Study: Digitization helps fight driver shortages
More efficient deployment of drivers and higher job satisfaction: A study by the German logistics association, BVL, and T-Systems shows how digitalizing logistics can help in the fight against driver shortages.
Frequent disruptions, increased freight rates and rejected transports: The shortage of drivers in the logistics sector has a major impact on the operative business. This is the result of the study "Digitization of the Transport Chain and the Role of Drivers" by the German logistics association, BVL, and T-Systems. Freight forwarders are desperately looking for truck drivers; the industry currently faces a shortage of around 40,000 workers. It is estimated that this figure could even rise to 150,000 by 2030, because many drivers will retire over the next few years and there are not enough new drivers replacing them. At the same time, the number of transports is increasing. There are different approaches to dealing with the problem in the future: Promoting young talent, robotics and autonomous driving, better pay and working conditions – and digital solutions.
LOGISTICS: DIGITIZATION SUPPORTS THE FIGHT AGAINST DRIVER SHORTAGES
The majority of the BVL members surveyed agree with the statement that digitization can support the fight against driver shortages in logistics. The industry and trade sectors are somewhat more open to digital technologies than service providers in logistics, whether with or without a vehicle fleet. The greatest obstacle to the implementation of digital measures, according to the respondents, is the lack of links between the systems and applications of all the companies along the supply chain (81 percent). Two out of three companies (66 percent) state that they are unwilling to exchange internal company data with partners in the supply chain. Other hurdles include the financial cost of purchasing systems or equipment (61 percent), the time required for implementation and integration (54 percent) and fundamental concerns about data security (31 percent).
The BVL members see the greatest potential for more efficient driver deployment in the interface and ramp area. In particular, companies expect digital solutions to reduce waiting times through better time slot management (74 percent) and better capacity planning at the unloading station (62 percent). Although companies are familiar with numerous relevant digitalization measures such as predictive analytics, the topic is probably not pursued further very often. Service providers in logistics with a fleet of vehicles are already implementing more digital instruments for transport logistics, while logistics service providers without a fleet are somewhat more cautious.
TRANSPORT: DYNAMIC ROUTE PLANNING IS HIGHLY VALUED
According to the study, the second most important area with potential for making the working time of truck drivers more productive is transport telematics, which includes all processes on the road and on the vehicle. In the opinion of the companies surveyed, network, route and load planning have the greatest potential for more efficient driver deployment. The most highly rated measure is dynamic route planning for transport; there is the highest rate of implementation, however, at freight and transport exchanges. Overall, service providers in logistics with vehicle fleets rely the most on new solutions in comparison to industry and trade as well as logistics service providers without vehicle fleets. In terms of job satisfaction, appreciation and social interaction are very important factors. The most relevant measure, which is at the same time the most widely implemented, is considered to be family-oriented duty rosters and work schedules.
The BVL members see great potential in a comprehensive data platform for the logistics sector: more than half of the companies would participate in platforms that would improve the management of the supply chain. The data categories that are currently most frequently shared are transport data (64 percent). In contrast, data on the condition of goods is shared by only 17 percent of companies. However, around three out of four companies (75 percent) state that they are willing to share data in principle. However, the need for data is even greater: 85 percent of those surveyed state that they need data in order to control the supply chain. The study comes to the conclusion that the reason for the somewhat low level of data exchange is not so much a lack of willingness as the lower availability of the data.
TRANSPORT LOGISTICS: ADVANTAGES THROUGH NETWORKING
From digital fleet management and data platforms to trailer networking and time slot management, digitalization has already produced numerous technologies that companies can use to optimize transport logistics. For example, the building services provider Avant uses GPS tracking devices for the OBD2 interface of vehicles. These transfer the location and other data via NarrowBand IoT (NB-IoT) to the cloud for route optimization. As a result, Avant and its fleet can take on more orders, optimally utilize teams and use 20 percent less fuel. Digitalization can also help to make drivers' working conditions more transparent: With the "FairTruck" evaluation portal, truck drivers can, for example, rate their employers in terms of appreciation, salary or sustainability.
Florian Marte
Head of IoT Marketing Communication
Since 2014 Florian Marte has been part of the T-Systems team. In his position as head of IoT Marketing Communication he is very familiar with all topics related to the Internet of Things. His articles for the blog are focussed on new developments and trends concerning connected devices and data analytics.
Florian Marte
Head of IoT Marketing Communication
Since 2014 Florian Marte has been part of the T-Systems team. In his position as head of IoT Marketing Communication he is very familiar with all topics related to the Internet of Things. His articles for the blog are focussed on new developments and trends concerning connected devices and data analytics.