What is IoT?
IoT stands for Internet of Things. It’s one of the modernized technologies the trucking companies are using to bring innovation, automation, and efficiency to their business. By definition, IoT is a network of interconnected computing devices that can communicate with each other, collect data, and send it to cloud-based software over a local network or the internet. From a trucking and logistics perspective, IoT is a highly advanced digital solution that connects in-vehicle computing devices, like sensors, microchips, microcontrollers, or other digital devices, over the network.
For the sake of understanding the working of IoT, let’s take the example of a smart home where all digital appliances, like lights, alarms, cameras, and electronics, are interconnected and can send data to an application installed in your smartphone. In that case, all devices are establishing an IoT system. You can control the functions of these devices through your smartphone, and that’s all possible due to IoT technology.
Like the above example, trucking companies are leveraging IoT systems to boost their productivity, efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profit. In a typical trucking IoT system, sensors and digital devices are installed in trucks and containers. These devices continuously collect and process data and transfer it to the cloud-based software managed by the fleet managers.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the IoT is revolutionizing the trucking industry through its several advantages, such as smart fleet management, effective streamlining of the supply chain, and automation of transportation processes. Here, we will discuss some significant IoT applications in the transportation industry.
Application of IoT (Internet of Things) in the Trucking Industry
· Effective, smart, and efficient fleet management
Fleet management is one of the most significant transportation processes. It consists of different management tasks, such as transportation schedule maintenance, route optimization, and monitoring of vehicle usage. Trucking companies are using IoT-based scanners and computing devices in their trucks that help them gain real-time visibility of the transit process and driver performance. For example, by installing speed sensors in the trucks, fleet managers can monitor the driving speed and optimize the freight delivery as per deadlines. Some detectors also collect real-time data about the traffic around them. This data helps fleet managers in making their route optimization more effective.
· Real-time visibility of shipments
The IoT technology empowers trucking companies to develop a Real-Time tracking system through which they can know the real-time location of shipment during transit at any moment. For this purpose, sensors are installed in trucks to collect real-time location data. The cloud-based software processes this data and gives information about the location of the shipment. Trucking companies can use the tracking system to keep customers updated about the shipment lifecycle from the origin to the destination of the delivery.
· Smart inventory management
Your fleet is not the only thing you can monitor and manage through IoT technology. There’s a wide range of digital devices and apps that help you monitor and manage your inventory more effectively and smartly.
· Enhance the safety and security of your fleet
The IoT technology helps you create an Anti-theft system to enhance the safety and security of your trucks. You can install interconnected sensors and cameras in your trucks that monitor various situations and alert you if there are any safety or security issues.
· Maintenance Forecasting
By leveraging the IoT systems, you can keep your fleet well-maintained. You can install various sensors and digital devices that consistently monitor different parameters of trucks, such as fuel level, engine noise, mechanical vibration, and tire quality. These devices will alert you in advance when your truck(s) needs mechanical maintenance. In this way, IoT helps you save lots of money and time in terms of fleet maintenance.
· Easy DOT (Department of Transportation) Compliance
Traditionally, drivers use logbooks to record their working hours and vehicle activity. It could be a tiresome task that might affect the performance of drivers. IoT provides a fantastic solution to this problem in the form of digital logging devices that automatically logs the driver’s working hours and activities. It helps fleet managers to keep a more accurate record and ensure easy compliance with the DOT rules and regulations.
Final Words
IoT (Internet of Things) is revolutionizing the trucking industry in many ways, such as automation of transportation processes, real-time shipment visibility, safety & security of fleet, and inventory management. It’s expected to be the game changer for the transportation industry in the upcoming years.
This article was distributed by Datla Logistics. Datla logistics is a freight dispatching company providing dispatching services to owner operators and fleet carrier who have a dry van, reefer unit, box truck or power only.