Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, March 24, 2022:
Owners can now post their truck with a rate, details on DAT's boards, and the company integrates FourKites for load tracking
DAT Freight & Analytics' Robert Rouse unveiled a brand-new feature for carrier users of it load boards or the DAT One app: the ability to tell brokers via a post of your truck to the board just what you "expect to make per-mile" in terms of gross revenue.
"A lot of owner-operators don't post their truck" because they subsequently get hammered with calls from brokers looking for low-ball $1/mile rates, Rouse said. "They want to talk to brokers who will meet them where they’re at."
Now, as can brokers who post loads with suggested rates attached, "owners can post their rate on their truck and the brokers will see that when they’re searching for the truck" -- among other details, from desired destination to more.
"I have been asking for carriers to be able to post their rate for years," said owner-operator Chad Boblett, creator of the Rate Per Mile Masters group. Boblett noted he's been using the tool in efforts to better take control of initial negotiation, not to mention cutting down on wasted time "time talking to brokers about a rate I’m not interested in."
The tactic could be something of a double-edged sword, however, depending on what load details the broker him- or herself has posted. Boblett suggested aiming high in hopes to meeting an honest broker in the middle.
DAT also announced Thursday that the next step in their strategic partnership to bring real-time, end-to-end supply chain visibility to the DAT network is in sight. The company's Integrating FourKites visibility into the DAT One Freight Management System, enabling carriers on FourKites’ platform to make themselves instantly identifiable to 3PLs and brokers on the DAT network, creating the largest pool of “trackable” capacity on the spot market, the companies said. They add that the integration will eliminate countless hours of manual tracking and data collection calls that continue to plague the industry.
“We have seen the demand for real-time visibility and order status updates to consumers — from all those operating within the truckload freight industry — grow at an unprecedented rate,” said Claude Pumilia, DAT President and CEO. “Legacy visibility tools require extensive manual processes for carrier connectivity and do not provide the level of transparency into shipment status that today’s consumers both need and demand. By working together with carriers who are already part of FourKites, the world’s largest visibility platform, we are breaking down barriers to data-sharing and collaboration.”
Together, DAT and FourKites are providing an innovative solution to simplify delivery of automated tracking and carrier connectivity for brokers and shippers through the DAT One Freight Management System. Brokers and shippers will be able to request, initiate and monitor load tracking from carriers directly in DAT One. To streamline visibility workflows, carriers can connect their electronic logging or GPS device to the FourKites platform to provide their customers with highly secure shipment tracking, leveraging FourKites’ Dynamic ETA technology, which provides the market’s most accurate estimated times of arrival. The end result is stronger communication, improved appointment adherence and reduced truck dwell time.
ATRI calls for carrier input on young employee utilization, apprenticeships
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has launched a new survey to quantify the industry’s experience in recruiting, training and retaining young adult employees. This survey is part of a larger study identified by ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee as a top research priority in 2021 to examine how the industry can best integrate younger adults into trucking careers.
“As trucking fleets continue to address workforce challenges, understanding how to tap the potential of this nation’s younger employees is critical,” said ATRI President Rebecca Brewster.
Trucking fleets are asked to provide input through an online survey by April 22, documenting Millennial and Gen Z involvement in the trucking industry, carrier perceptions of the DRIVE-Safe Act pilot program and recent developments in driver apprenticeship programs. This timely research will provide valuable guidance for cultivating an environment in which young adults can thrive in trucking careers. All submitted data will be kept strictly confidential.
Truckstop.com set to launch new mobile app
Truckstop.com announced Thursday its next-generation mobile app, Truckstop Go, which will be available next month.
With the app, carriers can find loads in real time, book loads instantly, locate competitive rates and get paid quickly, all through a fast, comprehensive and easy to navigate mobile app that puts productivity in the palm of carriers’ hands.
New Truckstop Go features will include:
- Live Loads – get notified in real time when a new load matching search criteria is posted.
- Book it Now – book loads instantly from trusted brokers with competitive rates.
- Factoring – eliminate paperwork and get paid quickly all through the mobile app.
“Mobile apps give carriers the freedom and flexibility they need to conduct business on their own terms, whether they are on the road or at home,” said Brett Webb, chief product officer, Truckstop.com. “We have listened to our customers and created an intuitive and comprehensive app full of the features and functionality they want to organize their businesses and become more competitive.”
Mack expands its roadside assistance service
Mack Trucks expanded its Mack OneCall 24/7 roadside assistance service and support offered through the Mack Uptime Center with a new digital tracking feature that enables increased and real-time communication between drivers or fleet managers and roadside assistance providers. This removes the guesswork about arrival times and allows customers to make more informed decisions.
The expanded OneCall service features faster dispatching, which reduces wait time by offering an improved estimate time of arrival for roadside assistance providers through a digital platform.
It also improves visibility and live tracking by allowing customers to see exactly when roadside assistance will arrive via an interactive map, similar to ridesharing applications. The expanded service also reduces additional phone calls as it enables customers to communicate and receive status updates directly via text messages.
