The transportation sector is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S., with medium- and heavy-duty trucks accounting for more than a quarter of all transportation-related emissions.
Still, a recent survey found that most motor carriers say that they do not feel pressure to reduce their carbon emissions. However, with a looming, government-led push to reduce carbon emissions to net-zero and an increasing focus on sustainability across all industries, pressure on carriers to reduce their carbon footprint in the coming years will only increase.
“It feels like now a lot of these environmental issues that have been externalized for so long are starting to become table stakes in certain industries, and I think trucking is going to be one of those here in the near future,” Tyler Cole said during an episode of Freight Waves’ Net Zero podcast earlier this year.
The good news is that sustainability efforts don’t have to be at odds with running a profitable transportation business. In fact, many technology-supported sustainability measures can also help carriers reduce costs and increase efficiency – boosting their bottom line.
And carriers that act today are positioned to gain a competitive advantage as the focus on sustainability in transportation intensifies.
“Acknowledging the health and environmental risks of freight trucking as it exists today and recognizing the industry’s carbon footprint is the first step in being able to create strategies to address this challenge,” Craig McLane of trucking company JLE Industries wrote in a recent article in Freight Waves. “There are benefits to being proactive and transparent with your efforts and aligning yourself with customers and partners who share your commitment to sustainability.”
Telematics can play a huge role in helping carriers achieve sustainability goals while saving money and increasing operational efficiency.
Improve Driver Behavior
A heavy-duty truck consumes nearly a gallon of fuel for every hour it sits idling, per the U.S. Department of Energy. And the American Trucking Associations estimates that a truck travelling at 75 mph uses 27% more fuel than one going 65 mph. It’s clear, then, that excessive idling, speeding and other driver behaviors waste fuel – resulting in increased GHG emissions – while putting undue wear and tear on trucks and other assets.
A telematics solution can provide actionable data that carriers can use to quickly identify and address these types of driver behaviors. EROAD’s Idle Report, for instance, displays average idle time by vehicle, date, time and location, making it easy to pinpoint excessive idling and its causes. Similarly, EROAD’s Over Speed Dashboard helps carriers monitor speeding events and trends, helping them reduce costs through fuel savings while improving safety.
Reduce Miles Traveled
Reducing vehicle miles traveled is among the Energy Department’s Core Principles of Sustainable Fleet Management. Transportation businesses can use telematics to reduce miles traveled – including wasted deadhead miles – and cut fuel usage by identifying the most efficient, truck-friendly routes. Improved routing can also cut down on time spent idling on congested roads and highways. The result: reduced fuel costs and less GHG emissions.
Improve Vehicle Maintenance
Well-maintained engines typically use less fuel. On the other hand, neglected engines may burn more fuel and experience poorer performance, which could lead to increased GHG emissions – not to mention the need for costly major repairs down the line. Robust telematics can help carriers manage preventative maintenance, alert them to fault codes early, and facilitate easy pre- and post-trip inspections, lowering costs and supporting sustainability.
Maintaining proper tire pressure is also crucial to running an efficient, sustainable fleet. But a survey of 35,000 commercial vehicles by the ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council found that more than 20% of the vehicles had at least one tire that was underinflated by 20 PSI or more. The underinflation problem is especially pervasive with trailers, some experts say.
Advanced trailer telematics are the solution to the underinflation problem.
EROAD’s StealthNet trailer tracker, for example, is compatible with a variety of sensors that provide real-time data on trailer health, including tire pressure and temperature. This information lets carriers quickly identify and address underinflated tires, helping to extend tire life, improve fuel economy and avoid potentially catastrophic blowouts on the road.
