Driving Trucking to do More with Less

By Donal O’Mahony, Head of UX and Product Design at Verizon Connect.

Autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, machine learning and other buzzwords have raised alarm bells in the trucking industry as businesses wonder whether their livelihoods are at risk. But the digital transformation in the sector is already allowing many operators to do more with less. Early adoption of these innovative technologies is crucial to maintain a competitive edge.

Adoption of AI technologies in the sector is already driving big changes. Most of the available digital technologies are more subtle than self-driving vehicles, but nevertheless, they have had a significant positive impact on the sector – helping to improve service and driving efficiencies.

The first telematic monitoring systems provided limited insights into critical events that occurred in a vehicle. By sifting through significant amounts of numerical data and interpreting relevant figures it was possible to discern some information around drivers’ actions. But today AI and machine learning video solutions provide the ability to understand the circumstances around a harsh driving event. In fact, progressive analysis skills made possible by machine learning continuously improve the accuracy of the automated classification of event severity and, today, managers are only notified when an event requires review.

These new technologies also offer the ability to engage directly with a driver in near real-time to course-correct before driving infractions mount up or a potential accident happens. This means that business leaders can broaden visibility and deepen their knowledge of what goes on in their fleet without adding to their burden by requiring a person sift through data or hours of footage.

Statistical analysis of driver behaviour and operational efficiency data is as much an art as it is a science. With so many variables to consider, including human and machine elements, refining the way owners and operators manage their people, as well as their equipment, in near real-time, is imperative.

In addition to reducing the likelihood of accidents, businesses can further mitigate risk by reducing false liability claims. Oftentimes, businesses avoid major lawsuits and damage to their reputations by paying out when accused of fault in an accident. Without the ability to back up a driver’s account, owners are left with few options. Video solutions offer the ability to provide evidence as businesses back up their drivers, enhancing the trust relationship between owners and employees as well as between the business and customers (not to mention prospective customers).

The new normal in transportation is over-communication, transparency and complete visibility, as consumers expect same-day deliver and updates en route. Customers’ expectations of what constitutes ‘above and beyond’ services are evolving as quickly as the technology that plays an integral part in day-to-day workflows. To continue to offer excellent customer services, businesses must continue innovating.

AI and machine learning are making the trucking sector smarter and more efficient, helping operators meet customers’ increased expectations and proactively avoid liability and risk, rather than reacting to incidents that could otherwise have been avoided.

Companies that are only considering starting their digital transformation are already behind the curve. As digital technologies become a more integral part of the sector and before major changes like autonomous vehicles become a reality, businesses that adopt innovative digital solutions today will be able to keep up with the best-in-class competitors of tomorrow.