The Shortage Of Truckers And Possible Solutions
The role of Pickup Truck Rental Services Dubai is an essential part of the supply chain for goods worldwide. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have become more aware of the indispensable role they play in the circulation of fundamental goods. Truck drivers are also known as OTR (over-the-road) drivers or long-haul truckers, and they actually transport over 70% of all domestic freight shipments.
This dangerous job requires a lot of responsibility and patience. The living conditions of a trucker can vary from country to country as well as from one freight company to another. Highway truck drivers transport goods over long distances and have the strictest requirements as they must comply with regulations regarding limited hours of service. Local truckers are also bound by certain service regulations, and they may have even stricter corporate rules.
How Was The Driver Shortage Problem Created?
In the United States (US), there are 3.5 million truck drivers, 15.5 million trucks (over 15 tons, class 8) and 433 billion kilometers traveled per year. If the current situation continues, by 2023 there will be a shortage of 240,000 drivers. The shortage has become acute due to several factors:
*High average driver age of 55 (EU figures are similar)
*Workforce composition: only 5.8% are women, compared to 47% of the entire US workforce
* Employment alternatives that provide a safer lifestyle and the ability to get home each night (new drivers are often assigned long-haul routes and are away from home for extended periods of time)
*New regulations that require more qualified drivers, so employers are becoming more selective.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) of the United Kingdom (UK) reports that the UK is facing a shortage of 100,000 drivers due to the departure of workers from the sector, Brexit and COVID-19, all of whom interrupted training and driving tests for about a year. To solve this problem, the British government is considering hiring foreign employees on short-term visas. However, the question remains whether they will be able to attract people for short periods of employment.
How Many Hours Can Truck Drivers Work?
Under EU law, any driver driving a vehicle of 12 tonnes or more is subject to laws that limit driving to 9 hours a day, 56 a week and 90 in a two-week period. The twice-weekly driving time can be increased to 10 hours, while the daily rest time is at least 11 hours. The daily rest can be divided into 3 hours followed by 9 hours for a total of 12 hours of daily rest. Breaks of at least 45 minutes (can be divided into 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes) must be taken after a maximum of 4.5 hours of work. The average annual salary of an experienced driver is €42,495.
Truck Driver Safety
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 843 truck drivers were killed in 2019, and the number is growing every year, making it the deadliest occupation. Drivers are often forced to park in undesignated areas in hazardous locations for a number of reasons such as mandatory personal breaks, cargo/vehicle inspections, full truck stops and rest areas. 5.3% of all truck fatalities are caused by unsafe stops/parking.
Complications For Truckers Due To The Pandemic
With the increase in deliveries during the pandemic, the demand for drivers has also increased. However, at the same time, many countries have closed access to highways, making it very difficult for truck drivers. For example, toilets were closed at loading and unloading points; and there are long queues for showers at gas stations that are not properly cleaned, leading to health risks.
How Can Technologies Provide Better Conditions?
For us at Trucknet, it's all about technology. We believe in a one-stop-shop platform, where not only major carriers and shipping companies can find benefits, but also drivers. Below are some of the features we take into consideration:
Optimization Of Work Management And Reduction Of Empty Kilometers
Some of the less obvious solutions to driver shortages could possibly be found through optimizing fleet management and reducing empty miles (dead miles) driven (see our latest blog post). Loading trucks to maximum capacity reduces the problem of unnecessary empty miles and also means fewer trucks on the road; therefore, fewer conductors will be required. Shared truck loads are more efficient than half-empty trucks, saving costs as well as human resources.
Autonomous vehicles are expected to help reduce driver shortages while improving road safety and fuel efficiency. By solving the problem of human resources, we anticipate: reducing costs and reducing environmental problems.
Optimize Reservations And Increase Parking Capacity
In Europe and the United States, there is a serious problem of finding parking areas for trucks. As mentioned, European regulations oblige drivers to stop for 45 minutes after 4.5 hours of work. This means that the driver will have to start looking for a place to park in advance. 83% of European drivers say there are not enough secure parking areas.
Optimizing fleet management requires integration with a truck parking reservation system. By the time a delivery route is created, the driver already has a designated place to take a break based on their working hours and if they need an overnight stay, that site too will be booked. In this way, we create safer working conditions for truckers. The parking reservation component must be integrated into an intelligent platform, such as Trucknet. This feature is under development and should be ready for use in the near future.
Reduce Detention Time
When shipments are not ready to be loaded, truck drivers are detained and forced to wait for freight. This increases driver frustration and at the same time adds costs for lost time. Smart technology would schedule pick-up/unload times and reduce holding time in warehouses.
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