March is the month we celebrate Women's History, so here's a timeline of some major accomplishments and impactful inventions brought to you by women. These little known facts have shaped the trucking industry and paved the way for women in the industry today.

In the bustling world of American trucking, where highways stretch endlessly before our eyes, a daily battle unfolds – the search for a safe and convenient parking spot. In this article, we delve into the world of truck drivers, their relentless struggle to find parking, and the crucial measures they take to ensure their own safety and protect their valuable cargo.

Prioritizing Safety

Safety is not just a buzzword but a way of life for truckers.

Discover the crucial responsibilities of a dispatcher and how they support truck drivers in their daily operations. Plus, why shippers should look at how dispatch teams operate across their network.

Organizational silos are a major obstacle that often lurk within the transportation sector, particularly in the trucking industry. But what exactly are these "silos"? 🤔

What are Organizational Silos? 

Organizational silos refer to the isolation that occurs when employees or departments within an organization do not want to, or do not have the means to, share information or knowledge with each other.

Disadvantages of Silos in Trucking 🚫

Hint: It isn't some fancy new tracking tool.

Our most recent customer survey indicated that customers want more tracking visibility, yet few are diving into the details of tracking among their carrier network. About 70% of respondents do not look at the number of tracking updates or pings, and just over 80% don't look at the source of tracking (mobile device, TMS, v. GPS or ELD). Still, tracking compliance is commonly used to score carrier performance.

So, why aren't shippers doing a deep dive into tracking? We have some ideas.

Truck driving is not just about getting from Point A to Point B. It's about safe and efficient transportation, navigating regulations and disruptions, and finding joy in long hours on the road. Thankfully, technology has stepped in to improve the journey.

So, free up some storage space and get your mobile devices ready as we go through 5 Go-to Apps for Truck Drivers and hear from David, an AMX driver for our regional fleet, as to which apps he uses on a daily basis and why.

next week's "brakedown"

Brake Safety Week, which is taking place next week (August 20-26th) is an initiative spearheaded by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). With representatives from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, the CVSA shines a spotlight on the importance of brake systems in our commercial vehicles.  Expect an "unannounced one-day brake safety enforcement initiative, which may be held at any time," according to the CVSA.

Here's what you need to know:

Shifts in the global supply chain are taking place simultaneously as the Panama Canal's operations strain due to drought. What does this mean for shippers in the drayage market? Grains might be down, but East Coast and Gulf Ports of the United States are in a  favorable position to minimize the impact thanks to some seemingly unrelated shifts in the global supply chain. So, what does grain, electric vehicles, and China's national security have to do with it? Read on to find out. 

So, what's the big deal with the Panama Canal?

Did you know that a staggering 40% of all containers originating from the United States travel through the iconic Panama Canal? This engineering marvel connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This is a critical point for U.S. imports and exports, so shippers need to pay attention as the drought will likely affect operations through the end of 2023.

U.s. transit & panama canal facts to know

• The U.S. accounts for just over 73% of traffic for the Panama Canal.

The difference between east coast and west coast ports

Recent disruptions across Total Terminals International (TTI) ports on the West Coast shut down 6 major ports: Seattle, Tacoma, Oakland, Hueneme, Long Beach, and Los Angeles. Detrimental reactions to labor contract negotiations breed unpredictability and concerns for the west coast ports. Still, there is some relief as a tentative agreement was reached this past Wednesday.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that recognizes the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the ILWU workforce in keeping our ports operating,” said PMA President James McKenna and ILWU President Willie Adams in a joint statement. “We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast Ports.” 

-- Statement from the Pacific Maritime Association
June 14th, 2023

Don't wait for the next shutdown to familiarize yourself with the distinctions between U.S. seaports, their key players, and the improvements being made...or at least attempted.