What’s the first thing you would do to address the truck driver shortage?

 

—Justin Frees
Chief Capacity Officer
Arrive Logistics

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Urgently address detention time. The odds that a truck driver will crash increases by 6.5% for every 15 minutes they wait on the loading dock, according to the Department of Transportation). By streamlining shipping and receiving with artificial intelligence, drivers will have the safe and efficient workplace they deserve.

—Sam Lurye
Founder
Kargo

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Leverage technology to do more with less in order to reduce operational friction. I would optimize my drivers’ time and give them the ability to see what trailers are loaded/unloaded, exact pick-up locations, and trailer odometers for maintenance.

—John Krumheuer
President
Transportation
Spireon

Increase lead time and limit deadhead. Last-minute loads often increase stress on both drivers and operations teams. Instead, offer pre-dispatch and plan as far out as possible to allow drivers to curate their own schedule while also working to limit deadhead miles by providing drivers with roundtrips as much as possible.

—Corey Riggins
Director, OTR and Carrier Procurement
NEXT Trucking

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Use technology that plans driver schedules according to their preferences. If drivers have greater control over their work week and their managers are working hard to improve their quality of life, improvements in recruiting and retention will follow.

—Belinda Rueffer
Director, Marketing
Axele.com

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Instead of adding more to what you have, using what you already have more efficiently is the way to go about it. See where the gaps are in your planning and routing, and how you can optimize that.

—Marc
Meyer
Chief Commercial Officer
Transmetrics

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Organize a day session for leaders of the National Association of Independent Truckers and the National Association of Small Trucking Companies to meet with Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs. Using Rowe’s personality and audience, with their reach and funding, give them a mandate to develop a continuous national campaign to change the image of truck driving to one that provides independence, fiscal rewards, and a positive lifestyle to destigmatize the profession and recruit new drivers.

—John Reichert
Senior Director, SCE Solutions
Tecsys

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Performance-based rewards for drivers, similar to commission bonuses, would boost the role’s attractiveness. Despite the extensive training required, driving has historically been classed as low-skilled, and the pay has reflected that. But in the same way the commercial team is important for winning the business, drivers are important for retaining it.

—Matt Paxton
Head of Road
Zencargo

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create an online network to connect qualified drivers to prospective brokers and transportation companies so that when one contract ends, drivers can quickly pick up another one. I’d also develop a driver-specific education program focused on the fundamentals of owning a delivery business.

—Wendy Greenland
CEO
Openforce
CLDA Member

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The answer isn’t only money. Driver wages do need to improve, but we must also recognize driving a truck is a lifestyle. Addressing the truck driver shortage comes down to improving the culture and making it a better experience. This means taking steps to improve productivity, which includes implementing more efficient routes, more flexible appointment windows, and faster loading and unloading times.

—John Lower
Vice President
GEODIS Capacity Solutions

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Enhanced national recruitment campaigns and allowing 18-year-olds into mentorship programs could help curb current and future truck driver shortages.

—Michael Salz
President, Bulk Tank Truck
Odyssey Logistics & Technology

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Intelligent fleet and safety management solutions are a great way to abate driver shortages—this technology gives fleet managers the ability to do more with less and create the most efficient business model possible. With limited vehicle supply due to the chip shortage in addition to the ongoing driver shortage, it’s important for fleet managers to have access to real-time location and health of the fleet and equipment as well as data about their workforce so they can make smarter decisions.

—John Carione
Vice President, Marketing
IntelliShift

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Understanding the next generation of drivers’ expectations is critical. Our Drivers Wanted research study uncovered that delivering on these expectations through investments in driver safety and quality of life, providing pathways toward career advancement, reducing barriers to entry, and building long-term strategies can help businesses attract and retain drivers.

—Nick Shroeger
Chief Network Solutions Officer
Coyote Logistics

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Focus recruiting efforts toward untapped markets such as females or couples in general. Women make up roughly 47% of the nation’s workforce but currently account for only about 6% of commercial truck drivers. The pandemic has more people working from home; some of those individuals may be ready to travel the country. What better way than for a couple to partner up as a team to drive a truck?

—Dee Dee Cox
Vice President, Human Resources
Old Dominion Freight Line

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Innovate driver engagement programs with technologies that align driver and company goals. For example, new tools are available that gamify the driver experience and increase daily collaboration and engagement. The result is increased satisfaction and savings opportunities that can be shared with drivers via incentive programs.

—Daniel Burrows
CEO
TruckLabs

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Change the rules to be more flexible. Allow the industry to recruit veterans with similar experience without the need for retraining and certifications, encourage diversity—more people of color and women—focus on driver compensation, and utilize advanced technologies such as automation.

—Sid Gaitonde
SVP and General Manager
Digital Logistics Solutions
PDI Software

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Focus on the driver experience. From an intermodal drayage perspective, this means improving intermodal ramp fluidity to reduce cycle time. Drivers who experience delays and poor equipment quality will often leave for what they consider to be “easier” freight. Focus on improved in-gate and out-gate processes combined with proactive equipment maintenance.

—Jack Haenggi
General Director, Strategic Services
Loup

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Strengthen the talent pipeline to ensure we engage the next generation of drivers. As an industry, establishing apprentice programs for new drivers and creating a welcoming environment for women and under-represented groups is critical.

—Jim Monkmeyer
President, Transportation
DHL Supply Chain, North America

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Start by dispelling myths about trucking. Many potential drivers feel deterred by learning a new skill set, but the highly automated functionality in today’s modern trucks reduces the learning curve. With route optimizations, it’s possible to offer drivers shorter, regional routes so they can get back home to their families quickly.

—Greg Price
CEO & Co-founder
Shipwell

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Rebrand the role; truck drivers are often the only personal touchpoint with the end customer, suppliers, and partners. This is more than simply driving from point A to point B, it’s about the customer experience. And then, we need to revamp the education system, introducing this career earlier on in high school or vocational school to legitimize and elevate the role.

—Guy Courtin
Vice President and Industry Principal, Retail
Tecsys

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I have found engaging and empowering truck drivers that are involved with the delivery of healthcare-related goods and equipment with the knowledge that they serve a vital part of the health continuum instills in them a passion of purpose. I think management in any industry can borrow from this, highlighting how driving a truck is more than just a salary, it’s an integral part of a business’ success.

—Cory Turner
Director of Healthcare Strategy
Tecsys

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HAVE A GREAT ANSWER TO A GOOD QUESTION?

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What spot shortage do you predict next?

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