Efficient resource management is extremely important for any trucking company. Time, fuel and manpower wasted on hauling empty trailers after deliveries can severely impact a company’s monthly expense reports and revenue.
Smart companies know that avoiding unnecessary expenditures is the key to increasing profitability, growth and success. These companies look for ways to reduce waste and improve overall efficiency. Below, we will discuss the causes of, and solutions to, empty truck syndrome with these specific goals in mind.
Empty truck syndrome is a term used to describe a common situation in the trucking industry where fleet vehicles operate without any freight or cargo in tow. This situation occurs when a truck completes a delivery but does not have a return load, or when a truck travels to its next pickup location without any cargo on board.
There are several factors which can contribute to empty truck syndrome, as well as several reasons for companies to find ways to reduce instances of it. First, let us explore the standard causes of this issue.
As mentioned above, empty truck syndrome can be the result of many circumstances. Here are a few of the more common reasons companies end up with empty trucks on the road:
An imbalance between higher demand for freight transportation in certain areas and lower demand in others can result in fleet vehicles traveling empty in one direction or over long distances to pick up the next load.
A lack of efficient route optimization and planning can lead to empty trailers on return trips and a waste of fleet resources. A lack of proper scheduling can cause trucks to travel back home without any cargo.
Ineffective communication between all the links in a supply chain can lead to missed opportunities and empty trucks. Without proper coordination, drivers wind up making return trips without cargo in tow.
Industries such as agriculture or retail experience fluctuations in demand at certain times throughout the year. During periods of low-demand, trucks can struggle to find return loads, which can lead to empty truck syndrome
Empty truck weight is a waste of opportunity, resources and fuel. As a result of this waste, company revenue, driver satisfaction, and customer service all suffer. Proper supply chain management and transport logistics can help maximize efficiency and improve profitability.
By optimizing the use of existing fleet assets, companies are able to generate more income without the need for additional investments. This allows a business to be more competitive and grow faster.
However, the benefits to effective planning and resource utilization go beyond your company’s bottom line. Reducing empty truck syndrome also has a positive environmental impact, as fuel consumption produces harmful carbon emissions. Furthermore, by decreasing the number of empty trucks on roadways can help the environment by minimizing traffic congestion, which also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
Now that we have explained the causes of empty truck syndrome, as well as the benefits for reducing this problem, we can discuss the ways in which your company can avoid the issue.
Many of the causes for empty truck syndrome mentioned earlier come down to planning, coordination, and communication. While it may be difficult to control fluctuations in demand or market conditions, a smart company can implement certain strategies which can greatly reduce the number of empty vehicles they have on the road.
Utilizing powerful fleet management software is one such strategy. Eurowag provides an online platform that allows you to manage all of the vehicles in your fleet with ease and convenience. This platform provides clients with information on the current location of vehicles, fuel usage tracking, route planning and detailed trip reports. These tools help clients to optimize their operational processes and minimize empty routes.
Another way in which Eurowag helps its clients avoid the waste and inefficiency associated with empty truck syndrome is through better route planning and optimization. Eurowag provides tools that account for vehicle loads, traffic constraints, and other factors which can cause some of the issues mentioned above. These tools help drivers and vehicle operators to minimize empty routes and improve the efficiency of their available resources.
Contact us today to find out how Eurowag can help your business keep moving on the road to success over the long haul.
