Truck Record: Fundamental Facts About The Local Trucking Business

The trucking industry leads all means of domestic freight in the U.S. Its flexibility, relative cost-effectiveness, and logistical viability make it a staple to various industries that require transport of commodities. Here are some key trucking facts about the industry:

Image source: fortune.com

The industry can keep up with U.S. economy expansion

In 2014, the top five issues facing the trucking industry were driver shortage, fuel cost increase, increased trucking demands, world trade expansion, and pricing power fluctuations. For the past several months, these issues have been gradually resolved or are currently undergoing significant improvements.

Female drivers on the rise 

The American Trucking Association reveals that there are approximately 3.5 million professional truck drivers in the United States. While this sounds big, it is not enough to cover all the transport needs of the country. Trucking companies have started tapping and accepting female drivers to cover up for the paucity. Approximately 6 percent of the current job pool is comprised of women.

The role of advanced technology

Image source: reutersmedia.net

As with other businesses, trucking companies have found the necessity to invest in modern technologies that include computers and the Internet. Other tools currently on increasing demand include GPS navigation, satellite radio, digital satellites televisions, and autonomous truck technologies. The latter allow drivers to use highway pilot mode and perform non-driving activities at the same time, giving them easier control for safety-critical functions in times of unavoidable traffic or environmental conditions.

Fred B. Barbara is an adept investor and entrepreneur, having grown his first trucking business into a fleet 150 vehicles strong. For more about his ventures, follow this Twitter account.