Researchers: Big Data Could Move Trucking Better
Photo: U.S. DOT
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Photo: U.S. DOT
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Researchers at the University of Illinois contend that using real-time data collected by the U.S. Department of Transportation could help fleets save billions of dollars a year by avoiding congestion.
The university is working with the Iowa Department of Transportation to identify ways that fleets can increase productivity and improve safety. In doing so, they have determined that leveraging big data could play a pivotal role.
“The DOT has a lot of real-time data on the operating conditions of state highways and secondary roads, and it wants to make sure the data is of value to carriers,” said Dave Cantor, an associate professor of supply chain management at Iowa State. “With this data and information, we can improve on-time delivery performance, safe delivery of the freight and minimize idle time.”
While real-time data already being collected by DOT could help fleets refine routes and avoid idle time, the biggest problem that researchers found was that there is no easy way for all fleets to access the information. The data could relay up-to-date information on road conditions, traffic speeds, congestion, accidents and construction projects– all of which can impede the flow of commerce.
Small fleets with fewer than 100 trucks were found to not have access to the technology or the manpower needed to receive and process DOT data. That puts these companies at a disadvantage compared to large fleets. Researchers surveyed around two dozen logistics and technology providers, large and small carriers and various types of haulers to collect data for the report.
“There’s no sense in sending a truck into Des Moines at 4 o’clock in the afternoon if we know the driver is just going to sit in traffic,” said Neal Foster, a former trucking company owner who is part of the research team. “Every truck line that I know wants …Read the rest of this story
