It’s no secret to anyone that the trucking industry has changed over the last several years. That’s why we often look at trucking data to see where the industry stands, so we can move forward with confidence. It’s essential to always have the latest trucking industry data, so you’re always working off of the most up-to-date information. This article will discuss trucking industry statistics from 2020 and 2021. Remember that 2020 brought many changes due to COVID-19, and the industry has fluctuated as a result. We will keep all of this in mind as we discuss trucking industry data.
Rising Gas Prices
The national average gas price continues to rise. This is an anomaly, as gas prices are usually lower in winter, but as of February 14th, gas prices stand at $3.52. The ten states that have seen the most significant increases are Minnesota, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Alabama, South Carolina, Hawaii, Texas, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Elevated crude oil prices are what continue to push gas prices higher.
Luckily, there are a couple of ways that fleets can reduce their fuel consumption. Route optimization is one way, and improving driver behavior is another. Check out our blog article: “U.S. President says Gas Prices will Remain High in 2022, How Must Fleet Businesses Adjust?”
Continuing Driver Shortage
The driver shortage has been ongoing for over a decade now, and the pandemic has only worsened the issue. Experts estimate that the driver shortage could balloon to nearly 240,000 this year. There are various reasons for the driver shortage, including- the low wages that truck drivers earn. Sometimes, drivers are even asked to work unpaid. Another reason is due to restricted driving hours. Because the industry is highly regulated, drivers can only work certain hours and could be penalized or lose money if they cannot keep driving.
Fleet managers, manager support, and listening to driver concerns can help combat the driver shortage. Driver rewards programs can help fleet drivers feel appreciated and improve driver retention. You can review our blog article, “4 Tips to Combat the Truck Driver Shortage,” for more details on these steps.
Operating Online
There are so many fleet management apps that fleets are taking advantage of for their fleet management these days. 76% of fleets have managed one trip through an app or online. No fleet wants to be left behind while their competitors move on. There are many advantages to using fleet management software that save time and money and make your fleet more productive. If you’re not operating online, you’re likely not running as efficiently as other fleets.
You should consider a fleet management solution if you’re looking to stay organized or streamline your fleet’s procedures. It’s also helpful if you want to obtain data on your fleet in the form of analytics reports. You can read an article that will help you determine if you should look into fleet management software here.
Higher Volume
People are ordering online more than ever. Not only is it more convenient, but people have become accustomed to it since the pandemic. It’s become a part of our lifestyle. In fact, the American Trucking Association’s U.S. Freight Transportation Forecast to 2022 determined that the United States will likely see a 24% increase in freight tonnage this year. That is an immense increase that will inject a lot of work into the trucking industry. Of course, this puts a lot of strain on the supply chain and means more jobs for an already struggling workforce, but it also means potentially more money for fleets.
This is a great time to look into making your fleet more productive so it can take on as many jobs as possible. Fleet tracking software makes this possible. Learn how to increase efficiency in your dispatching process with tips from this blog post.
Let Azuga Boost You Into the Future
You need tools to help you take on the changes and challenges of the new year. That’s where Azuga comes in. We offer a comprehensive fleet management solution that gives you everything you need to overcome these problems. You can try a demo of everything we have to offer online, and check out our blog for more tips on how to handle the hurdles of the future and more information to come!
