Exciting applications of IoT route optimization for truckers

The Internet of Things (IoT) is beginning to drive massive positive change in the logistics industry and for individual truck drivers. Many applications for IoT in logistics can check where certain deliveries are at any point in the supply chain and if there are any problems.

Next, the IoT improves trucking by showing drivers optimized routes to get deliveries to their destinations on time. Such details can keep them from being frustrated by traffic backups, accidents or other mishaps.

IoT can also provide more visibility into what is happening on the road. This is vital, especially since a single truck accident could cost $74,000, according to an industry source. Here's a look at why the Internet of Things is a game-changer for trucking professionals and route optimization.

Get more insights into driver behaviors and feelings

Having a career based on driving can be stressful. Even if someone carefully follows all the rules of the road, they still have to deal with everyone else who might be distracted, upset, or completely unaware of the best practices for safe driving. Of course, even the safest drivers aren't perfect, so they can find distractions too.

The IoT is improving trucking by showing people more details about how drivers feel. A French car tech company even launched a product that tracked drivers' heart rates, giving clues when they might be stressed and need a break.

Dispatchers could use this information in route planning. If a driver registers a long period of high heart rate, the person in charge of the route may suggest stopping at a gas station or ending their shift early.

The use of IoT in logistics also highlights driver behaviors that could impact the route. Using IoT sensors, the person overseeing the routing may notice that a driver takes longer at each stop than most of their peers or has a higher percentage of idle time. These are two things that training and coaching could improve. Additionally, such behaviors may mean that the driver displaying them may not be programmed to handle the most urgent deliveries.

People in many roles, inside and outside the trucking industry, often bottle up their feelings and don't mention if they're under too much pressure until the situation feels almost unbearable. However, IoT sensors could reduce these issues by making people more aware of what's going on. This could mean that drivers are getting sensor data confirming that they are overly stressed, or that dispatchers may be noticing particular red flags.

Shorten the time it takes to get emergency service

To ensure the proper functioning of an industrial fleet, it is necessary to know the right times to carry out certain maintenance activities. Cleaning a truck's diesel particulate filter is a good example - this should ideally happen every 50,000 miles (tompsontrucksource dot com) or once a year. Otherwise, the vehicle risks engine failure and costly downtime.

However, even the best-maintained trucks can break down without warning. IoT sensors tend to reduce this likelihood by notifying people of problems earlier.

The researchers also came up with another option, examining how the IoT could make roadside assistance services more efficient. This technology could give crews information about stranded vehicles before they arrive on scene and provide route details to reduce delays associated with receiving assistance.

The results indicate that such a service would increase customer loyalty and the satisfaction of those who use it. Makes sense, especially considering how upsetting it can be to deal with vehicle breakdowns.

These same issues can complicate the lives of professional truck drivers who must meet tight deadlines. Likewise, the use of IoT in logistics like this could prevent vehicle breakdowns contributing to the spoilage of perishables or the late arrival of essential items.

A vehicle's in-vehicle IoT sensors can also guide a driver to the nearest service center when they detect a problem that needs urgent attention. In such cases, IoT technology usually works with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. It is then possible to predict that a component will soon fail, giving people time to fix the problem.

Because truckers often cross state and country borders on their trips, they likely won't know the nearest places to go for vehicle maintenance. Connected sensors could show them the closest options and send information...