Imagine for a moment that you have a high value shipment, say, a load of electronics, in transit. You know when the shipment was picked up and when it is supposed to be delivered, but what you don’t know is exactly where your shipment is right now and what condition it is in. Until quite recently, this was the case with every truckload that crisscrossed the U.S. Today, with the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology, shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers can pinpoint the exact location of a given shipment at any time, and even inspect details as to its condition, expected arrival time, and more. Since its adoption in the late 2000s and early 2010s, IoT has revolutionized the trucking industry, and promises further advancements- and some new risks- in the future.
IoT technology connects physical objects, such as trucks, trailers, and cargo to the internet through a variety of devices and sensors. These devices can collect and transmit data in real-time, which can then be analyzed to monitor a shipment’s ETA and conditions, improve operational efficiency, and optimize the supply chain. GPS trackers and telematics devices can track the location of a shipment in real-time, providing enhanced fleet visibility, route planning and enhancing cargo security. These devices can also be used to create geofences, or virtual boundaries, around specific location and routes that automatically notify logistics personnel when a vehicle enters or leaves the geofenced area. This can be particularly useful to alert dock staff of the impending arrival of a shipment, or to warn when a vehicle is straying off course in a manner which may be indicative of attempted cargo theft.
The data collected from GPS and telematic devices can also be used for route optimization, analyzing the impact of traffic conditions, construction, road closures, weather, and other factors to optimize routes. Route optimization minimizes delivery times and reduces fuel consumption, which lowers transportation costs and supports sustainability efforts, and reduces the strain on drivers and equipment.
Telematic devices can quantify the condition of vehicles and vehicle components such as brakes and engine performance in real-time, empowering fleet managers with data that can be leveraged for preventive maintenance. Proactively addressing mechanical issues before they render vehicles and equipment inoperable minimizes repair costs and maximizes fleet uptime.
