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7 Most Common Causes of Trucking Delays & How to Fix Them

  • December 29, 2020
  • Madeline S.

Trucking is responsible for moving the majority of goods across the U.S. and Canada, and in a perfect world, the process would always be a smooth one. As frustrating as it can be for drivers, customers, carriers, and shippers, delays happen all the time in the transportation world. No matter what role you play in the industry, managing delays will be something you’ll have to handle. Here are some of the most common causes of trucking delays and how you can fix them.


Lack of Visibility

Supply chain transparency has been a key issue in the transportation industry for the past few years. When companies don’t place importance on visibility, it’s easy for freight to get lost, delayed, or damaged. With the technology available today, it’s easy for companies to be transparent. With freight tracking, route mapping, and constant communication, it’s easy for shippers and carriers to keep a close eye on the goods being moved.


Weather

Even the best planning in the world can go out the window when severe weather hits. Hurricanes, snowstorms, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornados, wildfires, and more can cause delayed shipments. While transportation companies can’t plan for all of these, modern technology makes it easier to keep a close eye on the weather and make real-time adjustments as needed.


Inadequate Technology

The trucking industry has been undergoing a technological revolution in the past few years. Not everyone in the industry has been quick to embrace the change, though. Old software and antique hardware can cause delays to happen, which is why companies should be investing in technology such as cloud-based software like AVAAL Freight Management Software, which allows businesses to track and manage their business from anywhere.


Traffic

Traffic is one of the oldest and most common causes of trucking delays. From construction to detours, congestion is something that all trucking companies just have to learn to deal with. This becomes a lot easier with a good Trucking Management Software that allows dispatchers to optimize routes and access real-time maps. It makes it easy for them to reroute as needed.


Vehicle Issues

Truck breakdowns are bound to happen at some point. Unfortunately, if they happen during a shipment, it means delays are unavoidable. Trucking companies can reduce the risk of vehicle issues by using software to keep track of maintenance. Tracking software also makes it easy for truck drivers to request help quickly so they can get back on the road.


High Volume

The transportation industry is always working, but certain times of year are busier than others. The peak holiday season, for example, is when trucking companies start to see a high volume of freight and packages. By investing in order management software, companies can easily track freight when things start to pick up and look at past data to predict how the next year will be.


Customs

Everyone knows that anything that has to do with the government takes some time. The trucking industry is one of the most regulated in the U.S. and Canada, which means cross-border freight will have to go through the customs process. In order to reduce the risk of delays, carriers should ensure all drivers have the proper documents needed. This process becomes a lot smoother with the help of customs software like AVAAL eManifest, which makes it easy to submit and keep track of all the documents needed to move freight between the U.S. and Canada borders legally.


Many of the most common causes of trucking delays can be solved by investing in the right technology. Delays will also pop up, but companies can easily manage and mitigate them with the right software. AVAAL offers a number of comprehensive software to help your transportation company increase efficiency and profitability.


Contact us if you have any questions or are interested in signing up for one of our software!