There are some half million truck drivers in the US.  It’s their job to move our products from factory to store, from train depots to local warehouse, from our ports to our doors.  About ½ of them are independent drivers- which means they drive their own rigs (tractors and trailers) for whoever needs goods moved from point A to point B.

In the 80s and 90s, we had our own trucking firm.  We were independent (which meant we were different from Consolidated Freight, Conway, Roadway, or even the employees of Walmart and other firms that deliver their own goods on their own trucks).  We were closer to that WalMart model, though- in that we delivered our own products to our own customers.  But, we also picked up raw materials and brought them back to our plants, and on occasion carried goods for other firms.

When we did carry goods, we used freight brokers.  Those guys took a cut of the price we were charging to deliver the goods for another firm (we managed to negotiate that “commission” down to about 10%, but we sometimes paid 30% when we used a broker outside of our normal practices.)

But, now there are “apps” for that- almost. These new entities are underpricing the freight brokers- and are making the marriage between where the truck driver is (and wants to go) and the firm needing its freight hauled a smoother process.

Keychain Logistics is one such entity.  Right now, their app has been downloaded by about 20,000 drivers- which means shippers can be pretty sure they can find a driver (with a rig) pretty easily.  Their software uses geolocation data, trucker schedules, and typical routes to enable the arrangement between driver and goods to be hauled to be perfected.  Their fees for the service are on the low end- between 6% and 10%, which means the truck driver generates more revenue (and profits) for his (and it is overwhelmingly a ‘his’) work.

UShip is another choice.  Although these guys claim to be more aimed at backhauling.  (That means getting a load for drivers AFTER they’ve delivered their prime delivery; they are looking to make money hauling product on their way back home.)

But, that’s only one sort of app. One of the more used ‘toys’ are those mobile electronic logging devices (electronic on-board recorders).  When we were running BTI, our drivers had to track the miles they drove in each state, where they purchased gas (and how much), as well as the time they started and stopped their daily drives. These forms were critical to prove to the Department of Transportation (DOT) that the hours of service rules are met.  Oh, and to pay the road taxes to each state that “lets” the driver use their roads.  Those computations are a pain in the behind- so the automated systems really help drivers and firms.

Back in the 80s and 90s, we bought computer programs that were updated monthly with information about weigh stations, truck stops, rest areas and the like.  So, we could map out the routes for our drivers, making sure they bought gas in each state to match the road taxes, get their rest, wash their trucks, service them- and deliver the goods on time.  Now, there’s a smartphone app from TruckerPath that does the same things.  (They claim their app has been downloaded by 200K drivers).

It’s a brave new world out there for truckers.  Or, is it?   (Check out my blog tomorrow for the clouds on the horizon!)

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