Transport haulage is suffering significant difficulties, as evidenced by crowded ports and bare grocery shelves. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome them. Here are some common issues in transport trucking and their solutions:
Driver Retention
The soaring costs of insurance premiums are a major concern, especially for smaller fleets. Increasing rates can also lead to higher operating expenses and lower productivity. Finding and retaining skilled drivers is another common challenge that trucking companies face. The nature of the job can be hard on drivers. Hours, days, and weeks away from home and family can affect mental health and personal relationships. Investing in driver wellness programs and providing tech that lets them stay connected with their loved ones can help mitigate these issues. Your driver retention program should begin by creating a culture of safety that motivates drivers on their regular routes. Tell them how important their deeds are. Make it obvious that safety is your first concern, and spend your money on coaching and compliance rather than paying fines to the government. An ELD device assists fleets in scheduling and routing optimization by instructing drivers to take the best route and avoid traffic when loading and unloading cargo. Technology for trucks can help simplify record keeping, freeing up time for drivers on the road.
Keeping drivers happy also requires that trucking companies provide competitive wages and a good work-life balance. It includes ensuring that home time policies are consistent and equitable and that drivers receive timely updates about equipment maintenance or other problems on the road. In addition, encouraging open communication channels, including peer mentoring for new drivers and a driver council, can help make employees feel like their voices are heard and that their input matters.
Driver Commutes
Even though many cities have robust public transportation networks, data show that door-to-door commutes on buses and trains often take longer than driving alone. And if drivers don’t carpool with co-workers, long commutes can make them less likely to choose to take transit after work and instead go straight home. These long commutes aren’t just bad for truck drivers and can lead to health problems like obesity, sleep apnea and chronic back pain. In addition, they can increase fatigue and stress, exacerbating driver safety issues such as rushed driving and human factors safety mistakes. Fortunately, trucking companies can help solve driver commuting issues by providing drivers access to monthly parking spots near shipper and receiver facilities. By offering easy routing and two-way messaging tools, they can help drivers stay connected anywhere on the road. Investing in this technology is a surefire way to reduce driver commuting time and improve worker safety.
Parts Shortages
Trucking companies can’t keep their fleets running if they can’t get the parts they need. A parts shortage delays the supply chain, frustrating buyers and forcing companies to look at other options for acquiring unattainable materials. Maintenance teams must work with tighter budgets in the wake of these shortages, but that doesn’t mean they should skip preventative maintenance. Instead, enlist the help of trusted service providers to ensure trucks stay in good working condition. In the meantime, sourcing hard-to-get parts is a game of hide-and-seek, and some vendors are playing coy about their stock levels. Shuttering factories have led to shortages of commodities from microchips to rubber, and a range of other components are also affected. Fleet maintenance managers are coming up with inventive solutions to overcome these difficulties.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers are always on the move and need to drive vehicles in top condition. Inadequate maintenance can lead to serious problems that can disrupt shipments. In addition to causing disruptions, poor maintenance can also cost companies money. A common problem in transport trucking is faulty wheel bearings. These components allow the wheels to rotate, and when worn out, they can cause a loud and powerful sound while driving.
Additionally, a truck may shake uncontrollably at certain speeds. These signs are an indication that the wheel bearings need to be replaced. Another major issue trucking companies need is more available repair services and parts. It can impact the number of trucks available to companies and lead to delays in delivering goods to customers. As a result, companies need to develop a management strategy that can adapt when there is a supply chain disruption. It will help them ensure that all deliveries are made on time.