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8 Fleet Management Trends
Jun 17, 2021

Plenty of changes are coming to the trucking industry, and most of them are being ushered in by emerging and advancing technology. Keep your business relevant by staying ahead of these exciting changes! Here are the eight fleet management trends to keep an eye on:

Remote Vehicle Monitoring

Because distracted driving is such a problem, many fleet managers are rolling out remote vehicle monitoring systems like dash cams. Fleet tracking devices monitor driver behavior both in and out of the cab, ensuring that your drivers are distraction-free via accountability.

Post-Hire Monitoring Solutions

Many fleet managers are opting to go past the standard pre-employment background check and DOT screening requirements (link to Your Guide to DOT Background Check Requirements for Drivers) to include driving monitoring or continuous criminal monitoring as part of their fleet management strategies. Both of these screening services give employers immediate insight into any problematic activity (driving offenses and criminal activity, respectively) rather than waiting for a re-screen to capture the offense.

Safety and Sanitization Protocols

The pandemic has pushed safety and sanitization into the minds of every business leader, including fleet managers. An awareness of the importance of health and safety protocols is one of the only benefits that came out of COVID-19. Properly equipping your fleet with sanitization measures and personal protection equipment (PPE) will be standard operating procedure going forward, even after COVID-19 is long gone.

Screen Your Employees

A thorough, recurring background screening program is a great use of time and money. While the DOT mandates certain screening requirements (link to Your Guide to DOT Background Check Requirements for Drivers), effective fleet management sometimes requires going a step beyond these rules. Continuous monitoring programs are particularly useful, as they alert managers to any criminal activity or driving-related incidents the moment they occur, rather than months down the line.

Leveraging Fleet Data Strategically

The influx of data we’ve seen in recent years (and the expansion we will continue to see) will be used more effectively going forward. Fleet managers can leverage this data to make strategic adjustments that improve their drivers’ routes, time usage, and more. Route optimization, predictive maintenance, lane departures, safety mishaps, and more can all work together to manage a safer, more efficient team.

Expansion of 5G

5G is the latest generation of the mobile network, and many industry professionals predict it will be a major tech revolution for the fleet management industry. With improved data transfer speeds, we’ll see more efficient routing, improved communication between drivers, managers, and customers, better sensors to help drivers remain in their lanes, faster vehicle maintenance, and even trucks that are more responsive to their surroundings.

Electric Vehicle Adoption

The movement toward electric vehicles has been a hot topic for several years, and this year we get even closer. Some states have already put restrictions in place that require all new vehicles be emission-free by 2035. The cost of replacing old vehicles with new, electric vehicles is hefty. However, the long-time savings are clear: in January of 2021, fuel prices hovered around $2.40 per gallon. Electricity, on the other hand, is just $0.14 kWh.

Preparing for Autonomous Commercial Vehicles

Electric vehicles are a big topic of conversation, and the approach of autonomous commercial vehicles is, too. While there is still some debate over their impact on the trucking industry (link to Will Truck Driving Be Automated?), now is the time for fleet managers to keep themselves informed about advancements in this technology. Congress has already passed legislation that makes it easier to test this emerging technology more effectively.

More API Integration with Software Platforms

With all of these advancements in technology that will positively impact the fleet management world, we’ll see an increased reliance on APIs, which are “application programming interfaces” that help integrate one piece of software with another. Fleet management software already integrates with a variety of tech platforms, but more extensive APIs will allow all parts of fleet management—from driver communication to fuel usage to hours on the road—to neatly reside within the platform you use every day.


Still wondering what you can do to more effectively manage your fleet of vehicles? Check out 8 Fleet Management Tips for Effective Fleet Management.

Your Guide to the Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program

17 Jun, 2021
It’s impossible to think of the trucking industry without considering Amazon. In 2019, the company delivered 4.5 billion packages in the United States . Their Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program enables anyone with some startup capital the opportunity to get involved in their massively successful business venture. There are pros and cons to becoming an Amazon DSP, but the steady stream of work is certainly eye-catching to start-up trucking companies. Amazon lays out some of the most important information , but let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions.

Your Guide to DOT Background Check Requirements for Drivers

17 Jun, 2021
A thorough, compliant background screening program for your drivers should be the backbone of your hiring strategy. Background checks ensure that your new drivers have all of the qualifications necessary to do the job well and to best represent your company out on the road. Background checks also, of course, weed out any drivers with disqualifying criminal histories, a history of driving violations, and substance abuse problems. That’s why they should be a standard part of your fleet safety program anyway (link to “Fleet Safety Program: 4 Important Things to Remember”). In our regulated industry, a DOT background check is required. Here’s how DOT background check requirements differ from standard employment screening.

Will Truck Driving Be Automated?

17 Jun, 2021
It’s the question on the minds of truck drivers, owners, and delivery companies everywhere: will truck driving be automated? Automated trucks have been a conversation point for years now, with many worrying that technology advances will put millions of people out of work. Despite these concerns, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5% growth for trucking employment in the coming years. While other industries struggle to adapt to new technology, the trucking industry is greatly benefiting from it. There are a range of opinions when it comes to this question, though most truck drivers seem confident that their jobs can’t (or at least won’t) be done by machines any time soon. Before getting into the trucking industry, it’s important that you take a look at the landscape and make an educated decision about it—but remember there will always be a need to move goods from one place to another, and the explosion in online ordering suggests that need is only going to expand. Let’s take a look at the current state of automated trucks as we dive into the question: will truck driving be automated?

What Is Carbon Neutral Shipping & How Do Companies Become Carbon Neutral?

17 Jun, 2021
Trucking and logistics is no longer just about getting materials from point A to point B. Much like consumers want to buy their products from socially responsible corporations or boycott businesses that don’t align with their beliefs, many companies want to work with trucking companies that prove they care about the environment. Whether due to their personal beliefs, to the corporate responsibility goals they’re mandated to meet, or to a desire to please their own customer base, you’re serving clients who will ask about your carbon neutral shipping practices sooner rather than later. Now is the time to start taking this topic seriously. Do you find yourself asking “what is carbon neutral shipping anyway?” Are you wondering why carbon neutral shipping might be a benefit? Curious to know how companies become carbon neutral? Keep reading to discover the answers to all of your questions about this climate-responsible approach to business.

What Do I Need to Start a Trucking Company?

17 Jun, 2021
The trucking industry landscape is largely made up of small businesses—with over 90% of companies operating fewer than seven trucks—so there is room for you if you’re considering starting a small trucking business. Whether you’re a professional truck driver already or you’re just a prospective business owner looking to cash in on the projected growth in the industry, you can get on the road toward a successful business with our help. What do you need to start your own trucking business? Just a little bit of insight from Gold Star’s experts.

The Facts & Figures: How Much Does it Cost to Start a Trucking Company?

17 Jun, 2021
Are you ready to work for yourself? Find yourself wondering how much does it cost to start a trucking company? Some estimates anticipate between $10,000 and $20,000 to get started with a small trucking company, assuming you don’t have to factor in the average cost of a semi truck. What goes into the cost of starting a logistics company? Let’s take a look.
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