2021 is positioned to be a year of unprecedented advancement of technology in the commercial transport industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated more rapid change in nearly every sector and the trucking industry is no exception. The following are some of the trends to watch for in 2021.
Faster connectivity with 5G
5G technology allows 100 times more devices to be connected at one time and because it uses very little power, some devices can be connected and operate for months without any human assistance. In the trucking industry, this means that we will be able to take advantage of faster video speeds, route tracking, driver behavior monitoring and collecting large amounts of data faster and easier than ever before.
More anti-theft GPS Systems
Advancements in GPS and tracking systems means that fleet managers can more easily track items, vehicles – even entire fleets, in real time. This helps to allow for better logistical planning and customer relations not to mention deterring theft.
More electric vehicles
As the climate crisis continues to grow, more companies want to do their part to be a solution. As such, we will see greater quantities of electric vehicles on the road – especially as more charging stations become available.
Self-driving vehicles
We can expect to see more self-driving vehicles on the road this year. In fact Pepsi, Loblaw and Asko have all confirmed that they have ordered such vehicles. These vehicles have features such as radar to help their drivers to navigate, autonomous emergency braking, and self-parking technology.
Blockchain in logistics
Blockchain is a very useful technology for tracking a vehicles history such as past ownership, and repair and maintenance records. Additionally, blockchain can be used to more securely transfer data about other things such as cargo, contracts etc.
Usage based insurance packages
Thanks to more advanced GPS systems that can monitor good driving behaviour, some fleets are able to obtain substantial discounts on their insurance which is one of their largest expenses.
Shorter model cycles
As more EVs hit the road and vehicles become increasingly digitized, model cycles will be reduced from 5-8 years to only 1-2 years. Shorter leases will become more popular so that fleets can keep up with the changing technology.
Predictive maintenance
While predictive maintenance is already popular, we can expect that it will become more so this year. Fleet management software will alert fleet managers to potential problems early and help to both reduce downtime and keep minor issues from become major problems.
Contact Trux Solutions today
Is your company keeping up with all the changes that are happening in the trucking industry? Trux Solutions can help you by providing the fleet management and GPS software you need.
