The role of Pickup TruckRental Services Dubai is an essential part of the supply chain forgoods worldwide. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have become
more aware of the indispensable role they play in the circulation of
fundamental goods. Truck drivers are also known as OTR (over-the-road)
drivers or long-haul truckers, and they actually transport over 70% of all
domestic freight shipments.
This dangerous job requires a lot of responsibility andpatience. The living conditions of a trucker can vary from country to
country as well as from one freight company to another. Highway truck
drivers transport goods over long distances and have the strictest requirements
as they must comply with regulations regarding limited hours of
service. Local truckers are also bound by certain service regulations, and
they may have even stricter corporate rules.
How Was The Driver ShortageProblem Created?
In the United States (US), there are 3.5 million truckdrivers, 15.5 million trucks (over 15 tons, class 8) and 433 billion kilometers
traveled per year. If the current situation continues, by 2023 there will
be a shortage of 240,000 drivers. The shortage has become acute due to
several factors:
*High average driver age of 55 (EU figures are similar)
*Workforce composition: only 5.8% are women, compared to 47%of the entire US workforce
* Employment alternatives that provide a safer lifestyle andthe ability to get home each night (new drivers are often assigned long-haul
routes and are away from home for extended periods of time)
*New regulations that require more qualified drivers, soemployers are becoming more selective.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) of the United Kingdom(UK) reports that the UK is facing a shortage of 100,000 drivers due to the
departure of workers from the sector, Brexit and COVID-19, all of whom
interrupted training and driving tests for about a year. To solve this
problem, the British government is considering hiring foreign employees on
short-term visas. However, the question remains whether they will be able
to attract people for short periods of employment.
How Many Hours Can TruckDrivers Work?
Under EU law, any driver driving a vehicle of 12 tonnes or moreis subject to laws that limit driving to 9 hours a day, 56 a week and 90 in a
two-week period. The twice-weekly driving time can be increased to 10
hours, while the daily rest time is at least 11 hours. The daily rest can
be divided into 3 hours followed by 9 hours for a total of 12 hours of daily
rest. Breaks of at least 45 minutes (can be divided into 15 minutes
followed by 30 minutes) must be taken after a maximum of 4.5 hours of
work. The average annual salary of an experienced driver is €42,495.
TruckDriver Safety
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that843 truck drivers were killed in 2019, and the number is growing every year,
making it the deadliest occupation. Drivers are often forced to park in
undesignated areas in hazardous locations for a number of reasons such as
mandatory personal breaks, cargo/vehicle inspections, full truck stops and rest
areas. 5.3% of all truck fatalities are caused by unsafe
stops/parking.
ComplicationsFor Truckers Due To The Pandemic
With the increase in deliveries during the pandemic, thedemand for drivers has also increased. However, at the same time, many
countries have closed access to highways, making it very difficult for truck
drivers. For example, toilets were closed at loading and unloading
points; and there are long queues for showers at gas stations that are not
properly cleaned, leading to health risks.
How CanTechnologies Provide Better Conditions?
For us at Trucknet, it's all about technology. Webelieve in a one-stop-shop platform, where not only major carriers and shipping
companies can find benefits, but also drivers. Below are some of the
features we take into consideration:
OptimizationOf Work Management And Reduction Of Empty Kilometers
Some of the less obvious solutions to driver shortages couldpossibly be found through optimizing fleet management and reducing empty miles
(dead miles) driven (see our latest blog post). Loading trucks to maximum
capacity reduces the problem of unnecessary empty miles and also means fewer
trucks on the road; therefore, fewer conductors will be
required. Shared truck loads are more efficient than half-empty trucks,
saving costs as well as human resources.
Autonomous vehicles are expected to help reduce drivershortages while improving road safety and fuel efficiency. By solving the
problem of human resources, we anticipate: reducing costs and reducing
environmental problems.
OptimizeReservations And Increase Parking Capacity
In Europe and the United States, there is a serious problemof finding parking areas for trucks. As mentioned, European regulations
oblige drivers to stop for 45 minutes after 4.5 hours of work. This means
that the driver will have to start looking for a place to park in
advance. 83% of European drivers say there are not enough secure parking
areas.
Optimizing fleet management requires integration with atruck parking reservation system. By the time a delivery route is created,
the driver already has a designated place to take a break based on their
working hours and if they need an overnight stay, that site too will be
booked. In this way, we create safer working conditions for
truckers. The parking reservation component must be integrated into an
intelligent platform, such as Trucknet. This feature is under development
and should be ready for use in the near future.
Reduce DetentionTime
When shipments are not ready to be loaded, truck drivers aredetained and forced to wait for freight. This increases driver frustration
and at the same time adds costs for lost time. Smart technology would schedule
pick-up/unload times and reduce holding time in warehouses.
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