Oct 15, 2020 • Community

A Closer Look at the Trucking Industry in America

The trucking industry is the lifeblood of America’s economy. In fact, nearly every good consumed in the U.S. is put on a truck at some point. We’ve compiled some trucking stats and facts on the infographic below.

Try Trucker Path Premium FREE for 14 Days

Truck Driver Turnover Rate Rapidly Increased [p]The truck driver turnover rate rapidly increased to its highest mark in the last seven years in the second quarter of 2017. [/p] [h2] Truck Driver Turnover Rate [/h2] [p]According to American Trucking Associations' quarterly report, the turnover rate at large truckload carriers in the second quarter of 2017<strong> jumped 16 percentage points to 90 percent</strong> – the highest it has been since the final quarter of 2015. [/p] [p]The 16-point increase is the largest quarterly jump in truck driver turnover rate since the fourth quarter of 2010. [/p] [quote]"We saw double-digit gains in the annualized turnover rate for both small and large truckload fleets,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “After a period of relatively low turnover, it appears the driver market is tightening again, which coupled with increased demand for freight movement, could rapidly exacerbate the driver shortage.”[/quote] [p]The ATA report also revealed turnover numbers for smaller fleets. Smaller carrier companies with $30 million in annual revenue or less saw aneven higher turnover rate increase. For them, the turnover rate increased by 19 percentage points to 85 percent, the highest it has been since the first quarter of 2016. [/p] [p]The turnover picture at less-than-truckload fleets was more muddled, with over-the-road LTL turnover dipping one point to 9 percent, says the ATA. [/p] [quote]“We predicted that last year’s period of relatively low and stable turnover could be short-lived if the freight economy recovered from 2016’s freight recession,” Costello said. “It appears those predictions were correct and we may be seeing the beginnings of a significant tightening of the driver market and acceleration of the driver shortage.”[/quote] [h2]Truck Tonnage Trending Up [/h2] [p] Despite the high truck driver turnover rate and impeding driver shortage, <strong>Truck Tonnage Index jumped 7.1 percent in August</strong> and year-to-date, compared with the same eight months in 2016, the index is up 2.1 percent, says the ATA. Costello partially correlates the increases in August to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. [/p] [p] The <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/trucking-industry-trends/">trucking industry is trending</a> up still, with 2016 truck freight tonnage up 1 percent or 500 million tons from 2015. [/p] [p] If you're a truck driver and are ready to make the jump to start your own trucking company, the timing might be right. [/p] [button-green href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/how-to-start-a-trucking-company/"]How to Start a Trucking Company[/button-green]

Sep 19, 2017 • Carriers

Nebraska Troopers Ride With Truckers to Spot Unsafe Drivers

Mar 01, 2017 • Community

GPS Devices for Trucks <h2></h2> <h3></h3> Truck GPS navigation devices are different than the one you might use in your everyday car or truck. The screens are usually larger, sturdier for everyday use, and offer more advanced, but necessary, features truck drivers need to safely and efficiently make it to their destination. Here are some of the most common GPS devices that Truckers use in this day and age. <h2></h2> <strong>1. Garmin dezl 770LMT</strong> <h2></h2> Cost: Approximately $450-$500 <h1></h1> Description: 7” HD screen with glass display. <h1></h1> Features: This trucking GPS navigation unit features a truck and trailers services directory, customized trucking routes, lifetime map updates, weigh station alerts, traffic and weather information, backup camera compatibility, and Bluetooth capabilities for hands-free use. <h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/dezl.jpg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/dezl-300x244.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="244" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5146" /></a> <h2></h2> <strong>2. Rand McNally TND 520</strong> <h2></h2> Cost: Approximately $400 <h1></h1> Description: 5” display screen. <h1></h1> Features: This trucking GPS navigation unit features updates on weather, fuel pricing, traffic, and travel centers along with assistance tracking fuel and mileage logs. <h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/mcnally.jpg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/mcnally-300x227.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="227" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5147" /></a> <h2></h2> <strong>3. TruckWayGPS - Model 720 </strong> <h2></h2> Cost: Approx $150 <h1></h1> Description: large 7” touch screen display, with 800x400 pixels. <h1></h1> Features: This trucking GPS navigation unit provides drivers with current and up-to-date maps, 3D maps, as well as free maps for the US and Canada. You can even enter the weight and directions for your truck so you can get the best route for the type of load you’re hauling. <h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/truckway.jpg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/truckway-300x273.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="273" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5149" /></a> <h2></h2> For many drivers, a GPS unit on its own isn’t enough to give them the information they want or need. Many drivers like to use supplementary apps to ensure they have their location and approach nailed down. Apps like <a href="https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/">Trucker Path</a> offer additional information and features that GPS units simply don’t have (for only $9.99 a month),such as more information on truck stops, best places for truckers to get food, best places to stay the night, updates on whether stops are open, and even ratings from other truck drivers on what these places are like. <h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/tpgps.jpg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/tpgps-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5148" /></a> <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Jul 14, 2020 • Carriers