Evan Transportation can handle all these challenges in stride during peak trucking season.
As the leaves fall, colors change, and the holiday season approaches, trucking companies must prepare for the busiest time of the year. As demand for freight transportation increases, so does the pressure on the carriers to handle the loads. Even though the peak season for trucking comes with opportunities, it also brings its fair share of challenges. This article explains the top seasonal trucking issues.
Challenges That Trucking Companies Experience in Peak Season
During the peak seasons, it’s critical to understand the challenges to streamline the trucking operations better. The top seasonal trucking issues are:
Fluctuating Fuel Prices
Fuel price volatility is an ongoing headache for trucking companies. If fuel prices go up, it conflicts with operational costs. To combat this challenge, many companies are using SaaS-based trucking management platforms to help them maximize fuel usage and minimize traveling costs.
Truck Driver Shortages
Driver schedules are typically tight during the peak season. Also, finding trained drivers during the holiday season can be a hassle for trucking companies because any delay in the shipment can cost more money. Because of long driving hours, driver burnout becomes prevalent, making them leave their jobs. As a result, driver shortages put more strain on the available truck drivers during peak season.
Constant Equipment Shortage
Due to the seasonal surge, the shortage of essential trucking equipment is one of the top issues. The high seasonal demand pressures the truck fleets, significantly impacting freight transportation timelines and costs. To resolve this, trucking companies focus on using the TMS for routine fleet maintenance during the peak season.
Longer Transit Times
Because the effects of severe weather conditions disrupt transit times, ports are forced to complete increased maintenance yearly. As a result, there are transit times during severe congestion.
Ongoing Congestion Delays
Constant congestion at every port entry forces trucking companies to search for alternatives to international sourcing of goods. Growing customer demand, increased logistics costs, and congestion delays make it challenging for trucking businesses to perform and deliver goods efficiently during the holiday season.
Pressure to Transform Operations
Due to rising customer expectations and technological advancements, the trucking industry has been experiencing intense pressure to transform operations. AI-driven trucking solutions can help automate invoicing and load tracking during the peak season, but small trucking companies may struggle with the sudden change.
Disruptions in the Supply Chain
The global supply chain can also experience its share of the top seasonal trucking issues. For instance, disruptions have consequences because of capacity crunches, labor shortages, seasonal surges, and fluctuating fuel prices. Consequently, it leads to delayed deliveries and higher shipping costs.
Cyber Security Threats
Since trucking companies depend on manually storing load data and other significant information, the risk of cyber threats is always present, regardless of the evolving technological tools. This is why trucking businesses must execute the proper cybersecurity practices to avoid issues.
Real-Time Tracking Demands
During peak season, customers are more anxious to obtain their orders. Trucking businesses can sometimes lose track of the trucks because of multiple factors, such as tight schedules, lack of alerts, and so on.
Regulatory Compliance
Regulations also remain one of the top seasonal trucking issues. These may include working hours, regulations around emissions, and safety standards. Trucking companies should use an automated platform to manage their records and stay compliant by updating their regulatory details on time.
In conclusion, peak season presents challenges for trucking businesses every year. Delays in shipment and a lack of proper communication are also more prevalent.
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