General Truck Accessories

1. Performance-enhancing Exhaust Systems

Performance-enhancing Exhaust Systems aim to improve engine efficiency, boost horsepower, and enhance the driving experience. The benefits include increased horsepower and torque, resulting in a more responsive engine. Additionally, they contribute to enhanced fuel efficiency, providing cost savings during long journeys. Moreover, these systems offer a distinctive exhaust note, adding style and presence to your truck.

2. High-quality Tonneau Covers

High-quality Tonneau Covers serve the purpose of protecting your truck bed and cargo while also adding a sleek, finished look. Their benefits include securing and shielding cargo from the elements, thereby maintaining its condition. Additionally, they contribute to improved fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. Moreover, these covers enhance your truck’s overall aesthetics, turning heads on and off the road.

3. Heavy-duty Floor Liners

Heavy-duty Floor Liners are designed to safeguard your truck’s interior from dirt, mud, and spills. Their benefits include being easy to clean and maintain ensuring a pristine interior. Additionally, they protect the resale value of your truck by preserving the carpet and flooring. Moreover, these liners offer custom-fit options for various truck models, ensuring a perfect and tailored fit.

4. Advanced LED Lighting Systems

Advanced LED Lighting Systems aims to illuminate the road ahead and enhance visibility during nighttime driving. Their benefits include being brighter and more efficient than standard halogen lights and improving safety. Additionally, these lighting systems offer stylish and customizable options for a personalized touch. Moreover, their increased visibility contributes to safer driving in various conditions.

5. Robust Bull Bars or Grille Guards

Robust Bull Bars or Grille Guards are designed to provide front-end protection and add a rugged aesthetic to trucks. Their benefits include guarding against collisions with wildlife and other obstacles, effectively preventing damage. Additionally, they enhance the truck’s visual appeal by adding a bold and aggressive look. Furthermore, these bars and guards serve as a mounting point for auxiliary lights, further enhancing visibility during driving.

6. Durable Bed Liners

Durable Bed Liners serve the purpose of shielding the truck bed from scratches, dents, and corrosion. Their benefits include extending the lifespan of the truck bed, thereby preserving its structural integrity. Moreover, these liners prevent damage to cargo during transportation, maintaining the condition of goods. Additionally, they enhance the overall resale value by presenting a well-maintained truck bed.

Selecting the Right Accessories: Considerations for Truck Owners

When embarking on the journey to upgrade your truck with these essential accessories, consider the following factors for a well-informed decision:

• Compatibility with Your Truck Model: Ensure that the selected accessories are explicitly designed for the make and model of your truck. Check for any specific installation requirements or modifications to guarantee a seamless fit.
• Material Quality and Durability: Opt for accessories made from high-quality materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, or durable plastics. Prioritize durability to ensure a long lifespan and resistance to wear and tear, especially in challenging driving conditions.
• Budget Considerations: Establish a budget range for your accessories and explore options that align with your financial plan. Remember that investing in quality accessories often pays off in terms of longevity, performance, and overall satisfaction.
• Installation Process: Determine whether you have the skills and tools for self-installation or if professional installation services are necessary. Some accessories may require specific expertise, so professional installation can be a wise investment to guarantee proper functionality and longevity.

Conclusion

The road to an optimized and stylish truck begins with carefully chosen accessories. Whether aiming to boost performance, protect your investment, or enhance the overall aesthetics, the right accessories can make a significant difference. By considering compatibility, material quality, budget, and the installation process, you can ensure that your chosen accessories meet your needs and contribute to an elevated and enjoyable driving experience.

So, gear up and hit the road with a truck that performs at its best and looks exceptional. From the growl of a premium exhaust system to the sleek finish of a tonneau cover, these accessories are the keys to transforming your truck into a personalized masterpiece. Safe travels!

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According to the ATRI, the US trucking industry’s operational costs have increased by 18% since 2010. In the US alone, the trucking industry employs 7.95 million people, more than 3.5 million of whom work as truck drivers, who hold more than 90% of truck-driving jobs.

In 2018, the trucking industry in the US was short of approximately 60,800 drivers, an increase of 20% from the previous year, according to a study by the American Trucking Association (ATA). This US driver shortage is forecasted to increase by 160,000 by 2028.

Operating a Class 8 truck is a complex task that requires significant skill. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles mean that the consequences of accidents are particularly severe, with high fatality rates, so drivers receive a lot of training. The financial costs related to truck crashes are also high. When they happen, fleet owners have to pay for vehicle repairs and loss of consignment, driver downtime, and depreciation in a vehicle’s value. As a result, trucks are increasingly equipped with new safety features and driver-alertness systems to further reduce the chance of a crash.

In the US in 2018, more than 150,000 people got injured in crashes involving large trucks, and 4,951 were killed, increasing since 2009. This rising trend can partly be attributed to the increasing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the US. Globally, the transportation sector also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). In the US, the transportation sector produces approximately 27% of the nation’s GHGs. A rise in the number of vehicles and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) has resulted in its being responsible for 47% of the increase in all harmful emissions since 1990.

Although autonomous trucking still faces challenges on many fronts, such as technology, governance, and commercial return, many people think the industry will present the first viable business case for applying this emerging technology. It offers significant benefits to the environment and an enhanced quality of life for drivers. Using autonomous trucks could usher in a new era of quick, affordable, and convenient transportation, with effects, felt far beyond the trucking industry’s borders.

The trucking industry faces many issues that automation would help mitigate or eradicate. The increased efficiencies enabled by automation will have a range of impacts on the daily lives of consumers and drivers. The various benefits are grouped below.

Benefits of autonomous trucks

Safety

• Reduced number of road accidents and fatalities
• Prevent or minimize the severity of accidents

Productivity

• The time it takes to receive packages will be reduced
• Prognostics and diagnostics help reduce vehicle downtime
• Leverage the potential of network operations and accessibility

Comfort and convenience

• Offers a user-centric approach to comfort
• Driver-assisted technologies create a less stressful and less tiring work environment

Experience

• In-vehicle infotainment and connected interactive systems
• Enables non-driving activities such as office work, sleeping, and eating

Environment

• Reduces fuel consumption and, therefore, emissions
• Minimizes the carbon footprint of vehicle journeys
• The state of the environment will improve as greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.

Maintenance and repair

• Increased diagnostic data can enable preventative and more efficient maintenance
• New revenue opportunities related to software handling

Fleet Logistics

• Improved productivity, asset utilization, and profitability
• Increased data for fleet performance analytics

Driver Benefits

• Increased safety
• More efficient use of operator hours
• Optimized driver rest periods
• Eliminating human error
• Better vehicle utilization

Manufacturer opportunities

• Increased revenue from service-based business models
• In-depth insights into a customer’s vehicle use and lifestyle can expose new sales opportunities
• Delivery costs will decrease.

Supplier opportunities

• New market opportunities for software-based solutions
• There will be more choice about which country to buy something from, given delivery cost will be a less important factor in calculating overall cost.

Autonomous trucks potentially offer significant freight transportation savings for the US economy. Trucks carry about three-quarters of US freight when measured by cargo weight or value. Driver compensation represents the largest or second-largest cost component for truck carriers, depending on the fuel price. Fuel and driver compensation each account for about one-third of total operating costs. A truck driver may not drive for more than 11 hours per day under federal regulations, so it is difficult for carriers to improve labor productivity except by using larger trucks. Also, because driver error is the overwhelming cause of vehicle accidents, automation that reduces accident rates could improve public safety.

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In 2018, 7.8 million people held jobs in the trucking industry, but the industry was short 60,800 drivers that same year. With such a shortage of drivers, those who are behind the wheel are often overworked. Long hours and too few breaks can lead to driver fatigue, which means accidents are more likely to occur due to human error. But what will the industry look like as technology continues to progress?

Autonomous vehicles are becoming more widely seen on the roads, and self-driving trucks aren’t far behind. Over 4,000 people died in large truck crashes in 2018, with an average cost of a loss related to an accident coming in at $70,000. Cumming truck accident lawyers explain how crashes involving trucks can be far more devastating than car accidents. Though humans will still need to supervise self-driving trucks, if this advanced technology means a higher level of safety for others on the road, it’s hard to pass up. Self-driving trucks can fix their positions in a specific lane and with a certain distance between them and the vehicle in front of them.

Not only will self-driving trucks help reduce driver distraction, eliminate human error, and optimize driver rest periods, but it can also save about 42 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. Self-driving trucks are also found to be about 10% more fuel-efficient than traditional trucks.

When automated vehicles are introduced into trucking fleets, what will that mean for current drivers? Self-driving trucks will certainly have a gradual implementation over the next decade or two, and drivers will still be needed to supervise the monitor and take over when the truck gets off at an exit. The idea is to allow for time optimization on highways so drivers can rest while the vehicle continues, meaning drivers aren’t likely to become obsolete.

Ultimately, self-driving trucks mean improved safety, a larger amount of goods delivered in a shorter period, an increase in fuel efficiency, and a higher quality of life for truck drivers.

The team at Spaulding Injury Law has designed an infographic about “Shift from Diesel to Electric Trucks,” which covers the Pros and Cons of Switching to Electric Cars and Comparison of Diesel and Electric Trucks. Take a look.

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Autonomous vehicles have started making their way onto the roads, and self-driving trucks are expected to take over the industry in the next 10 years. In fact, a survey found that more than half of small business owners think that fleets will be completely autonomous in 20 years, and 35 percent of those respondents believe it’ll be closer to 10 years.

So, what does this mean for truck drivers? The trucking industry has been facing a driver shortage since 2015, and many people in the industry are worried that autonomous vehicles will put drivers out of work. There has been much debate around whether or not autonomous trucks and technology will impact, but analysts agree that they won’t be taking away jobs anytime soon.

Self-driving trucks are going to change the industry because of their fuel efficiency and safety. They’re predicted to decrease the number of trucking accidents on the road because of their smart technology. Most accidents are caused by human error. Though self-driving trucks will still need human supervision, their technology so far has seen minimal errors, decreasing the likelihood of an accident to happen.

One of the significant potentials of self-driving trucks will be truck platooning that enables the vehicles to keep their positions in specific lanes with a fixed distance. The first vehicle’s behavior, such as braking and steering, is transmitted by vehicle-to-vehicle communication, allowing the vehicles to move in perfect sync with each other and join or leave at specified stations in long-distance motorway trips.

Besides, the all-too-familiar time limitations placed on freight trucks can be removed since the truck will be able to travel 24/7 without requiring driver rest time, compared with today’s driving. Here are some of the key benefits and challenges addressed by self-driving trucks in the current trucking industry.

• Reduced driver distraction
• Increased driver comfort and safety
• Optimized driver rest periods
• Fuel efficiency gains from predictive driving
• Eliminating human error
• Better vehicle utilization
• Improved aerodynamics, emission reduction, better mileage, and fuel consumption through reduced inter-vehicle spacing.

To learn more about the future of the trucking industry, check out this visual from JW Surety Bonds that highlights key trucking industry statistics that help paint a picture of what we can expect for the industry’s future.

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But why isn’t there any reason for fellow truckers to worry about the advent of self-driving trucks?

Autonomous trucks will not displace the jobs

According to Donald Broughton of transportation analysis from Broughton Capital, self-driving trucks won’t be barrelling down the highway in the next five years. Why? Because it involves several challenges including legal. As of now, there’s no clear path to suing a self-driving truck if it hits and kills someone.

In 2016, 3,326 occupants of passenger vehicles, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians died in major truck crashes. The plaintiff bar will probably sue the truck driver, the trucking company that hired the driver, and potentially the company that hired the trucking company, in cases where the trucker was at fault. But what if there is no truck driver to sue?

Second, the technology for self-driving trucks has been proven and quickly developing, but the technology is not commercially viable yet on a large scale. Most of the driving tests occur under highly-monitored situations. Some companies run autonomous trucks on typical highway routes with people in the truck cabin. Most trucking companies are completely aware of the self-driving vehicles’ scope and limitations. Some of the biggest challenges facing automated trucks include maneuvering into crowded streets, navigating into busy hubs, driving into tight city alleys, and transferring goods to loading facilities. Yes, technology will be able to move from the testing lab to more general commercial use, but it will take many years before these cars are truly free of a driver.

Third, truck drivers don’t just drive trucks. Instead, they perform all kinds of tasks, from inspection of freight load, making the necessary repairs, delivering the goods, unloading the freight, receiving the cargo, and refueling the vehicle. They also play a vital role in picking and delivering and moving big trucks through busy city roads. In short, self-driving rigs are only helping in making the job easier and not obsolete.

Indeed, the technology needed to automate the highway driving of long-haul truckers may be a bit easier than vehicles navigating urban centers. However, there are still several capabilities that are lacking and will require human drivers. But the truth is that around 60,000 drivers are short on the industry, a number that could grow to 100,000 in the coming years as demand from Amazon and Walmart continues to grow.

Finally, the trucking industry is too complex for a quick change. There are an estimated 3.5 million Class 8 trucks and more than 5.7 million commercial drivers on American roads today. There are over 210,000 trucking firms, most of them small fleets or owner-operators. American Trucking Associations (ATA) projects that trucks will move 15.18 billion tons of freight in 2017. This figure is expected to rise by 2028 by 36 percent — to 20.7 billion tons. Besides, different types of trucking modes and freight may require different kinds of self-driving technology. In other words, even if the technology is available, it will take many years for self-driving trucks to penetrate such a large, complex industry.

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Within the last few years, trucking technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. Recently, automation has become the central idea of many automotive manufacturers, including Tesla. However, the bigger question is, what does it mean for the industry in the long run? Will, the drivers, have to look for another job, or their work would become more comfortable? The future is coming in fast, but let us have a reality check.

Are autonomous trucks the future? Let us find out. We have all seen those sci-fi movies showing self-driving vehicles, but how much of that is right in the practical sense? Are self-driving trucks something we all can expect in the coming future?

Yes! It is indeed, a reality. Using a simple engage button, the driver needs not to sit at the wheel, but enjoy the ride. We are talking about 18-wheelers fit with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which will have self-driving software along with advanced radar. Other features will include power steering, cruise control, automated gear change, and a camera.

The only thing expected of the driver will be knowledge of all technology, and to remain in the cabin for any emergencies. Autonomous trucking technology is among the most advanced technology of our time. However, we would still need to follow precautions before letting an AI drive a heavy vehicle alongside vehicles with human beings in it.

But why do we need autonomous trucks?

The primary cause of the trucking industry moving towards automated trucks is the shortage of highly qualified truck drivers. There are not too many capable replacements that can handle operations behind the wheel and drive without any mistake. However, the heaviest employment opportunities will always remain in the oil and gas delivery industries, which is excellent trucking news for those looking to drive heavy.

Moreover, many truck-related accidents and deaths, which are the result of tired drivers going on long routes without breaks, are a big concern for the industry. Here is when autonomous trucks can easily handle long-routes while allowing the tired driver to rest during those hours.

Here are some of the key benefits of autonomous trucks:

• Improved safety and fewer accidents, as the risks caused by driver fatigue, can be markedly reduced.
• Higher productivity of the truck transportation network, overcoming the shortage of qualified drivers.
• Improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions, as the trucks have improved aerodynamics designed to reduce 25% of drag.
• Autonomous trucks can be on the road 24/7. They can travel during times of less traffic congestion, i.e., off-peak hours, allowing the trucks to travel long distances in a shorter time.

Have autonomous trucks delivered any Cargo without any flaw?

Yes, autonomous trucks have been secretly driving for months. The Arizona Mirror reported in August 2019 that tech startup TuSimple had autonomous trucks driving on the I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson for months without anyone noticing.

Meanwhile, Uber-owned startup Otto partnered with Budweiser to drive an autonomous truck on Interstate 25 at 120 miles to deliver 2000 cases of beer. Route assigned for this particular job was from Ft. Collins, Colorado, to Colorado Springs. The driver enjoyed the scenery while the truck did the job flawlessly. Moreover, the driver did not have to override any controls.

Looking at the rapid pace at which companies like Daimler Trucks, Waymo, TuSimple, Thor Trucks, Pronto.ai, Volvo, and Torc Robotics are doing the testing of autonomous trucks on public roads in the US, it seems like the technology will come to trucks more quickly than passenger cars. Alphabet subsidiary Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have already driven more than 20 million miles, and the company is now expanding its footprint into Texas and New Mexico.

Impact of autonomous trucking

Evolution is the bitter truth of every industry. What once was the job of a person to burn the night lamps on the streets is now done by automated street lighting.

Similarly, the trucking industry is also no exception; and with automation on the minds of everyone, there is nothing to stop this from becoming a reality. However, the question that comes to the mind is, how exactly will automated trucks impact the trucking industry? Autonomous trucking does fulfill a significant need in the industry.

• Filling the shortage of truck drivers: According to the American Trucking Association, the industry needs to hire nearly 900,000 new drivers over the next decade to account for anticipated industry growth and demand for ultra-fast delivery. To help address this problem, several companies are developing trucks with different degrees of automation.
• Saving costs: With autonomous trucking, human involvement in driving can be decreased significantly. The costs associated with human drivers will also drop. Companies can completely eliminate the labor costs of overnight driving for long-distance trips and other costs linked to human drivers such as insurance and accident liability. Besides, reducing human-caused driving errors can lead to fewer accidents. Businesses will also see an improvement in fuel usage, eliminating gas emissions. By making smarter route decisions, autonomous trucks can cut down their travel time and reduce shipping costs.
• Economic impact: Trucks are the backbone of the supply-chain delivery system. 70% of goods are delivered by truck. Autonomous trucks will revolutionize logistics by bringing down the cost by about four times and increasing the distance driven in a day by 2.5 times. An autonomous truck would be able to deliver across the USA in 2 days instead of 5 days.

With regards to knowing the who’s who of the trucking industry, let us check out two major players in this race.

Major players in autonomous trucks

Embark Trucks

The Embark Trucks, co-founded by engineering prodigy Alex Rodriguez is a San Francisco-based startup for the trucking industry. At present, it has the most extensive automated truck route across the world and the first autonomous trucking company to operate cross-country in the USA.

Loadsmart and Starsky Robotics

The largest digital freight broker Loadsmart and Starsky Robotics, has collaborated to pass another milestone in the trucking industry with self-driving semi-trucks. Both companies dispatch an autonomous truck to deliver freight. It has been possible with the combination of Loadsmart AI-powered pricing and load matching technology along with Starsky API.

Other major players in autonomous trucks are:

• Daimler
• Einride
• TuSimple
• Waymo
• Volvo
• Tesla
• Otto

End note

There is no doubt that the futures of trucking technology are none other than automated and semi-autonomous trucks. For now, truck drivers can breathe a sigh of relief, as the idea will take some time to become a reality. But there is little doubt that the autonomous truck, once portrayed as nothing more than a myth, is now rapidly becoming a reality. Surely, autonomous trucks will arrive faster than you think!

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