Commercial trucking and transportation continue to grow as essential services in our modern-day economy. From mobility services to electric vehicles, 2022 saw a massive shift in how we look at logistics. So, what should you look out for in 2023? Dozens of innovations and trends are affecting the transportation market and here are just a few of the most important to keep an eye on for this year.
Electric Trucking
Electric vehicles have come a long way since the creation of small battery-powered cars in the early 2000s. With companies such as Tesla offering powerful electric trucks, the EV industry is poised for a massive breakthrough into the mass market. While the first few generations will lack the range of their traditional diesel engine brethren, EV technology and battery life continue to grow yearly. Additionally, with the advent of new Electric Vehicles taking to the roads, the demand for older and cheaper preowned trucks has lowered. This price drop allows easy entry into the market for startups who cannot immediately jump onto the EV bandwagon.
MAAS (Mobility As A Service)
Equipment and the internet of things have significantly impacted logistics within urban environments. Mobility as a service is a growing market that provides multiple carrier options for goods or people transport. Apps and companies offering MAAS services focus on clients’ starting points and destinations rather than individual modes of transportation that typically require incredibly complex logistics networks. The core of MAAS services is the data available for demand, traffic, and results of previous transportation options. This rapid growth is projected to expand well into the future, vastly increasing the viability of Mobility as a service.
Logistical Changes And Artificial Intelligence
Going hand in hand with MAAS systems, the continued development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has had an impact on almost every market. From banking to farming AI is changing how we look at data, and transportation is no different. How can AI make such a difference?
- Artificial Intelligence and growth in processing power can streamline related services.
- Mass data collection has been incredibly tedious and time-consuming for humans, with AI able to vastly lower interpretation times of large and complex data sets.
- AI allows for lower labor and upfront costs for computer-centric jobs.
- The introduction of AI can remove the need for complex planning and simplify end-user experiences saving time and increasing productivity.
- Artificial Intelligence is responsible for implementing autonomous delivery services in urbanized areas.
Staffing Issues in the Trucking Industry
Truckers are getting older in general, and driver shortages are growing yearly. According to the American Trucking Association, the number of truckers in the US has lowered by nearly 20% since the first wave of the pandemic in 2020. This trend of fewer truckers each year has continued. A loss of generational interest in long-haul trucking, along with a majority of drivers getting closer to retirement age, ensures that the shortage of truckers will continue well into the future.
Last Mile Human-Powered Transport
Improvements in the EV, self-employment applications, and overall efficiency are leading the charge in ensuring that last mile and quick delivery services are less expensive and more efficient than ever. While the pandemic had massive repercussions on all markets, the silver lining has been increased interest in cycling, scootering, and self-propelled transportation. Cultural and technological changes, like the growing popularity of E-Bikes, have seen an impact in improving the reliability of last-mile services. Dense urban areas can now reliably ensure that products and people will reach their destination on schedule simply by relying on human-powered transport.
At Strapping-Products.Com We’re Always Following the Latest Transportation Trends
At Strapping-Products.com, we constantly follow various trends in the transportation industry to ensure we’re able to keep up. Follow our blog closely to learn more about all sorts of industry findings that will undoubtedly shape the future of transportation!
