The trucking industry seems to be reaching the boiling point thanks in part to a confluence of industry changes, high demand, and an aging workforce.

The ELD has become a massive point of contention within the trucking industry thanks to its innate ability to cause headaches for the drivers. These headaches are further compounded by the industry continuing its upward climb without any signs of slowing down.  In the last year alone, trucks have accounted for 70.2% of all freight moved within the US alone and has seen a 3.8% increase from 2016 to 2017. From January to July in 2018 there was an increase of 8% from the previous year alone; the industry is pushing itself harder every day. This increase is due in part to companies like Amazon who have drastically changed consumer’s expectations on the speed at which goods arrive at their homes.

With more and more Amazon distribution centers being built every year, the strain on the industry is continuing to grow, not just for the drivers. Truck manufacturers are coming under pressure as well as they attempt to keep up with the increased demand from an industry already in the weeds. In July of 2018 alone, a record-setting 52,400 trucks were ordered during a month that is usually the slowest of the year. The hope is that the influx of new trucks will help with the trucker shortage by enticing prospective drivers into the industry.

The trucks themselves are becoming more sophisticated through the use of technology, but it won’t ease all of the problems. The workforce is not able to keep up with the aging and retiring current drivers which exacerbate an already strained industry closer to the point of breaking. When new drivers do join the ranks, their expectations regarding safety and technology are more advanced than the current workforce. This need for smart technology advancements has created a demand that RigPark is looking to satisfy with predictable, safe, and reliable parking for an ever-changing workforce and industry.

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