With impressive strides in innovation and technology, the landscape of freight transportation and shipping has changed dramatically in a relatively short period of time. As technology continues to advance, the future of freight seems like something out of a sci-fi novel. The future of freight transportation looks more automated, efficient and digitized than ever before. Click To Tweet What can you look forward to in the coming years?

Future of Freight Transportation

Forced to meet the impatient demands of consumers, freight carriers must adapt and innovate to stay relevant. Here are a few ways freight transportation is changing:

Automation

Manufacturing is increasingly automated, with systems used to sort the products and load them on trucks. Sensors on products, pallets, SKUs, drivers, facilities, and vehicles provide constant feedback and progress updates. Conveyor systems move the right product to the right piece of trucking equipment at the right time. Loading software advises load placement to maximize space and avoid load imbalances.

Meeting Consumer Demands

In years past customers that needed something overnight were willing to pay extra shipping to make that happen. No more. Consumer demands have gotten more impatient and less willing to spend for speed. As a result, carriers must operate at an increasingly high level of efficiency with logistics management streamlining everything.   

Digitalization

The initial wave of shipping digitalization was meant to enhance inventory management. The next wave will likely focus of fleet management, separating the mediocre shippers from the innovators, and the sloppy drivers from the highly efficient.

Use of The Cloud

Processes no longer rely on paper, but reside in the cloud in the form of digital data. Carriers continue to build their capabilities as digitalization and automation increase. These companies will use predictive analytics to further improve accuracy meet the consumer demand.

An Efficient Future

At the heart of freight transportation is efficiency. Customers demand it, carriers can’t stay competitive without it and entire industries rely on it. The future may one day consist of autonomous trucks and drones, but for now it still requires hardworking individuals streamlining the shipping industry.

Contact Us to learn more about freight transportation and how to increase your truckload efficiency.