signs of intoxication or fatigue, the vehicle is rendered inoperable.
2. Cloud Technology
For a long time, vehicle transporters relied on external hardware to store all their data. The limitation that came with it is that it was expensive to install. Its maintenance was also time-consuming. This limited the shipper’s ability to deliver shipments on time.
Thanks to cloud technology, there has been a transformation in how shippers store information. Information can now be stored on a remote database such as Dropbox or Google Drive. With an electronic device connected to the internet, information is easily retrieved. This innovation has come with many other benefits, including:
- Reduced operational costs,
- Improved customer service,
- Increased profits, and
- Improved turnaround time.
Cloud technology allows car shippers access to clients’ information from their smartphones. This is unlike before when they lugged around with heavy hardware containing data. This technology leaves no room for loss of data due to computer malfunctions.
It also allows auto transport companies to track their trucks’ movement. This enables them to dispatch information to the drivers whenever it’s necessary.
3. Weight-Friendly Materials
The use of weight-friendly materials in trucks manufacturing is an amazing innovation. It enhances the economical use of fuel and ensures optimal performance and safety in car transport.
Before this, shipping vessels were made of heavy metals that added weight to carriers. This led to increased fuel consumption and slowed down the vessels.
Replacing heavy metals with fiberglass technology now produces strong but lightweight vessels. They can carry out advanced emission control systems. They’re also capable of absorbing more energy, which protects drivers in case of impact. This makes them a better option for use in areas with poor road networks.
4. Autonomous Trucks
Self-driving trucks are expected to dominate the auto transport industry. Just like self-driving cars, autonomous trucks don’t need human drivers. That’s because they both rely on the similar underlying technology.
The technology includes sensors, lidars, and radars which feed data into a computer. They’re enabled to control trucks using the skills obtained through training and simulation.
The advantage here is that these trucks are always on the highway, which makes navigation much easier. Their large size also provides computers with more power and a better view for sensors.
Programmed to move in their lane at a predetermined speed, these trucks have eliminated the threat of accidents. There’s also no chance of accidents caused by human errors such as drunk driving.
Autonomous trucks come with great financial benefits to the industry. They’re able to operate daily, which improves productivity and profits.
5. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
This is another technological trend that has had a massive impact on the industry. ELDs entered their last phase of compliance in 2019. By late 2020, they were already causing disruptions within the industry.
ELDs practical and person-centric approach has brought more humanity to the industry. Thanks to its innovation, there has been a safer and more effective carrier base for clients.
In cooperation with the motor carrier engine, ELDs can record a truck driver’s hours of service (HOS). What does HOS mean? They are regulations by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in the US. The regulations help with the mitigation of the number of road accidents.
After recording the truck driver’s hours of service, the data gets sent to the safety officials. ELDs help in ensuring the well-being of truck drivers is taken care of. This is unlike before, where they were subjected to long working hours.
Final Thoughts
The auto transport industry is here to stay, and technology keeps evolving. Players in the industry must stay updated about the latest technological trends in car shipping.
If you’re hearing about the technologies mentioned in this article for the first time, it’s best to embrace them. The article has covered a lot of what you need to know about the mentioned technologies.
