I am constantly fascinated by the new technologies that are introduced each year. The world of trucking is certainly not a stranger to changes in technology. In fact, we are in an age of constant changes and these can be grouped into several broad categories. We have changes designed to improve efficiency, changes designed to monitor truck operation and mechanical performance, changes designed to improve road safety, and changes designed to improve driver comfort.

Modifying the way big trucks split the air and experimenting with new engines and hybrids has created considerable savings in fuel costs. Just five years ago I heard a fleet manager boasting about his company's 6.5 to 7.2 miles per gallon performance. Newer trucks are running 10.7 to 12.2 miles per gallon in "real road condition" tests. These changes have had additional benefits in safety; streamlining makes the trucks more stable at speed. It also reduces the road spray in wet road conditions which increases visibility for drivers behind the truck and for the driver of the truck.

On board electronics continue to bring changes to the trucking world as well. Daimler has the new Freightliner inspiration on the road in Nevada racking up test miles for the lane control and automatic speed adjustments and braking. This nod toward autonomous driving is accomplished using short and long range radar and stereoscopic cameras. It will take perhaps a decade to see this in regular use and even with the improvements human operators will have to take over when lane lines cannot be seen by the cameras, especially during extreme weather. Satellite technologies continue to improve with real time monitoring. This helps fleets improve their on-time performance and avoid traffic snarls as well benefit of loss prevention when a rig is stolen with real-time tracking. 

The inside of trucks have changed tremendously from enhanced visibility, better dash displays, GPS systems with real-time map updates to even hands-free voice communication with the truck... and the list goes go on, but perhaps the most used technology changes employed by drivers across the country are found on their cell phones. Drivers are using their phones to book and bid on loads, monitor the weather, find the best fuel prices, avoid unfavorable traffic conditions. Cell phones have become one-device-does-it-all companions. Technology has been prolonged historically in the trucking industry but in the last few years there have been significant advancements.  

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