Discover effective strategies to reduce truck detention times and enhance fleet efficiency, as highlighted by LA's Global Trade magazine.
High truck detention times remain a major obstacle to fleet efficiency, reports LA's Global Trade magazine. Industry surveys show that drivers spend up to 29 percent of their driving time idle while waiting for trucks to be loaded.
Detention is costly, with fees ranging from US$25 to $50 per hour and sometimes reaching as high as $250. Delays reduce supply chain efficiency, cause late deliveries, and risk client dissatisfaction. They also discourage drivers, worsening labor shortages in the sector.
Experts emphasize that clear communication is critical. Trucking companies should set detention expectations and rates upfront, while warehouses must share schedules and staffing levels. Early coordination helps prevent miscommunication and delays.
Technology offers viable solutions. IoT tracking provides real-time shipment updates, enabling warehouses to adjust schedules when trucks are delayed. Routing and scheduling software, often powered by artificial intelligence, can optimize delivery paths and automate timetables to reduce idle time.
Staggered schedules help distribute workloads evenly, while automation, such as storage and retrieval systems or palletizing robots, can offset labor shortages. Warehouses can load trucks faster and maintain productivity even with limited staff.
Logistics firms are also advised to build buffers into delivery schedules to account for detention and to prepare contingency plans for unexpected delays. Clear protocols for rerouting and communication can mitigate disruption.
Reducing detention time improves efficiency, lowers costs, and supports driver retention. As competition intensifies, fleets that minimize idle time will gain a clear advantage in productivity and customer satisfaction.
