How Technology Has Changed Trucking

May 19, 2023

In today’s fast-paced world, technology continues to advance and make a significant impact on the trucking industry. We reached out to truck drivers in our Facebook Group, RoadPro Driver’s Lounge, to gather insights on how technology has changed trucking for them. Many truck drivers remember the days of navigating with paper maps, using payphones at truck stops, and relying on CB radios for communication. Drivers also expressed how much easier it is for them to communicate with family and friends back home. Most agreed that technological advances have brought positive changes to the trucking industry, making their lives easier and more efficient.

The days of fumbling with paper maps and atlases to find the right route are gone. Thanks to the invention of a GPS, truck drivers have access to accurate and real-time navigation assistance. Whether it’s routing to a specific address, locating a truck stop, re-routing around an accident, or finding a nearby restaurant, GPS technology has enhanced truckers’ navigation on the road.

While some still must do paperwork and manual record-keeping on the road, many have switched over to all digital. With just a few minutes on a tablet, drivers can manage their inventory, and ensure a timely delivery. The digital process has increased productivity and reduced the number of errors that occur when recording information manually.

One of the most remarkable advancements in the trucking industry is the use of voice commands. While voice commands are beneficial to anyone operating a vehicle, truck drivers can make hands-free calls, locate their next route, and control radios while operating their semi-trucks. The hands-free approach helps ensure truck drivers are maintaining safety and staying alert on the road.

Many drivers expressed their satisfaction with the digital processes of everything they need to manage on the road. From dispatch coordination to loading information, technology has helped improve operations and smoother processes. As technology continues to evolve, the trucking industry is sure to experience more changes over the road that help keep drivers safe.

How has technology changed trucking for you?

Join our community at RoadPro Driver’s Lounge on Facebook or share with us in the comments section below.

Bill Weber

May 30, 2023

Technology on the road has made life easier, not better.
Donovan Harper

May 30, 2023

Life easier on the road, really? The internet makes it easier to get their loads covered but drives the price to the truck down. Truck drivers are more dependent on electronic devices and no more drivers helping each other. Drivers today can’t speak English and take their breaks on the fuel lanes. ELogs and cameras to babysit steering wheel holders who wear flip flops and can’t park a truck and you all have the audacity to say life on the road is much easier? Peddle that crap to those who are clueless. Don’t piss in my face and tell me it’s raining.
Michael

May 30, 2023

Well I didn't drive when CBs was still a hot topic or Paper Maps was necessary but Tech though expensive has improved my time on the road. For example a power inverter some extra marine batteries and a microwave. Oh and a special dish so to speak and I can have a delicious steak dinner for less than a cheap ass pressed soy burger from any of your fast food joints. The dish is called the Westinghouse crisper grill. It don't really crisp it up but it does the job of cooking your meat thoroughly without turning your meat into shoe leather.
Richard Monaghan

May 30, 2023

I drove for 50 years, so I saw incredible change. Until the ELD mandate most changes were positive. Now drivers must fly down the road to get maximum miles for their driving hours of service. Its not improved safety or helped with the MPG on trucks as promoted by the FMCSA.
Poet Aalbers

May 30, 2023

All this new fangled computer stuff has me stymied. Yes, I can operate my ELD to some degree. (I don't get into trouble much) Having a tablet and a smart phone leaves me cold. This is not a learning curve, it's a learning SPIKE. 50 years ago, I could fix most mechanical problems on the side of the road. 2 months ago, my unit was dead in the water because of an injector failure. After having it towed home, it took the dealer 5 weeks to get the diagnostic tool to get it fixed. Technology is a no-go, as far as i'm concerned. Let me DRIVE!!! Leave the computers to NERDS.
May 30, 2023

It’s changed alright however we as truckers have adapted we did good in all the changes that came our way and did with what we had one thing that hasn’t changed is that we still have to drive the miles from shipper to consignee. I remember calling cards and phones in the truck stop wish the phones where still here if you loose your cell it would come in handy oh by the way I still use my c b for road checks so still mixing the old with the new amazing
Emmanuel j home

May 30, 2023

Well mixing the old with the new is the best. I still use my atlas wouldn’t have a problem if I had to use paper logs. I use google maps for street address it’s great however I still call shipper and consignee for direction to confirm gps direction never rely on just that one source of info.will and can have you off course which is a delay .I still use c b for road checks have went around a many hiway backup with the c b and communicate with shipper and consignee with c b also get all kind of good info from other drivers with it still a great tool to have .the after treatment on the newer trucks has a high cost it’s good we’re trying to preserve the world by cleaning the air but these engineers ,scientist, and manufactures should make it affordable for all maybe the price will go down but these can’s are just to high and the trucks aren’t getting the fuel mileage for the cost .so all in all the advances are good. The new tech is great however we still have pickup and deliver loads though some are wanting autonomus and a I then won’t have a need for you or me so sad ?
Joseph Stevenson

May 31, 2023

it makes it easier for family to contact me when I'm away from home if there's like if a family member becomes very ill they can cal and let me know to where I can make a tough decision
Jim

June 4, 2023

That's what the real drivers call the good old days,them days are long gone as well as 90%of the real drivers all is left are the seat fillers and wanna b's
BJ Neal

June 5, 2023

It is a huge step from when I started riding with my Dad in the 50s before CBs,Jake brakes, air ride and 80,000 lb payloads.
By( the time I was allowed to drive (female) in the 70s I had to learn how to use all of that and bigger engines, and longer trailers.
I struggle with the ELD, the forced 10 hour layover and electronic trucks that tell me when I am too close (as if I had no idea I was preparing to pass another vehicle) and panic braking (because the the truck thinks I am going to hit an overhead bridge)!!
These "newer" ideas may be needed for untrained drivers, however I am very thankful I was taught to drive back when older drivers thought it was part of the job to pass on their knowledge to those of us starting out.
Serious lack of true life driving is huge shortcoming in today's trucking.
I spend a lot of my current driving (auto and truck) watching out for ignorance in the drivers around me. Not good and I am not impressed with the "smart trucks" and the future of them.
Bruce Wehner

June 5, 2023

Twenty years ago it was pretty common for me to use numerous log books. I used maps to navigate around the major cities and the country.
Now it's E-logs which I almost prefer over paper. Not perfect but doable. GPS is great but never trusted. I always use maps to double check my route.
Technology has made my career easier as it has been introduced
Herb Womac

June 5, 2023

GPS has made drivers lazy. They don't think for themselves anymore. Hardly anyone uses a CB anymore so communication between drivers is almost gone
Pastor Dennis Clark Sr

June 7, 2023

Yes, I remember those days before GPS, and having to use road atlas to navigate the spectrum of getting the job done. I am a military veteran and started my commercial driving career in the last century in 1989 after leaving the Army.

Things have changed tremendously. I remember getting a gps and letting it do the work of getting me to my destination. This was so much better and less stressly, although I would like to inject that sometimes you have to be careful that the GPS does not lead you down a road that is a deadend. You must use some common sense in making sure you steer clear of places your commercial vehice is not suppose to be.
But overall it has been a vast improvement over the beginning days.
Also when I started I don't rember any automatic trucks, but today they are common.

When I started if I could only drive a automatic truck, I gues I would not have had a job. Things have definitely changer since I started. That is for sure.

How Technology Has Changed Trucking

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