mobile apps in the transportation industry

Inefficiencies in Reporting Hours of ServiceBusiness ProblemTraditionally, truckers have been using paper based logs to record the time they have spent on duty. Once the hours of service (HOS) have been recorded on paper, they are supposed to then either mail or fax them to dispatchers.

As the competition in the industry increased, it put significant pressure on deriving higher value from operations. Additionally, DOT revised its rules for reporting HOS, making them more complex. With this came the automated HOS logs.

Currently, as per DOT regulations, truckers are obligated to use automated HOS logs. They also have to paste a sticker on the truck body that shows a particular truck complies with the same. However, even then the truck drivers find a way around this and end up not using these systems completely.

How mobile apps could be used to solve this problem:Many truck drivers are hesitant to use an electronic HOS logging system. They assume that the system would be more complicated than the paper logs they are used to. To ensure 100 percent compliance of automated HOS logs, there needs to be a simplified application that assists in electronic logging.

An application with a simplified interface can ease the entire process of logging. It can also:

• Catch the violations in the HOS logs

• Provide constant access to drivers’ logs, especially when they driving on the road

• Proactively alert the driver, if they are in danger of HOS violations

• Better tracking and logging helps in improving CSA score

• Dispatchers can easily track their entire fleet and also monitor the overall load status

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Transportation Industry

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Vehicle to Vehicle CommunicationBusiness ProblemEach and every vehicle on road has two biggest concerns – fuel efficiency and safety. Especially in the trucking industry, these aspects play a critical role. Every year the trucking industry loses significant portion of their revenues due to fuel inefficiencies and road accidents.

How mobile apps could be used to solve this problem:A mobile application can be developed that facilitates vehicle to vehicle communication. The hardware device includes radar sensors, smart braking, and mechanism for wireless transmission. This technology aids in taking advantage of fuel-saving aerodynamics by helping two trucks to be able to get as close as 20 feet from each other while platooning during the drive.

Such advanced technology provides micro level control of the truck to the extent that truck’s acceleration and braking can be controlled remotely. It can also detect potential dangers ahead on the road and warn the driver accordingly.

Driver ShortagesBusiness ProblemWith the growing US population, the future of freight industry is bright. As the demand for freight increases, it drives the demand for professional drivers, thereby worsening the existing driver shortage. According to ATA, the industry needs to employ approximately 96,000 new drivers annually to keep up with the current demand. If the freight demand grows as per the projections, the driver shortage could rise to approximately 240,000 drivers by 2022.

The extent of driver shortage has had a negative impact on the business growth. Some carriers have had to downsize their fleets in order to match the availability of the driver.

How mobile apps could be used to solve this problem:A mobile application can be developed that helps in better tracking and more effective utilization of drivers. The application may facilitate cross-fleet coordination, thereby ensuring proper usage of the available hours of a driver.

The application may track various demographics of the driver such as: preferred route, preferred time of operations etc. Based on such factors, the application will suggest the best possible route and time. This will help in effectively using the available driver hours and also maximize the process efficiency. It can also assist in reducing driver fatigue.


The ‘deadhead’ ProblemBusiness ProblemTrucking industry employs more than 3.75 million truck drivers in North America of which one in nine (> 400,000) are owner operators.

When an independent trucker drops off a load, he or she heads back to home base. Without a return load, however, they are stuck with the gas and maintenance bills for that trip. This has been a major problem that has not had a solution until now. The truckers, with the help of new mobile app start-ups, are now changing the way the game is played.

How mobile apps could be used to solve this problem:Mobile technology is starting to play a big role in solving truckers’ ‘deadhead’ problem.

Long gone are the paper and pin methods of finding loads at local truck stops. Now, there are new apps that serve as an online, automated exchange for drivers and shippers to match their respective needs. The application service provider does take a certain percentage of profit out of the benefit made using the app. However, it still is a great benefit to the truckers who would not have had any load to take back otherwise.

Supply Chain OptimizationBusiness ProblemThe business conditions in the transportation industry are far more intense than ever before. The global supply chain has to keep pace with an ever-expanding volume of goods and growing customer demands for more frequent, more reliable delivery. This can be especially challenging when your people and assets are always on the move.

How mobile apps could be used to solve this problem:Asset tracking solutions/ Fleet Management solutions can solve this business problem. These solutions provide enhanced visibility into the operations. This in turn helps the business achieve higher efficiency and also identify new ways to reduce costs. These solutions also help in:

• Keeping the deliveries on schedule.

• From the customer’s side, it provides them with real-time status tracking.

• Billing can be done using a smartphone, quick and easy.

• Control repair costs with vehicle maintenance routines.

• Reduce environmental impact.

• Cut fuel costs by optimizing routes and reducing idle times.


Workforce Assisstance ApplicationsBusiness ProblemIn this era of globalization and fierce competition, businesses continuously strive to provide highest value to their customers, thereby enhancing customer loyalty.

Additionally, companies constantly work to eliminate inefficiencies and upgrade their technological infrastructure in a way that they make the most of technological advancements.

This in turn helps bring a positive effect on customer, vendor, and employee vendor relationships.

How mobile apps could be used to solve this problem:The mobile workforce applications help employees complete tasks more quickly, with added levels of responsiveness and service. These applications use location-based technologies on the mobile devices of employees. Using these, transportation organizations can locate and manage field workers and assign new tasks remotely. Additionally, many paper-based processes, such as providing proof-of-delivery/completion documentation, invoicing, work orders, and more, can be completed electronically. This in turn speeds up processing and fulfillment times.

In the trucking industry, such apps allow drivers to clock in and out remotely, receive dispatches from headquarters, track fuel expenses, and plan best/shortest routes.
